Car overheated AFTER i added antifreeze?

(2010-05-30 11:45:06)

1. twhite Says: i purchased a 91 caprice classic from a private owner and the overflow was empty so i added a 50/50. As soon i drove it the temperature climbed into the red and the light came on. i thought might have had an air bubble so i went out this morning to bleed but as i added antifreeze to the tank it ran out from the bottom of my car like a faucet. What happened to make it over heat once i filled the overflow and did i crack the radiator or could i possibly just have a hole in my hose?

2. Danger Mouse Is My Hero Says: Find the leak and you have found your problem.

3. bandit_60 Says: better check the radiator after it cools down.probably the radiator pulled the anti-freeze from the reservoir into the radiator and the radiator is,nt full yet. fill the radiator then fill the reservoir between the add and full marks.

4. nora_ewen Says: there are a numerous things that could be wrong,

*the plug in radiator may not be in
*you may have a bad hose
*could be water pump
*could have hole in radiator
*might be thermostate
*check hoses first, then pour water into radiator and look to see if it is coming out of a hose or the radiator if not then it ould be water pump or thermostat, but thermostat is usually the last to check I think it is the water pump. Been through this before.

5. Paul Says: "19 Years Old and do you know the maintenance History?" {Doesn't sound like the Cooling System has been maintained} Does the Overflow Tank Look Rusty? [May need to try to flush/Clean it] 1; Install New Radiator Cap, 2; Check and Replace Both Radiator Hoses & Clamps, 3; Remove & throw away Old Thermostat, 4; Flush/Boil Out Cooling System, 5; Install New Thermostat & New Coolant (50%-50% Anti-Freeze & Clean water) 6; Check to make sure the Fans are working Properly {Radiator Fan Cycles as engine Heats & Cools, A/C Condenser Fan comes on & Stays on with A/C}, Surface of Radiator in Clean & Fins are Straight for Best Airflow. [do you smell Exhaust in the Radiator? Yes, Possible Blown Head Gasket "Can cause Overheating"]

6. hanYu Says: Antifreeze is not the problem. Check the radiator fan, whether it as working. Check the thermostat, the water should be seen flowing when engine is warmed up. You have to remove the cap to look at the flow, and do this while the engine is still cool.

7. Michael Says: Lots of possibilities but I think you have a hole in a hose. It is not unusual for overheated engines to pump coolant into the reservoir as the coolant in the engine starts to boil - the steam pressure is responsible for that.

Finding the leak and fixing it is the key to getting you back on the road.