Coolant loss on freeway - what should I expect?
09-03-2017, 07:19 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Coolant loss on freeway - what should I expect?
A couple hours ago, I exited I5-SB at El Toro road, almost made it to the light, my engine died, and a bunch of steam started spewing from the deck lid. After getting a push to the gas station (in neutral) I called AAA, arranged for a flatbed tow to Callas Rennsport, and took a look in and under the back.
My accessory belt is shredded (and it was fine when I checked 2 months ago) and I have no coolant in the expansion tank.
I figure, best case scenario I need a new coolant pump (which is sitting in a box on my desk and was going to be tomorrow's project, of course), coolant lines (not sitting in a box on my desk), and belt (sitting in the box with the coolant pump).
There were no funny noises until a "thunk" on the off ramp, and it's been behaving beautifully for the couple thousand miles since my last oil change. I had the IMS Solution installed last fall so I'm not too worried about cam shenanigans.
What sort of additional damage might I be looking at?
My accessory belt is shredded (and it was fine when I checked 2 months ago) and I have no coolant in the expansion tank.
I figure, best case scenario I need a new coolant pump (which is sitting in a box on my desk and was going to be tomorrow's project, of course), coolant lines (not sitting in a box on my desk), and belt (sitting in the box with the coolant pump).
There were no funny noises until a "thunk" on the off ramp, and it's been behaving beautifully for the couple thousand miles since my last oil change. I had the IMS Solution installed last fall so I'm not too worried about cam shenanigans.
What sort of additional damage might I be looking at?
09-03-2017, 07:40 PM
#2
Burning Brakes
if this was a blown coolant res or hose your belt would be fine, did you closely watch your temp gauge prior to failure?
Guessing perhaps your water pump failed badly or maybe you ran over debris which shot up into the underside took out a hose and shredded the belt.
Guessing perhaps your water pump failed badly or maybe you ran over debris which shot up into the underside took out a hose and shredded the belt.
09-03-2017, 07:43 PM
#3
Instructor
Thread Starter
It was hovering around 180F every time I looked, including right when it stopped. What I don't know is *why* it stopped...
Here's hoping that's all it was!
Here's hoping that's all it was!
09-03-2017, 07:51 PM
#4
Do you have any engine codes? Any idea how long the car ran at max thermostat temp (~221F) after the belt went out? Do you know which coolant pipe failed?
I've had a coolant fountain in the engine compartment (February this year) but I pulled over and shut it down before the coolant dropped to the point of triggering the warning on the dash. My issue was a specific joint failure and relatively cheap to fix - at least before I learned the coil packs were cracked & flooded, causing misfires under throttle. An OBDII code reader was very helpful in limiting risk & getting it back healthy.
Another time when a belt was getting chewed up I noticed some funny idling & discovered the problem early. My belt was ruined thanks to a partially tightened tensioner pulley & the fix was $25 plus an elective replacement of the secondary tensioner pulley (changed from plastic to steel).
Neither of these things caused serious damage, but the coil packs & plugs needed replacement due to being old & compromised by coolant. The more information you can get, the better those more informed than me can help. gl
I've had a coolant fountain in the engine compartment (February this year) but I pulled over and shut it down before the coolant dropped to the point of triggering the warning on the dash. My issue was a specific joint failure and relatively cheap to fix - at least before I learned the coil packs were cracked & flooded, causing misfires under throttle. An OBDII code reader was very helpful in limiting risk & getting it back healthy.
Another time when a belt was getting chewed up I noticed some funny idling & discovered the problem early. My belt was ruined thanks to a partially tightened tensioner pulley & the fix was $25 plus an elective replacement of the secondary tensioner pulley (changed from plastic to steel).
Neither of these things caused serious damage, but the coil packs & plugs needed replacement due to being old & compromised by coolant. The more information you can get, the better those more informed than me can help. gl
09-03-2017, 08:00 PM
#5
Instructor
Thread Starter
Do you have any engine codes? Any idea how long the car ran at max thermostat temp (~221F) after the belt went out? Do you know which coolant pipe failed?
I've had a coolant fountain in the engine compartment (February this year) but I pulled over and shut it down before the coolant dropped to the point of triggering the warning on the dash. My issue was a specific joint failure and relatively cheap to fix - at least before I learned the coil packs were cracked & flooded, causing misfires under throttle. An OBDII code reader was very helpful in limiting risk & getting it back healthy.
Another time when a belt was getting chewed up I noticed some funny idling & discovered the problem early. My belt was ruined thanks to a partially tightened tensioner pulley & the fix was $25 plus an elective replacement of the secondary tensioner pulley (changed from plastic to steel).
Neither of these things caused serious damage, but the coil packs & plugs needed replacement due to being old & compromised by coolant. The more information you can get, the better those more informed than me can help. gl
I've had a coolant fountain in the engine compartment (February this year) but I pulled over and shut it down before the coolant dropped to the point of triggering the warning on the dash. My issue was a specific joint failure and relatively cheap to fix - at least before I learned the coil packs were cracked & flooded, causing misfires under throttle. An OBDII code reader was very helpful in limiting risk & getting it back healthy.
Another time when a belt was getting chewed up I noticed some funny idling & discovered the problem early. My belt was ruined thanks to a partially tightened tensioner pulley & the fix was $25 plus an elective replacement of the secondary tensioner pulley (changed from plastic to steel).
Neither of these things caused serious damage, but the coil packs & plugs needed replacement due to being old & compromised by coolant. The more information you can get, the better those more informed than me can help. gl
No idea which pipe or anything - it wasn't one of the ones I could see.
Sorry I don't have much information - this caught me quite flat-footed.
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09-03-2017, 10:50 PM
#8
Rennlist Member
09-03-2017, 11:17 PM
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
Tony did my IMSS; I saw no reason to find someone else to work with since he's local.
Honestly the timing is pretty good; I'm on business travel for the next couple weeks so I don't need the car then anyway.
Honestly the timing is pretty good; I'm on business travel for the next couple weeks so I don't need the car then anyway.
09-05-2017, 03:35 PM
#10
Burning Brakes
My guess is:
1. Your water pup seized which shredded the belt.
2. The thunk was the shredded belt hitting things in the engine bay.
3. The coolant is down because it leaked/blew out via the shaft and weep hole of the pump.
1. Your water pup seized which shredded the belt.
2. The thunk was the shredded belt hitting things in the engine bay.
3. The coolant is down because it leaked/blew out via the shaft and weep hole of the pump.
09-15-2017, 04:10 PM
#11
Instructor
Thread Starter
Update!
1) Water pump bearing failed and impeller fell to pieces.
2) Belt got all sorts of caught on errything.
3) The car stopped because voltage dropped too low for the spark plugs to fire.
4) They were able to find all the pieces of impeller right there in the cavity.
5) Hoses etc are fine.
Phew!
1) Water pump bearing failed and impeller fell to pieces.
2) Belt got all sorts of caught on errything.
3) The car stopped because voltage dropped too low for the spark plugs to fire.
4) They were able to find all the pieces of impeller right there in the cavity.
5) Hoses etc are fine.
Phew!
09-15-2017, 04:33 PM
#12
Update!
1) Water pump bearing failed and impeller fell to pieces.
2) Belt got all sorts of caught on errything.
3) The car stopped because voltage dropped too low for the spark plugs to fire.
4) They were able to find all the pieces of impeller right there in the cavity.
5) Hoses etc are fine.
Phew!
1) Water pump bearing failed and impeller fell to pieces.
2) Belt got all sorts of caught on errything.
3) The car stopped because voltage dropped too low for the spark plugs to fire.
4) They were able to find all the pieces of impeller right there in the cavity.
5) Hoses etc are fine.
Phew!
09-15-2017, 05:56 PM
#15
Rennlist Member
Glad to hear it was just a parts failure and no more.