Coolant Leak?

[ZGadson]

This morning I started my car and let it warm up for several minutes. When I went out to the garage, I heard a pop sound and the car immediately began to smoke like crazy and coolant sprayed all over the front of the engine. It sounded like a hose popping off somewhere, but I looked and didn't see any leaks, so I started it up again in hopes that I'd see where it was leaking, but nothing.

I had it checked out by Midas to see what happend, but the guy couldn't find anything wrong with it. He even said that the coolant level was almost exactly where it should be, but with all the coolant on the engine and garage floor, I don't see how that's possible.

I was able to drive it the 45 minutes to work on the highway without a problem, so I don't even know where to start looking for anything that could be screwed up.

[maxhopper]

It could be the radiator cap. I would have the system pressure tested. Aluminum engines don't hold up well to being over heated.

[ZGadson]

Nope. Cap is fine. And according to the temp gauge, it didn't overheat.

There is coolant all over the front left side of the engine near the water pump and drive belt. Would I be correct to assume that because I was able to make my hour long drive to work and back without issue, that the water pump is still working properly?

[maxhopper]

I would still get the system pressure tested.

I was leaking coolant, but couldn't find a leak (on my old engine). I had it pressure tested and found I was loosing coolant through either the #1 or #3 cylinder directly into the combustion chamber and through the exhaust.

Since I already had 171k miles on the motor and trans, and the labor to replace one head gasket is more than replacing the entire motor; I bought a used motor and VLSD transmission (out of a 98 I30t) with only 85k mile for $1250. I have done quite a few motor swaps in 4th gens so I knew what I was doing, and did the labor myself.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

See if there is oil in the antifreeze or antifreeze in the oil

You might be able to open the radiator cap and see ifthere are exhaust bubbles in the antifreeze while thecar is running. This might mean a bad head gasket.

[lightsout]

sounds like a HG

[Darktide]

a head gasket wouldn't have sprayed coolant all over the engine. For as cheap as they are just replace the radiator cap. It's a cheap place to start. Not to mention you can't say that a radiator cap is "fine" unless it gets pressure tested. Good luck

[ZGadson]

There was no coolant anywhere near the top of the engine, nor is there coolant leaking from the cap. For that matter, there is no coolant on the radiator at all - just some spray on the engine and a big puddle on top-side of the black plastic under carrige protector. I know enough to at least know its not the cap.