How bad can it be?

[creophus]

I think my car over heated because the upper radiator hose came loose. I was running the stock KA radiator and I never had a problem with it running hot as long as the hose stayed connected.

Well I'm driving along at highway speeds, not pushing it too hard and when I get off the expressway I see smoke. The temp gauge didn't go up, but when I stopped there was smoke everywhere. The car also felt like it was loosing power. The plastic coupling on the endtank had broken and that's why the hose worked it self off. I had it towed home and when I filled the radiator I noticed a bad leak around the water pump. I don't know if its just the seal around the water pump, but I'm prepared to replace it if necessary when I get a new aluminum radiator.

My question is...how bad can this be? Do you think that it's possible that I warped the head or blow a headgasket? I started it up just fine for a few seconds and there was no smoke, but again, there's a bad leak around the water pump, so I don't know if it has enough coolant in the head to smoke.

What should I plan on replacing other than water pump and radiator? I already have dual electric fans...that's why it stayed cool with the stock radiator. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

[MiniR34]

With overheating, there's always the possibility of warped head.

Best thing to do is to get a cylinder leakage test, but you can also look for coolant in your oil, oil in your coolant, or white smoke out your tailpipe.

[creophus]

I should check for those after the water pump and radiator get replaced right?

[MiniR34]

If you have the equipment, you can do the cylinder leakage test whether or not the water pump is fixed. You can also check for oil in coolant and coolant in oil right now.

If you have to drive your car somewhere to get it checked, then it'll be better to get the water pump fixed so you don't spill coolant all over the road.

[NISTECH]

it sounds like your system over pressurized and blew the hose off the radiator and blew the water pump seal.The smoke was likely a result of the coolant blowing all over the exhuast when the hose blew. Replace the rad cap,t-stat, waterpump and fill it up and see how it does. This is providing there is no coolant in the oil.

[creophus]

Thanks guys. I'll do that and hopefully I'll be one step closer to having a stout SR

[creophus]

I have an opportunity to get a Nismo thermostat(170 degree) for $54.40 plus shipping.

Is it a good idea to get this thermostat or a stock one? I live in Tampa, FL and its hot most of the time. And does this sound like a good price?