Bubbling Coolant + Coolant Level Light + Losing Coolant = ???

SkullV · #1 (**permalink**) 08-21-09, 04:15 AM

Hey everyone, got a question for all of you about my girlfriends car.

After the car is shut off I notice a bubbling in the coolant coming from both the reservoir and the center of the motor (oil cooler?). I also noticed that after filling up the reservoir the low coolant (radiator) light comes on after about a 20 minute drive. I originally thought the oil cooler was screwed up or she blew a head gasket but there is no coolant in the oil, no oil in the coolant resivour, the oil pressure is fine at idle and a little high at WOT (what should it be?), and the car does not overheat at all, and after about 1000 miles of driving mostly short 10-30 minute trips there is no milky goo on the oil cap. The car seems to run fine other then this problem.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

SkullV · #2 (**permalink**) 08-21-09, 04:24 PM

anyone? Could it be as simple as a bad radiator (reservoir) cap letter the fluid boil and steam out?

Army_MP_From_MO · #3 (**permalink**) 08-21-09, 08:41 PM

I'm no mechanic, but I'll give you my thoughts. If the car is not overheating then the coolant shouldn't boil. It sounds like air is getting into the system and pushing the coolant out. I have no idea what WOT means so no ideas there.

SkullV · #4 (**permalink**) 08-22-09, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army_MP_From_MO

I'm no mechanic, but I'll give you my thoughts. If the car is not overheating then the coolant shouldn't boil. It sounds like air is getting into the system and pushing the coolant out. I have no idea what WOT means so no ideas there.

WOT=Wide Open Throttle

How would air get into the system? Like I said, no oil in the coolant no coolant in the oil. Oil level is good and does not rise like it would with a blown head gasket.

SkullV · #5 (**permalink**) 08-23-09, 02:39 AM

Anyone?

R-Caddy · #6 (**permalink**) 08-23-09, 02:42 PM

Have you checked the Heater valve yet?

mat300z · #7 (**permalink**) 08-24-09, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkullV

WOT=Wide Open Throttle

How would air get into the system? Like I said, no oil in the coolant no coolant in the oil. Oil level is good and does not rise like it would with a blown head gasket.

It does sound like the head gasket...Compression getting into the coolant causing it to boil. It will only get oil in the coolant when the gasket cracks between the jackets. Look for white smoke coming out the back. Open the coolant cap and see if your getting bubbles while throttling the engine up. My guess is the next problem you will have is a leak starting from the head to the outside of the engine. When the smoke out the exhaust turns blue then the gasket has started to seep oil into the combustion chamber.

mat300z · #8 (**permalink**) 08-26-09, 11:20 AM

I would bet that you have a blown head gasket with compression leaking into the coolant water jackets. The gasket is failing so far only on the water side. But I would bet that soon it will either start mixing with the oil jackets or start leaking externally.