Ack, leaking green fluid + stinky smoke

Joined
19 November 2002
Messages
699
Location
Redmond, WA, USA
Sitting in the shade with the engine running while I was looking up a number on my cell phone, I noticed a growing "ork Ork ORK" sound (kinda like a barking seal) and looked around to see what it was. When I saw a cloud of smoke coming out of the engine compartment, I clued in an killed the engine. The sound continued for another 20 seconds or so, slowly dying off.

I got out and saw a small river of green fluid flowing away from under the driver's side of the engine. The smoke smelled like burning and sweet at the same time, kinda gross.

I assumed it was radiator fluid leaking out of a blown hose and boiling/burning on hot metal. No idea whatt the "ork ork ork" sound was or why it kept going after I killed the engine, but it couldn't be a good thing.

So I let it fully cool and then turned it back on very briefly just to check oil pressure... somewhat low but present, normal temperature. No noise from the engine during that time, must only happen when it's on long enough to overheat.

I'm guessing this is as simple as a blown hose. Can't be a cracked radiator since the fluid wasn't coming from the front. If anyone has any other possible issues I should be aware of, I'd appreciate the feedback so I know what to talk to the service department about tomorrow.

Thanks...


PS: On the bright side, I had to go in for my 82k service and new tires anyway.
 
I think your guess is correct:). Have ALL the hoses inspected and replace as required. To be 100% complete you can change all 22.

HTH,
LarryB
 
Ork ...ork.........................

Yes, thats the overpressurevalve in the coolant bottle cap.
The coolant is very likely comming from your overflowtube, which is connected to the top of your coolantbottle (the very small one, which runs to the front, inbetween the bottle and the body). You can pull this one out, to see if it is 'wet' on the end.

Get a proffesional diagnose very soon.

I had this recently, the same thing. I happened because of the well known coolantbottle-failure, i just didn't know.
I the end, i had to replace my headgaskets. :eek:



Mich
 
Hi Mich!!

Oh, that would be sad:( . I hope it is a hose!!


Thanks,
LarryB
 
Just got a call back from the service department. Turns out it was a bad relay and the fan wasn't always turning on, so the engine was overheating and the increased pressure was forcing coolant out of the overflow and making the aforementioned "ork" sounds.

They checked the pressure in all the hoses and found no problems, so I'm assuming that fact, along with the fact that the only escape the fluid could find when the engine overheated was via the overflow, means the hoses must be in reasonably good shape.

Thanks for the info, it's always nice to know that what they tell me meshes with what you guys know.

I'm just glad I had occasion to sit still long enough with the engine on that it showed itself in a big way that was easily fixable before it slowly screwed up my engine in little ways.
 
Back
Top