Is This Normal??? Coolant Drip

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited July 2012 in HUDSON
Got the Pacemaker started after by-passing the heater core. Engine warmed up well, temp reading climbed to about 3/4 and held for a bit then dropped as the thermostat opened. And I let it idle for another 10 minutes.

After I shut it off and climbed out, I heard a "pssssh" and found coolant was dripping out of the over flow tube (into my safety bucket). So a few questions....

1) Is this normal as I work out any remaining trapped air that may get hot and expand?
2) Is my 7lb cap bad?
3) Does this indicate a deeper, more concerning issue?

Note: Before I did work on the car, it was overheating right away (lose head bolts, #1 & #3) and putting exhaust gases into the cooling system.
I also double checked the head bolt torque of a few and all were right on at 75lbs with the engine warm.

Comments

  • Snailslayer
    Snailslayer Expert Adviser
    Head gasket leaking is my guess. Is it foamy?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    No foam just a short burst of coolant getting pushed out past the radiator cap.
  • ernie28
    ernie28 Expert Adviser
    edited July 2012
    From my experience, when an engine is turned off, the a combination of residual heat of the engine and no cooling from the radiator this does tend to increase the water temp for a short while. If the radiator was a bit fuller than it needed to be, the extra heat would expand the water and force some out. Usually when a radiator has found its natural level (maybe 1/2" or so below the top) there is no longer a problem - assuming all else is OK in the engine dept.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    edited July 2012
    Over filled!!! We have a winner!!! I figured it to be trapped air bubbles because I was a quart shy of the 17 needed to fill the system and I had air in the upper hose.

    So I will drain a pint from the bottom and see how that works.

    Thanks!!!!!!!! Do I need to be concerned that the upper hose is very squishy as in not a lot of coolant into before I start the engine?
  • ernie28
    ernie28 Expert Adviser
    The top hose sould be fine as long as the core is well covered. The hose will firm up as the pressure builds.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Yes, what Ken said is right. It sounds as though the radiator was over-filled. If you hook up an overflow tank (as on a newer car), then the excess would fill into the overflow tank and not out on the ground.

    Squishy hose on the top is o.k., but a collapsed lower hose will result in too hot an engine/engine failure (can't cool efficiently). This will happen if: 1) There was no spring in the lower radiator hose to begin with, or 2) The spring has corroded and failed due to age, or lack of use. In other words, keep an eye on it, if you don't know the history of the hoses.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    All new Upper and Lower Hoses (including the steel section). The lowers are fairly stiff. I got them from one of the Hudson members that sells them.

    Any body have pictures of a catch can/overflow tank add to a Hudson? I live in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the fines are very heavy for even the littlest spills.
  • GrimGreaser
    GrimGreaser Senior Contributor
    I don't know if Hudson had an accessory over flow... But I do enjoy showing mine off. You could get a 'period' look with a big Mason jar.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Now that's funny right there.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Coolant recovery systems came along a bit after the Hudson era. Here's one I just got from PeP Boys, as my old one was looking pretty ratty. Note that one has to use a radiator cap intended for a recovery system, and I think the radiator neck also. Years ago when I had the radiator re-cored, the shop installed a Mustang neck on it for this reason.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Park, Did the wire cage come with the bottle? I like the look, even it is not 100% OEM - there something to be said for not leaving coolant drops all over the place.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Yes, the wire cage was included.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    edited July 2012
    Do you happen to remember a part number or anything that would help me order one?
  • GrimGreaser
    GrimGreaser Senior Contributor
    edited July 2012
    Here's what Autozone has: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Dorman-Universal-coolant-reservoir/_/N-256p?itemIdentifier=183497_0_0_

    Advance: http://m.advanceautoparts.com/mt/shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Coolant-Return-Kit-for-Larger-Size-Vehicles-Interdynamics_6010253-P_N3052_A|GRP2014______ Advance has several - search 'coolant recovery'

    pricier option: http://m.summitracing.com/parts/mrg-9133
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    P500, I don't know about a part nr ... I just got it at the store. It was the only one that was for universal applications vs. a particular car model.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Park, Thanks. GrimGreaser posted a link for a universal as well from Autozone. There is a PepBoys about 20 minutes from here so I will take a ride up there this week.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    GrimGreaser, Thank you for the links. They help.
  • MikeWA
    MikeWA Senior Contributor
    edited July 2012
    Greaser,
    Only way yours could look any better would be bending a couple of coils in that copper before it goes in the Jack bottle! I like it!
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