S3TH

iTrader: (2)

After a sprited drive yesterday i could smell coolant, also noticed the odd plume of steam coming from under the bonnet drivers side. Popped the bonnet to have a look and saw a few white crystaline deposits on the slam panel and surrounding areas. Could not see an obvious split in any of the hoses though.

However, the top radiator hose is absoultely huge, its has bulged and swollen and is pressing against surrounding pipes etc. Darent let the pressure out in case the hose bursts.

Have ordered up a new hose, but could this be the sign of headgasket problems?

thoughts?

S3TH

iTrader: (2)

anyone?

S3TH

iTrader: (2)

50 views, no ideas?

WHYAYEGTI

Radiator Blocked/Airlocked?

Why not take it to a reputable garage and get them to pressure test it?

Thanks
Gavin

S3TH

iTrader: (2)

hmmm didnt consider radiator, think is what would cause it to block become airlocked in the first place? again back to suspect headgasket failure?

Garage are going to fit new hose then pressure test it next week.

mag6/4

may be that the reinforcments in the hose have got damaged due to age

S3TH

iTrader: (2)

well after it had cooled down, started up popped bonnet. Revved it a few times and with each rev the hose grew LMFAO, was swelling up like someone getting a boner.

Fuzz

any signs of oily film on the surface of the water when you look under the pressure cap on the expansion tank.

Andy

S3TH

iTrader: (2)

will have a look tommorow when its light. I did however unscrew the cap (with tea towel over it lol) earlier to let some pressure out after it had sat still for a while. the coolant that came out was like new, have only done about a 1000 miles since it was changed.

worth taking oil filler cap off and looking for mayonaise also?

thanks for all your posts today btw fuzz

Fuzz

didn't evan realise I was talking to the same person, never noticed lol.

oil in water or water in oil are all sure signs of H gasket gone to chocolate.

Just a blockage in rad wouldn't cause the "ballooning effect on it's own as the water "pump" doesn't create pressure as such, just flow..

Andy

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

From that i would say head gasget, Sounds like emisions getting into the cooling system,

harvey

iTrader: (48)

The hose is pregnant.

When the hose is old it will often swell before letting go eventually. Quite natural because the system works on pressure. typically around .8 bar.
Replace the hose immediately before you do any damage from a loss of coolant and keep an eye on the coolant for a day or two.
I hope all is well for you.

Fuzz

Harvey,

Did you miss this post by the thread starter.
That, now confirms to me, it's not just the hose but combustion gas getting in and pressurising the system.
I was about to jump on harveys post about the system working on pressure but I see where he's coming from now, when the engine heats, up pressure is created by the expanding water and gases in the water jacket, this of course is regulated by the cap, but for it to create pressure instantaneously with the throttle, that says combustion is playing a part.


Andy

Andy

S3TH

iTrader: (2)

Nooooooooooooooooo!! im going to cry now!

FB Tuning

iTrader: (30)

For peace of mind, I would...
1 - As stated above...Replace the offending hose.
2 - Get the car to a garage who can test a sample of your coolant for the presence of exhaust gases ( indicating Hd Gskt.)

Good luck

Richard

Darbo_wrx

engine out to replace the headgaskets
by far the easyest way

Fuzz

by far the ONLY way

Andy

harvey

iTrader: (48)

I didn't miss anything. Replace the hose and see what happens. It needs replacing anyway. As Fiesta Boy said you can get the coolant checked for exhaust gas.

harvey

iTrader: (48)

Any developments with your pregnant hose?

S3TH

iTrader: (2)

Just waiting on sourcing a hose, think i may have one, then garage is going to fit it and do pressure testing etc.

wrxfox

sorry to butt in .i get a litle mayo in the top of the oil filler pipe from time to time but the coolant seems perfect and dosn't blow bubbles when revving the engine + no film. and on changing the oil the oil looks fine could the head gaskets be leaking slightly or would it still show up in the coolant .the engines only done 2k after rebuild with new gaskets and head studs .also would it be worth rechecking stud torques while changing to fully synth as on last part of running in?

Dyney

I've seen 3 top hoses go this way!!

None of the cars had head gasket or rad problems!!

The hose was just old thankfully