Radiator flush and change and a kaboom of fluid

[tristram77]

My X has been having some problems with the cooling system. I will look under the hood and the resavoir will be empty and open the radiator and see that it is low. then i will drive home to add some coolant and the resavoir is at the cold fill line and the radiator is fine.

Today i flushed it and and added some "Coastal stop leak/ seal rejuvinator" to it. Everything seemed grat. i folled the directions of all the products to a t. i then drove it about 15 miles and with it running but at a stom the resavoir was overflowing and pouring on the ground. I turned it off and popped the hood. looked and there was a full resavoir and it was pouring out. i then let it sit for a moment or two and drome about a half mile and popped the hood. the resavoir was empty. i took off the radiator cap and the radiator was low. so i let it sit for 30 minutes and drove another 15 miles. i get home and the resavoir has a bit of fluid in it and the pressure in the radiator is quite high.

Any suggestions?
The coastal stuff had may it sorta sudsy and was a little odd. it had the pellets in it that needed to be dissolved but as i said i folled the directions to a t.

 

[wpurple]

I don't recommend those conditioners/sealers, they seem to do more harm than anything.
I bet what happened is that the radiator you have has alot of mineral deposits and the sealer clogged alot f the channels. The pressure in the system caused the antifreeze to shoot out the overflow escape.
You might want to get a new radiator and use some radiator "flush" with plain water then fill with a good quality antifreeze.
Also, those sealers end up clogging the passageways on the heater core too, which is a real pain to change.

How old is the radiator? Look in it at the passages for mineral deposits. Looks like white coral.

 

[tristram77]

when i flushed it the first time i used some radiator flush. there was a bit of white mineral stuff in the overflow tank.
i think i need a new radiator. what i find odd is i will open the radiator and it will be low and the resavoir will be low then i drive and it will expand. i really can't figure it out at all.
i took it to the mechanic and he said he could not find anything wrong with it.

 

[Ross-N-Chicago]

what about your t stat? why not try replacing that and putting a new cap on as well. it will cost you all of $15 and may solve your problem. i agree on the radiator sealers--no good. don't use the super flush cleaners unless you run a couple of sessions of clean water through when you're done. those things have powerful agents that may cause gasket problems, especially head gaskets. ask me how i know this?? i cracked two heads with that crap.

 

[oahrens]

First....Do a cooling system pressure check.
Mine was the same way...Low in rad and res until it warmed up....Anyway the pressure test will locate any leaks...no leaks=probably cap or tstat.

 

[tristram77]

i am going to reflush the whole system tomorrow with good old water and then see. if it is still f'ed i will get the ol pressure test.

Once again the board hooks me up.