Coolant explosion

**QC97Z** · 09-24-2009, 06:22 PM

Hey all-

I just got home from work about 20 minutes ago. I pulled into the parking lot at my apartment, car's been running fine, and I shut the car down. Temp was about 210-220, normal every day temp...
Then before I get out, I hear a "poof" type noise, then steam coming out from under the hood...
Coolant everywhere. On the ground, in the engine bay, etc.
It's still too hot to touch anything right now, and I can't see anything obvious (hoses blown off, etc). A friend of mine has a 96 and said he had the same issue. The bottom passenger's side hose that comes off the water pump has a plastic coupling on it for some reason, and his ruptured.
FYI, put a new water pump on it last summer (not reman) and a new factory replacement thermostat.
Any thoughts as to what it could be, anyone else go through the same problem?
I'm going to head out in about another 30 minutes or so and hope to be able to feel around, start it, look for leaking coolant, etc.
Thanks in advance for the help
-Brett-

**86LT1** · 09-24-2009, 06:32 PM

Just look around I'm sure you will find it, its more than likely what your expecting.. a ruptured coolant hose.

***Fastbird*** · 09-24-2009, 07:12 PM

Most likely a ruptured hose. Just let it cool, find and fix the problem. Most likely NOT a big issue other than the mess.

**QC97Z** · 09-25-2009, 06:15 PM

Update:

Lower radiator hose (pass. side) blew off. both hoses at the radiator still have POS spring clamps on them. All others have been replaced.
I was talking to my parts guy on the phone and mentioned that the same hose that blew off has also collapsed before. He mentioned the possibility of a radiator blockage. I hooked up the hose on one end of the radiator, came flowing right out the other side just as well as it went in and vice versa.
I'm replacing that hose tomorrow morning and may put in another T-stat. Even though the thermostat was new last year, it could have stuck closed...
Anyone have other thoughts? I wonder why it would build up so much pressure if there wasn't a blockage somewhere.....

**MEAN LT1** · 09-26-2009, 09:04 AM

I wouldnt put too much thought into it especially if its not a new hose. Just make sure the opti is dry and put a new hose on there and you sould be ok. Dont overthink the problem, probably just normal were and tear.

**Tarheel'Z'** · 09-26-2009, 06:46 PM

am i the only one that doesnt have a normal everyday operating temp of 210-220,,i thought normal was more like 180-190

not trying to scare ya op just thought i missed something

***popo8*** · 09-26-2009, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by Tarheel'Z'

am i the only one that doesnt have a normal everyday operating temp of 210-220,,i thought normal was more like 180-190

not trying to scare ya op just thought i missed something

Im in the 180 range... NON STOP. if it is a 100deg day then.... i may hit 200... but thats TOPS....

**QC97Z** · 09-26-2009, 11:48 PM

Update:

Bought a new radiator hose (the one that blew off), new thermostat, and new low coolant sensor (even though that POS was new last year too).
Yesterday, my dad stopped over with a few hose clamps and about a half gallon of dex-cool. We got it running and took it to his house (i don't have a garage). Today, after it was all cooled down, I popped the hood and saw that both radiator hoses were collapsed. I opened the radiator cap (also new), and the hoses un-collapsed (system had a vacuum). The radiator was about 2/3 full.
I have 2 questions:
1) Am I getting collapsed hoses because the system wasn't completely full?
2) Am I bleeding the system wrong? I open the bleeders while filling, replace the cap, then start it and let them stay open until i have a steady stream coming out of them for more than a few seconds. Usually doesn't happen until the engine is at about 180-ish.