how quickly does engine overheat upon coolant loss?

I was driving home the other day and my car first shows "low coolant" light. Well I figured it needs a top up, which I will do at the earliest opportunity. I mean come on, it was freezing cold where I live this time of year and I am not just going to get out of the car, open the trunk grab the spare coolants and pop the hood and do all that responsible thing. Besides I have seen "low coolant" light before and most of the times it will go away. So anyway I kept driving and 20 minutes or so later the darn light is still on. I was very worried now, but only a short distance or so away from home, I decided to make a run for it. Well next thing I know the "temp" light came on. I knew this is big trouble and tried to pull over as soon as possible which is about 3 to 5 minutes later (after the temp light came on) when I found a nice parking lot to pull into.

I stopped and waited for about 30 minutes before pouring anything into the rad. as those books say u don't want to put any cold fluid into the engine when its hot.

Anyway, to my surprise, when I start pouring the antifreeze-water mix into the radiator, I heard a SPLASH on the ground. LOL. All the coolant poured into the rad went right onto the pavement below. I took a flashlight to have a look and you guessed it, the lower radiator hose has came off at the bottom pipe to the radiator, although it is still hooked on hte otherside to the engine.

By the way I just had a brand new Modine radiator put in by my mechanics a few weeks ago but I haven't driven the car very much lately, and had it parked in the garage for most of the time.

I had the car towed back to the mechanic shop and had him take a look at it again to see why the thing came off. He told me that the parts i brought him (all new Modine rad, upper and lower hose and clamps) is of low quality which is why the hose didn't stays on the rad properly. And by the way I was going to do it myself that's why I bought the parts, but its too cold here and I decided to have the mechanic do it instead.

Anyway he re-tightens the hoses and every thing, put new coolant in and I am driving my car again.

My BIGGEST concerns now though is whether or not the engine actually overheated and damage anything that I am not aware of.? Should I have it thoroughly checked? or can I take my chance and drive this thing without any worry? Its winter now in Canada and its cold, I don't want to be stuck on the highway in some far-flung corner of the province.

Should I go and buy a set of GM made radiator hoses from the dealer and have my mechanic replace with the ones currently in my car which although new was bought from Canadian Tire our discount parts store here? I had checked the hose to see that it stayed on after I come home every time now, just to be sure.

How quick will the engine overheat when the temp light comes on? Or does it overheat as soon as the "low coolant" light comes on?

Reply to
Sam Kaan
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how quickly does engine overheat upon coolant loss? Group: alt.autos.gm Date: Sun, Jan 11, 2004, 6:49am (CST+6) From: snipped-for-privacy@rogersNOSPAM.com (Sam=A0Kaan) I was driving home the other day and my car first shows "low coolant" light. Well I figured it needs a top up, which I will do at the earliest opportunity. I mean come on, it was freezing cold where I live this time of year and I am not just going to get out of the car, open the trunk grab the spare coolants and pop the hood and do all that responsible thing. Besides I have seen "low coolant" light before and most of the times it will go away. So anyway I kept driving and 20 minutes or so later the darn light is still on. I was very worried now, but only a short distance or so away from home, I decided to make a run for it. Well next thing I know the "temp" light came on. I knew this is big trouble and tried to pull over as soon as possible which is about 3 to 5 minutes later (after the temp light came on) when I found a nice parking lot to pull into. I stopped and waited for about 30 minutes before pouring anything into the rad. as those books say u don't want to put any cold fluid into the engine when its hot. Anyway, to my surprise, when I start pouring the antifreeze-water mix into the radiator, I heard a SPLASH on the ground. LOL. All the coolant poured into the rad went right onto the pavement below. I took a flashlight to have a look and you guessed it, the lower radiator hose has came off at the bottom pipe to the radiator, although it is still hooked on hte otherside to the engine. By the way I just had a brand new Modine radiator put in by my mechanics a few weeks ago but I haven't driven the car very much lately, and had it parked in the garage for most of the time. I had the car towed back to the mechanic shop and had him take a look at it again to see why the thing came off. He told me that the parts i brought him (all new Modine rad, upper and lower hose and clamps) is of low quality which is why the hose didn't stays on the rad properly. And by the way I was going to do it myself that's why I bought the parts, but its too cold here and I decided to have the mechanic do it instead. Anyway he re-tightens the hoses and every thing, put new coolant in and I am driving my car again. My BIGGEST concerns now though is whether or not the engine actually overheated and damage anything that I am not aware of.? Should I have it thoroughly checked? or can I take my chance and drive this thing without any worry? =A0 Its winter now in Canada and its cold, I don't want to be stuck on the highway in some far-flung corner of the province. Should I go and buy a set of GM made radiator hoses from the dealer and have my mechanic replace with the ones currently in my car which although new was bought from Canadian Tire our discount parts store here? I had checked the hose to see that it stayed on after I come home every time now, just to be sure. How quick will the engine overheat when the temp light comes on? Or does it overheat as soon as the "low coolant" light comes on?

Sounds to me like your backyard mechanic just forgot to tighten the clamp down all the way.And when the pressure really built up then it blew the hose off..If he really thought they were gonna be a problem he would of told you before he put them on....Now when the temp light came on you got to figure the was no coolant in the system...Thus meaning it will get real hot real quick.. Alot quicker if say you had coolant in the system.My concern is hot hot did it really get are you sure it didnt mess the head up? Good luck Steve C

Reply to
Steve Cook

"Steve Cook" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@storefull-2211.public.lawson.webtv.net...

how quickly does engine overheat upon coolant loss?

Group: alt.autos.gm Date: Sun, Jan 11, 2004, 6:49am (CST+6) From: snipped-for-privacy@rogersNOSPAM.com (Sam Kaan) I was driving home the other day and my car first shows "low coolant" light. Well I figured it needs a top up, which I will do at the earliest opportunity. I mean come on, it was freezing cold where I live this time of year and I am not just going to get out of the car, open the trunk grab the spare coolants and pop the hood and do all that responsible thing. Besides I have seen "low coolant" light before and most of the times it will go away. So anyway I kept driving and 20 minutes or so later the darn light is still on. I was very worried now, but only a short distance or so away from home, I decided to make a run for it. Well next thing I know the "temp" light came on. I knew this is big trouble and tried to pull over as soon as possible which is about 3 to 5 minutes later (after the temp light came on) when I found a nice parking lot to pull into. I stopped and waited for about 30 minutes before pouring anything into the rad. as those books say u don't want to put any cold fluid into the engine when its hot. Anyway, to my surprise, when I start pouring the antifreeze-water mix into the radiator, I heard a SPLASH on the ground. LOL. All the coolant poured into the rad went right onto the pavement below. I took a flashlight to have a look and you guessed it, the lower radiator hose has came off at the bottom pipe to the radiator, although it is still hooked on hte otherside to the engine. By the way I just had a brand new Modine radiator put in by my mechanics a few weeks ago but I haven't driven the car very much lately, and had it parked in the garage for most of the time. I had the car towed back to the mechanic shop and had him take a look at it again to see why the thing came off. He told me that the parts i brought him (all new Modine rad, upper and lower hose and clamps) is of low quality which is why the hose didn't stays on the rad properly. And by the way I was going to do it myself that's why I bought the parts, but its too cold here and I decided to have the mechanic do it instead. Anyway he re-tightens the hoses and every thing, put new coolant in and I am driving my car again. My BIGGEST concerns now though is whether or not the engine actually overheated and damage anything that I am not aware of.? Should I have it thoroughly checked? or can I take my chance and drive this thing without any worry? Its winter now in Canada and its cold, I don't want to be stuck on the highway in some far-flung corner of the province. Should I go and buy a set of GM made radiator hoses from the dealer and have my mechanic replace with the ones currently in my car which although new was bought from Canadian Tire our discount parts store here? I had checked the hose to see that it stayed on after I come home every time now, just to be sure. How quick will the engine overheat when the temp light comes on? Or does it overheat as soon as the "low coolant" light comes on?

Sounds to me like your backyard mechanic just forgot to tighten the clamp down all the way.And when the pressure really built up then it blew the hose off..If he really thought they were gonna be a problem he would of told you before he put them on....Now when the temp light came on you got to figure the was no coolant in the system...Thus meaning it will get real hot real quick.. Alot quicker if say you had coolant in the system.My concern is hot hot did it really get are you sure it didnt mess the head up? Good luck Steve C

I wonder if there might still be coolant in the engine block because when the rad runs out, the pump would effectively be pumping empty air so there is no pressure for it to push the remaining coolant out of the block. Could be that the stagnant coolant in the block would still be there, stagnant and very hot. You are right, I hope there is no cylinder head problem.

Reply to
Sam Kaan

"Steve Cook" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@storefull-2211.public.lawson.webtv.net...

how quickly does engine overheat upon coolant loss?

Group: alt.autos.gm Date: Sun, Jan 11, 2004, 6:49am (CST+6) From: snipped-for-privacy@rogersNOSPAM.com (Sam Kaan) I was driving home the other day and my car first shows "low coolant" light. Well I figured it needs a top up, which I will do at the earliest opportunity. I mean come on, it was freezing cold where I live this time of year and I am not just going to get out of the car, open the trunk grab the spare coolants and pop the hood and do all that responsible thing. Besides I have seen "low coolant" light before and most of the times it will go away. So anyway I kept driving and 20 minutes or so later the darn light is still on. I was very worried now, but only a short distance or so away from home, I decided to make a run for it. Well next thing I know the "temp" light came on. I knew this is big trouble and tried to pull over as soon as possible which is about 3 to 5 minutes later (after the temp light came on) when I found a nice parking lot to pull into. I stopped and waited for about 30 minutes before pouring anything into the rad. as those books say u don't want to put any cold fluid into the engine when its hot. Anyway, to my surprise, when I start pouring the antifreeze-water mix into the radiator, I heard a SPLASH on the ground. LOL. All the coolant poured into the rad went right onto the pavement below. I took a flashlight to have a look and you guessed it, the lower radiator hose has came off at the bottom pipe to the radiator, although it is still hooked on hte otherside to the engine. By the way I just had a brand new Modine radiator put in by my mechanics a few weeks ago but I haven't driven the car very much lately, and had it parked in the garage for most of the time. I had the car towed back to the mechanic shop and had him take a look at it again to see why the thing came off. He told me that the parts i brought him (all new Modine rad, upper and lower hose and clamps) is of low quality which is why the hose didn't stays on the rad properly. And by the way I was going to do it myself that's why I bought the parts, but its too cold here and I decided to have the mechanic do it instead. Anyway he re-tightens the hoses and every thing, put new coolant in and I am driving my car again. My BIGGEST concerns now though is whether or not the engine actually overheated and damage anything that I am not aware of.? Should I have it thoroughly checked? or can I take my chance and drive this thing without any worry? Its winter now in Canada and its cold, I don't want to be stuck on the highway in some far-flung corner of the province. Should I go and buy a set of GM made radiator hoses from the dealer and have my mechanic replace with the ones currently in my car which although new was bought from Canadian Tire our discount parts store here? I had checked the hose to see that it stayed on after I come home every time now, just to be sure. How quick will the engine overheat when the temp light comes on? Or does it overheat as soon as the "low coolant" light comes on?

Sounds to me like your backyard mechanic just forgot to tighten the clamp down all the way.And when the pressure really built up then it blew the hose off..If he really thought they were gonna be a problem he would of told you before he put them on....Now when the temp light came on you got to figure the was no coolant in the system...Thus meaning it will get real hot real quick.. Alot quicker if say you had coolant in the system.My concern is hot hot did it really get are you sure it didnt mess the head up? Good luck Steve C

By the way he is not a backyard mechanic. Its a real shop with the hoist and equipments and everything.

Reply to
Sam Kaan

Bad idea.

REALLY bad idea.

He's full of it. They forgot to tighten the clamp on the hose.

Have the system pressure tested and run a block check. If it runs fine and those tests are OK, you got lucky.

-- GW - Conservational Ergonomist - note incorrect email address

Reply to
Geoff Welsh

What exactly is involved in a pressure test and block check?

Reply to
Sam Kaan

-- GW - Conservational Ergonomist - note incorrect email address "It's good to yell at people and tell them you're from Tennessee. That way you'll be safe." - Gary Busey

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Reply to
Geoff Welsh

Well, I don't mean to be critical, but really, you could be more certain of what's going on if you pop the hood every once in a while and check your fluid levels. This can be easily done at home, preferably in the relative warmth of your garage, and then do fluid top-offs WHEN you do those checks. That way when such a light comes on, you KNOW something is wrong, and don't just drive along guessing that it's a minor issue.

Also, I would gladly take the cold sting of pulling over, checking my coolant levels and finding the nearest service or gas station, when the alternative is to risk my car breaking down and waiting in the freezing cold for an hour or more, while my tow shows up (remember, no coolant and no engine also equals no interior heat.. though you might get by with sitting on the bumper and letting your overheated engine warm you up, campfire style). :)

Now, see, just because a warning light goes away doesn't mean the problem has permanently fixed itself. While a light going out MAY mean that the problem is at best TEMPORARILY resolved, it also means that something still went wrong and needs to be looked at.

Good idea. Pouring cold liquids into a superheated radiator is asking for trouble.

I would've had him do a compression test while it was there.that way you would've known before you drove off if there was a problem.

Yes! And check your oil and coolant. If you find oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil, then you've got trouble.

Well, that's entirely up to you. Some people enjoy living by the seat of their pants. I prefer being reasonably certain that my car isn't about to leave me stranded.

Than you've pretty much answered your own question. :)

Reply to
Isaiah Beard

I understand if he has all that..But dont really mean he can use them...The cheapest hose clamp in the world will hold if you tighten it down all the way......If it was tighten all the way why did he just have to pop the hose back on and tighten down the clamp? I could see if it broke but it popped off....Maybe he wil let you use his rad pressure tester and his compresson tester.....Or if i was you find another mechanic HE almost cost you an engine.... Steve C

Reply to
Steve Cook

Sigh... I know.

Reply to
Sam Kaan

Re: how quickly does engine overheat upon coolant loss?

I know you are right. But he most likely innocently forgot it that's all. I should have known better though and do some checks afterwards than to just drive confidently like I did. Just never occurs to me that someone would forget to tighten the clamps. :o) Live and learn I guess.

I am going to see what I can find out with this compression and rad test will tell. I just hope its ok.

Reply to
Sam Kaan

The mechanic is the only one to be blamed here! He lied when he said that the hose got loose because the parts were cheep, unless the new part broke off or something like that. In retrospective, he could have done this and that, but it does not excuse the mechanic's incompetence.

He stopped in 2 or 3 minutes after the temperature light came on, and if it was a freezing day it shouldn't be enough time to cause any problems.

However, I would have the compression checked and whatever else necessary to make sure the engine was OK, but maybe not at the same mechanic. If there was damage to the engine I would request from the mechanic that screw it up, that he repaired whatever problem for free. If he didn't agree, I would call the motor vehicle department to explain and file a complaint if necessary and appropriate. They can be very useful in helping consumers in cases like this one.

The client will help himself and future clients of that mechanic by waking him up so he is more careful next time.

Dom>

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Reply to
Alpha

OK EVERYONE this is why we test drive a auto after repairs to make sure eveything is alright... Steve C

Re: how quickly does engine overheat upon coolant loss? Group: alt.autos.gm Date: Tue, Jan 13, 2004, 6:09am (CST+6) From: snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com (Alpha) The mechanic is the only one to be blamed here! He lied when he said that the hose got loose because the parts were cheep, unless the new part broke off or something like that. In retrospective, he could have done this and that, but it does not excuse the mechanic's incompetence. He stopped in 2 or 3 minutes after the temperature light came on, and if it was a freezing day it shouldn't be enough time to cause any problems. However, I would have the compression checked and whatever else necessary to make sure the engine was OK, but maybe not at the same mechanic. If there was damage to the engine I would request from the mechanic that screw it up, that he repaired whatever problem for free. If he didn't agree, I would call the motor vehicle department to explain and file a complaint if necessary and appropriate. They can be very useful in helping consumers in cases like this one. The client will help himself and future clients of that mechanic by waking him up so he is more careful next time. Dominic "Isaiah Beard" wrote in message news:4002ffac$ snipped-for-privacy@rutgers.edu... Sam Kaan wrote: I was driving home the other day and my car first shows "low coolant" light. Well I figured it needs a top up, which I will do at the earliest opportunity. I mean come on, it was freezing cold where I live this time of year and I am not just going to get out of the car, open the trunk grab the spare coolants and pop the hood and do all that responsible thing. Well, I don't mean to be critical, but really, you could be more certain of what's going on if you pop the hood every once in a while and check your fluid levels. This can be easily done at home, preferably in the relative warmth of your garage, and then do fluid top-offs WHEN you do those checks. That way when such a light comes on, you KNOW something is wrong, and don't just drive along guessing that it's a minor issue. Also, I would gladly take the cold sting of pulling over, checking my coolant levels and finding the nearest service or gas station, when the alternative is to risk my car breaking down and waiting in the freezing cold for an hour or more, while my tow shows up (remember, no coolant and no engine also equals no interior heat.. though you might get by with sitting on the bumper and letting your overheated engine warm you up, campfire style). :) Besides I have seen "low coolant" light before and most of the times it will go away. Now, see, just because a warning light goes away doesn't mean the problem has permanently fixed itself. While a light going out MAY mean that the problem is at best TEMPORARILY resolved, it also means that something still went wrong and needs to be looked at. I stopped and waited for about 30 minutes before pouring anything into the rad. as those books say u don't want to put any cold fluid into the engine when its hot. Good idea. Pouring cold liquids into a superheated radiator is asking for trouble. Anyway he re-tightens the hoses and every thing, put new coolant in and I am driving my car again. I would've had him do a compression test while it was there.that way you would've known before you drove off if there was a problem. My BIGGEST concerns now though is whether or not the engine actually overheated and damage anything that I am not aware of.? Should I have it thoroughly checked? Yes! And check your oil and coolant. If you find oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil, then you've got trouble. or can I take my chance and drive this thing without any worry? Well, that's entirely up to you. Some people enjoy living by the seat of their pants. I prefer being reasonably certain that my car isn't about to leave me stranded. Its winter now in Canada and its cold, I don't want to be stuck on the highway in some far-flung corner of the province. Than you've pretty much answered your own question. :)

Reply to
Steve Cook

Re: how quickly does engine overheat upon coolant loss?

I understand if he has all that..But dont really mean he can use them...The cheapest hose clamp in the world will hold if you tighten it down all the way......If it was tighten all the way why did he just have to pop the hose back on and tighten down the clamp? I could see if it broke but it popped off....Maybe he wil let you use his rad pressure tester and his compresson tester.....Or if i was you find another mechanic HE almost cost you an engine.... Steve C

Well I took it in for a check today. He did a rad pressure check but won't do a compression test unless I pay him because its more involved since u have to take out the spark plug on front side and back side etc.

Anyway the pressure test didn't turn up anything bad except that the water pump is leaking, I can see the orange coolant dripping from it, so it is in fact leaking. I had it replaced with one of their remanufactured one, I actually watch them do it and it didn't seem extremely difficult. Also replaced the belt as the old one will wobble the new pump and cause it to go faster.

The only troubling thing was afterward, when I was on the way out and had to move the car, I realize it has no brake pressure. None, I stomp on the brake all the way down on the brake pedal and absolutely no pressure. And the brake light was on. So anyway, they raised the car up on the hoist, took out the front tire and showed me that the brake rubber fluid hose was almost broken in half. He showed me the brake fluid reservoir was all gone because of this. They told me how lucky I was that the thing was discovered then, cause if it had been on the highway I would have been a total gonner. My god!!!

I really wanted to leave now!!! I was stuck! literally, can't drive the car out because you almost can't stop the thing. Plus they showed me the one on the left side was almost gone also it a nick in it. I need to pull out my digital camera and take you folks some pictures. I actually asked them for the old hose to keep as souvenirs. Unfortunately they won't give me the old water pump unless I pay the $7 core charge.

Well total cost to me today $349 Canadian. And I am Lucky to be alive!!!

PS: How do I make sure the same thing won't happen to my brake system that happened to my radiator hose?? I guess I will be doing city driving for the next little while and make sure the stopping is working properly.

Reply to
Sam Kaan

hey pal stop going to that mechanic...Your car overheated he said it was because the rad hose came off...Come to find out the waterpup was leaking...Which tell me this guy is a joke..He should have ran a pressure test before and after the first repair ...This should have never happened...He probly slit your pressure hose to your brakes because you questioned his wok...The most sple solution for you is to find another mechanic...Is your car missing at all?Also is there any water inn your oil?If no and no the your heads should be ok... Steve C

Reply to
Steve Cook

"Steve Cook" wrote

Geez, Steve....we already have a bad enough reputation without you insinuating that a mechanic would purposely screw something up on a customers car because the customer questioned his work.

While I agree with you that "that" mechanic sounds incompetent... I think it's a stretch to say that he "might" have done damage to a vehicle on purpose.

Ian

Reply to
shiden_kai

Re: (update) how quickly does engine overheat upon coolant loss? Group: alt.autos.gm Date: Thu, Jan 15, 2004, 11:54pm (CST+6) From: snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com (shiden_kai) "Steve Cook" wrote never happened...He probly slit your pressure hose to your brakes because you questioned his wok...The most sple solution for you is to find another mechanic...Is your car missing at all?Also is there any water inn your oil?If no and no the your heads should be ok... Geez, Steve....we already have a bad enough reputation without you insinuating that a mechanic would purposely screw something up on a customers car because the customer questioned his work. While I agree with you that "that" mechanic sounds incompetent... I think it's a stretch to say that he "might" have done damage to a vehicle on purpose. Ian

Yeah your right ....Im sorry. But its possible....The guy sounds more like a quack with a lift than a mechanic.. Steve C

Reply to
Steve Cook

Back in the day when I was a kid pumping gas for a summer job, I saw it done. Eventually the absentee owner found out that this was going on and fired the "mechanic/manager". Granted, the situation is very rare but "never say never".

Reply to
D F Bonnett

From these undercover TV shows about repair shops, it's actually very common if you go to anyone other than maybe the dealer or a good trusted machanic.(someone local who cares about his reputation in the town) Disconnect a wire here, or a hose there or unscrew a spark plug 1/2 turn so that it's loose or...

Or, sometimes the guy is an idiot. One guy spent a week looking at my car and couldn't find the problem(not the only thing he couldn't find - ;) ) Took it to the dealer, where they have a vested interest in getting the car in and out as quickly as possible. 2 hours, figured it all out.

Reply to
Joseph Oberlander

"D F Bonnett" wrote

I'll tell you something....I'll bet that guys like Steve and I and other techs on these newsgroups would be the first to say that a large percentage of "mechanics" are nothing more than a bunch of hacks and cheats.

I just think that our trade has a bad enough image without adding to it. Yeah, we know those guys are out there, but we are attempting to give out the best possible information we can and hopefully help some folks save a little money and have their vehicle fixed right.

Ian

Reply to
shiden_kai

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