how quickly does engine overheat upon coolant loss?

Sam Kaan · 2004-01-11T06:49:51+00:00

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 earliestopportunity.I mean come on, it was freezing cold where I live this time of year and I amnot just going to get out of the car, open the trunk grab the spare coolantsand 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 keptdriving and 20 minutesor so later the darn light is still on. I was very worried now, but only ashort distanceor so away from home, I decided to make a run for it. Well next thing Iknowthe "temp" light came on. I knew this is big trouble and tried to pull overas soonas possible which is about 3 to 5 minutes later (after the temp light cameon)when I found a nice parking lot to pull into.I stopped and waited for about 30 minutes before pouring anything into therad.as those books say u don't want to put any cold fluid into the engine whenits hot.Anyway, to my surprise, when I start pouring the antifreeze-water mix intotheradiator, I heard a SPLASH on the ground. LOL.All the coolant poured into the rad went right onto the pavement below. Itook a flashlightto have a look and you guessed it, the lower radiator hose has came off atthe bottom pipeto 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 afew weeks agobut I haven't driven the car very much lately, and had it parked in thegarage for most of the time.I had the car towed back to the mechanic shop and had him take a look at itagain to see why the thingcame 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 wasgoing to do it myself that's why I bought the parts, but its too cold hereand I decided to have the mechanicdo it...

Jan 11, 2004 20 Replies

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tango 22 years ago

"shiden_kai" wrote in news:8q%Nb.135402$ts4.78449@pd7tw3no:

It's not just the automotive industry, but its just harder to get your car out of of an unscrupulous shop, and more expensive, than to decline a home repair or work done on neutral territory. Your right about helping people, and at the same time, combating the image that auto techs are all people who only want to take advantage of their customers. Hope you guys keep up the good work.

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