I was checking my oil and I noticed antifreeze leaking from under the radiator cap. what could b the problem?

Question

I was filling up the car with gas, and checking the oil when I noticed the leak from under the radiator cap, it looks like it had leaked out about a cup of antifreeze. The over flow tank was full. I watched the high and low temperature guage and it stayed in the normal range it didnt get hot, the car has 104000 miles on it. It did'nt appear to have leaked any more when I checked it after i got home. what could it be a radiator cap, thermostat, any idea let me know, thx

Answer 1

Could be as simple as the radiator cap, or the thermostat although the temp gauge usually goes up. My car with around that mileage started doing the same as you could hear my water boil, ended up being my water pump. Keep a close eye on it

Answer 2

relying on the position you acquire your radiator replaced at even if or not it really is a sequence of places like Tires Plus or a privately owned save is to even if or not they could even take a seem at it. yet what you've pictured isn't a radiator screw. it extremely is the transmission oil cooling line. If something the leak should be coming from a connection of the between the hoses to radiator or perhaps even a crack in the radiator. If something i'd say take it again to the shop you acquire the provider at. The coolant isn't sweet anymore because of Federal regulation. certain, it used to flavor very like Gatorade, yet now it really is a really stinky, bitter flavor. as to even if the shop you took it to will do something about it, it relies upon on the time-honored of the shop. Chain shops will seem at it for no value as long as you've not gotten something else executed to the radiator and/or cooling strains because the provider.

Answer 3

First let it cool off completely, overnight would be a good idea.
Please trust me on this, I've burned myself twice with hot antifreeze and it hurts really bad.

Ok, so then when the engine is c.o.l.d., pull off the cap and visually inspect it, if it looks good simply put it back on properly and make sure it is definitely seated.

That might be all that's wrong with it, but if in doubt, a new cap is maybe $5 - $10 or so at the auto parts store, might just replace it anyhow?

I would also visually inspect all the hoses for cracks, especially near the clamps.

Answer 4

It could be a leaky radiator cap ($5?), overheating from a bad water pump ($100?), a leaky head-gasket ($200?) or a cracked block ($$$). At 100K miles, many things might go wrong; it may be worth doing some tests (quickest would be a cooling-system leak-down test) to see if it's worth fixing. Above cost guesstimates are if you do the work; triple that for parts + labor.

Answer 5

Radiator caps hold in the pressure, they wear out and have to be replaced from time to time