I was driving back from a 30 minute trip and noticed my temperature was past the highest mark and it was idling rough at complete stops. I was only about a minute from the house so I decided to try to get home. When I pulled in the driveway a bunch of steam burst out from the passenger side of the hood and a bunch of coolant leaked on the ground. This all happened about 5 minutes ago so I am letting everything cool down before I start looking.

Any ideas of what to do or what to look for. I am not much for diagnosing problems and could really use you guys help.

Thanks in advance.

 

Take a look at the coolant and heater hoses located toward the back of the engine on the pass side. You may have split a hose or the exessive pressure may have blown on off. Maybe at the heater valve?
Just a thought.

 

ya. so far ive drained what little coolant was left and taken off the t-stat. the upper hose looks fine. havent checked the lower hose. anymore ideas would be great. gonna go do some more checks

 

Check your water pump as well.

 

fill it with water see were it runs out

 

I filled it with water and foynd a several inch crack on the side. Not sure if this can be replaced by itself or the whole thing needs to be replaced. About to start my research but anyones experience is always welcome. Not sure if you can see the crack in the pictures but here they are

 

Probably time for a new radiator......the water pump, fan clutch and t-stat are very easy to change, with the old rad out, before the new rad goes in.

 

Ya. I think I'm just going to get a new radiator. I changed the t-stat to a failsafe today. Do I need to replace the water pump and fan clutch or is it just preventative maintenance? And how do I check them to make sure they are working properly?

Thanks for all the help guys!

 

if its in the funds its easier to do now with the rad out of the way

 

Yep, preventative maintenance at ones convenience.....or repairs when it's least convenient.

If u do it all at once, u only have to drain coolant once.

Being in Houston, summers are brutal, your entire cooling system needs to be in top notch condition.

 

X2 "preventitive maintence"

Don't forget a new belt, and upper and new lower hoses too. Save the old ones for spares. Cheap insurance!
I don't see a fan shroud, you do have one right?

 

x100 n the fan shroud is a must

 

Yes i have a fan shroud. It was just off in the picture. Well i ended up replacing the t-stat water pump and radiator. Hoses were actually in really good shape. Gonna throw a new belt on today as houston heat aall day yesterday drained me and i didnt want to drive up to the auto parts store. Thanks for the help guys