97 Z3 1.9 coolant sprayed out

[Cardriver333]

Just finished replacing the entire cooling system and the car has been running fine for the past month, but I did some spirited driving and as soon as I pulled in the driveway I noticed steam coming from under the hood and a puddle of steaming coolant.

What caused it? I had about 50/50 coolant mix with a bottle of water wetter and the coolant level was about half way up the resevoir(at the cold fill level) the temp needle never went past 12 o clock

[Hoyt Clagwell]

Did you look under the hood?

[Ahwahnee]

If things are too messy to identify a specific leak then you can clean it up and borrow a radiator tester from your FLAPS to pressure check the system and recreate the leak in less dramatic fashion.

Clamps (depending on style) often need to be further tightened after a heat cycle.

[zellamay]

I would dry everything I could reach, let the car cool completely. Then I would start it. As it warms up I would look for coolant leaking. It could be as simple as a loose hose clamp.

[CoconutPete]

What caused it?

Without opening the hood and telling us what you see, this is the most specific answer I can give you: "Something broke"

[Tallyho322]

I had a small plastic pet cock on the bottom of the radiator fail…luckily my wife was taking the car somewhere and noticed a large puddle of AF in the garage as she was backing out….

Also, if you overfill the reservoir, I think the pressure will build too much (no room for expansion)…



You will need to investigate.

Greg