03 Cobra Boiling from Radiator Cap

[Oxford]

Been a while since ive lurked these boards, hopefully you guys have some insight.

Had 2 monitors still not readying for my inspection so I was taking it through the cycles today (90 degrees today). about 25 minutes into driving we start smelling burning coming from the vents. a minute later I notice smoke/steam coming from the nostrils.


Managed to get it home just barely reaching the red on my engine temp. This is a bad thermostat more than likely right? Car is a garage queen so Nothing has been changed on it for the last 4 years other than regular maintenance.

Thanks in advance SVTP.

 

[Midnight_Cobra]

Take the thermostat out and put it in boiling water and see if it opens. I'd say the top 4 areas to look.

-Thermostat stuck
-Massive Air in the system
-Cap does not hold pressure.
-Cooling fan in-op

 

[Oxford]

Take the thermostat out and put it in boiling water and see if it opens. I'd say the top 4 areas to look.

-Thermostat stuck
-Massive Air in the system
-Cap does not hold pressure.
-Cooling fan in-op

Since you mentioned the cap I had a quick question.. Is the cap supposed to have a rubber o-ring on it? upon my first looks I noticed it does not have one nor do I remember if it came with one off hand.

 

[whitedevil95]

5 years ago my car overheated like that. I swapped to a 170 Stat and changed the cap, burped the system. Never had an issues since.

 

[4sdvenom]

When mine did that it was a blown headgasket. Confirmed by the #3 cylinder shooting water out of the spark plug hole.
Hopefully yours is something else and simple.

Ken

 

[Dave.O]

replace the cap any time it leaks/boils over. they're cheap anyway
my vote is also thermostat, they are also cheap just replace it
refill and burp, listen for fan to kick on around 195-200'F while idling

 

[Oxford]

When mine did that it was a blown headgasket. Confirmed by the #3 cylinder shooting water out of the spark plug hole.
Hopefully yours is something else and simple.

Ken

Luckily I think im safe in that respect. I did not notice any leaks other than the cap. But I will double check that when I have it apart. Thanks.

 

[Midnight_Cobra]

Since you mentioned the cap I had a quick question.. Is the cap supposed to have a rubber o-ring on it? upon my first looks I noticed it does not have one nor do I remember if it came with one off hand.

There isn't an "O-ring", but there is a gasket. It is on the cap side, and where it meets the top of the overflow is where it seals. I'd get a new one just in case.

 

[4sdvenom]

Luckily I think im safe in that respect. I did not notice any leaks other than the cap. But I will double check that when I have it apart. Thanks.

Mine only leaked from the cap as well. Then I pulled all the spark plugs and turned it over. That’s when the geyser came from cylinder #3.

 

[Shadow Grey 03]

I also only had it coming from the overflow when I did in a head gasket. New gaskets and head studs solved my problem. Hopefully it's just a stuck thermostat for you.

 

[Oxford]

Well after a little poking and prodding. I determined the Fan wasnt turning on. Checked the 50A fuse and it was sure as shit blown. So i ran to the local parts store quick and grabbed 2 new ones. They were immediately blown as soon as I turned the car on

 

[Zemedici]

got a wiring gremlin somewhere, mice got to wiring maybe?

 

[Oxford]

got a wiring gremlin somewhere, mice got to wiring maybe?

Cant imagine how. My garage is pretty secure. Never once have I come across a critter in there

 

[Zemedici]

Cant imagine how. My garage is pretty secure. Never once I have come across a critter in there

check wiring for fans / at fans

 

[Oxford]

Ive been reading that the the Pins on the connectors can sometimes overheat and melt and ground together.

 

[hotcobra03]

simple..unplug fan..install new fuse..if it doesn't blow..fan was shorted..

we have on site manual for wiring if needed..in stickys,

 

[Oxford]

simple..unplug fan..install new fuse..if it doesn't blow..fan was shorted..

we have on site manual for wiring if needed..in stickys,

I did exactly this, Fuse didnt pop. safe to assume a new fan is on the menu?

 

[hotcobra03]

I did exactly this, Fuse didnt pop. safe to assume a new fan is on the menu?

when you shop around..

dorman,makes this fan..

 

[Midnight_Cobra]

I did exactly this, Fuse didnt pop. safe to assume a new fan is on the menu?

Possibly. You could see if the pigtail is melted/bad and just replace that. However a new fan is "cheap", I would just go that route.

when you shop around..

dorman,makes this fan..

Yup, I replaced mine with a Dorman from Autozone (I think) about 3 years ago, been working good ever since.

 

[Oxford]

Figures everything coming apart smooth but the damn radiator petcock chrossthreaded even though I was mindful of it. I see Dorman makes one im hoping swapping them out isnt a pain.