Coolent started to boil + radiator fans not spinning
#1
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Coolent started to boil + radiator fans not spinning
Hello!
Pontiac trans am 1988
350 TPI
Something quite concerning happened today. I attended a car show with my shitbox car. The journey there went smoothly, but I noticed the coolant temperature rising. Initially, I thought it was due to city driving, so I continued on.
Upon arriving and driving at a slow pace, I saw that the coolant temperature had reached 220°F. I urgently searched for a parking spot, but the temperature kept climbing, eventually exceeding 260°F.
I quickly got out to inspect the overflow reservoir, and I noticed it had expanded like a balloon, with the coolant boiling inside. Without hesitation, I turned off the car, hoping that nothing worse would occur. However, the coolant cap popped off, causing coolant to spill everywhere.
I decided to leave the car as it was for the remainder of the day. After about 6 hours, I attempted to start it, and surprisingly, it worked!
Now, onto my questions:
Pontiac trans am 1988
350 TPI
Something quite concerning happened today. I attended a car show with my shitbox car. The journey there went smoothly, but I noticed the coolant temperature rising. Initially, I thought it was due to city driving, so I continued on.
Upon arriving and driving at a slow pace, I saw that the coolant temperature had reached 220°F. I urgently searched for a parking spot, but the temperature kept climbing, eventually exceeding 260°F.
I quickly got out to inspect the overflow reservoir, and I noticed it had expanded like a balloon, with the coolant boiling inside. Without hesitation, I turned off the car, hoping that nothing worse would occur. However, the coolant cap popped off, causing coolant to spill everywhere.
I decided to leave the car as it was for the remainder of the day. After about 6 hours, I attempted to start it, and surprisingly, it worked!
Now, onto my questions:
- How much damage could my car have sustained, and where should I look for damage that needs replacement? should i just expected the motorblock to be warped and try selling my car while it still works? The car was running with these high temps for about 40 seconds
- Additionally, neither of my fans are turning on, even when the AC is running. How should I go about troubleshooting this issue? i guess this was the cause for the overheating
#2
Re: Coolent started to boil + radiator fans not spinning
If it hit 260 for 40 seconds I don’t think it would have caused any damage.
my car had a broken power wire going to the relay which caused the fans not to turn on. I would first check fuses and make sure there are no broken wires near any of the relays.
my car had a broken power wire going to the relay which caused the fans not to turn on. I would first check fuses and make sure there are no broken wires near any of the relays.
#3
Member
Re: Coolent started to boil + radiator fans not spinning
I don't think that hurt your engine but you could take it for a short ride and see if it burns oil or lack of power. I would put power directly to the fans, one at a time and see if the fans work. Then see if grounding the relay turns on the fans. Others may have a better idea.
#4
Moderator
Re: Coolent started to boil + radiator fans not spinning
Same thing happened to me years ago. The car most likely is fine. It's not like you ran it hot for a long time.
#5
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Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: New York
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Car: 1985 trans am
Engine: 305
Transmission: T5
Re: Coolent started to boil + radiator fans not spinning
I had a 92 camaro that had plenty of cooling issues. I replaced everything 2 times over before I understood it good and it bugged me forever. You shouldn’t have any issues overheating for a couple seconds. I’d try doing what the other guy said and put power directly to the fans. Go from there, if it’s the same as the 92 I had (I’d assume it is) there’s probably a couple ways to go from there depending on what happens.
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