Coolant exploded in engine compartment!!

[christianculp]

My wife was leaving work, she went and started the 2000 JGC 4x4 I-6 and then went back in to get her purse. It was 60 degrees out. Inside the building she heard a pop like someone hit the car. When she went out there was coolant everywhere! The hood was closed and is shot out of cracks about ten feet to the sides. She shut it off and hasn't started it since. We towed it this morining to a Jeep dealer, to be looked at monday morning. Sounds to me like some kind of pressure problem, I haven't been able to look and see if any hoses were gone. Was hoping someone here had an idea, or two. I tried to a forum search but didn't see any results, just small leak results.

The day before the fan stayed running even when key removed, thought that to be the fan relay, (had problems with fan module/relay before) removed the fan fuse to save battery and replaced before driving.

Please help! Thanks!!

[DonSor]

Originally Posted by christianculp

My wife was leaving work, she went and started the 2000 JGC 4x4 I-6 and then went back in to get her purse. It was 60 degrees out. Inside the building she heard a pop like someone hit the car. When she went out there was coolant everywhere! The hood was closed and is shot out of cracks about ten feet to the sides. She shut it off and hasn't started it since. We towed it this morining to a Jeep dealer, to be looked at monday morning. Sounds to me like some kind of pressure problem, I haven't been able to look and see if any hoses were gone. Was hoping someone here had an idea, or two. I tried to a forum search but didn't see any results, just small leak results.

The day before the fan stayed running even when key removed, thought that to be the fan relay, (had problems with fan module/relay before) removed the fan fuse to save battery and replaced before driving.

Please help! Thanks!!

Obviously, your cooling system over pressurized for some reason and it sounds like you blew a hose or radiator cap unseated. You will need to determine what caused the over presurization (engine over heating, stat inoperaive, etc.) or it could just be that the components were worn out.

[dksob81]

I would look toward a stuck t-stat.

[christianculp]

That was actually a guess of mine, The T-stat. I know the A/C evaperator is gone, NO A/C, blows warm. Won't take a charge. Leaks, had that tested, but within the past week, the vent won't blow cold just warm and even when the air comes in vent, it is warm, Even when its 60 outside. Hoping it won't cost an arm and a leg. Any other advice is greatly appreciated!!

[DonSor]

Originally Posted by christianculp

That was actually a guess of mine, The T-stat. I know the A/C evaperator is gone, NO A/C, blows warm. Won't take a charge. Leaks, had that tested, but within the past week, the vent won't blow cold just warm and even when the air comes in vent, it is warm, Even when its 60 outside. Hoping it won't cost an arm and a leg. Any other advice is greatly appreciated!!

If your A/C is kaput, make sure compressor is electrically disconnected. If your A/C has no charge, but the system is still on even without the reefer, the evaporator coil is in the fan box and it could concievable contribute to the unexplained warm air. Another possibility could be that your vent louver are stuck in the heat position. Are you sure you want to hang on to this car. Sounds like it's nicle and diming you to death.

[christianculp]

Unfortunatly we still owe a bit on it. The dealer said it was the water pump, t-stat, and fan relay. I knew about the fan relay, and thought about t-stat. I missed their calls tonight, said they needed to talk to me about jeep, maybe other stuff is wrong too. We have put about 2500 in to it over the past year. Sucks! It has 109k now. eninge seems strong still and tranny too. No leaks under jeep when parked! Keeping fingers crossed. Will keep this thread up to date with what dealer has done. Thanks for the imput. We do want to sell! Any buyers? After fixed of course. We would be happy getting what we owe. Has sunroof.

[christianculp]

Well, The dealer said what they think happened was that the waterpump went and that caused it to overheat which also cracked part of the radiator at the top where the steam built up. The T-stat was also changed too. $1250 total before tax. Parts and Labor. Guess it will be worth the asking price now! So new T-stat,waterpump,radiator. Hope my jeep is happy now.

[DonSor]

Originally Posted by christianculp

Well, The dealer said what they think happened was that the waterpump went and that caused it to overheat which also cracked part of the radiator at the top where the steam built up. The T-stat was also changed too. $1250 total before tax. Parts and Labor. Guess it will be worth the asking price now! So new T-stat,waterpump,radiator. Hope my jeep is happy now.

$1250 seems too steep for a water pump, radiator, stat job. Check the invoice for the number of manhours it took them to do the job, and check it against the Standard (Auto Labor Book).