Cooling system keeps exploding

2004 NISSAN 350Z
76,000 MILES • 3.6L • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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JIM BAKER2
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Had shop repair valve cover gaskets and the day I picked it up the top of the radiator split open after a loud pop. The shop put a new radiator in, and the day I picked it up the cooling system exploded again without overheating. Car was never spewing steam out of tailpipe and oil in engine looks fine.

What could be the problem and could it be related to work done on valve cover gaskets?

Thank you.
Feb 15, 2018 at 10:53 AM
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STEVE W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,385 POSTS
How long did it take for either event to happen after you started the engine? It sounds like a rapid pressure build up. About the only thing that can cause that would be head gaskets.
Run a pressure test on the cooling system and see if it holds pressure. Then with the gauge still on, start the engine and watch the gauge. You should not see a rapid pressure increase. If you do combustion gas is getting into the cooling system.

It should not be related to the valve covers.
Feb 15, 2018 at 1:18 PM
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