Sudden and large draining of coolant

KJESTICE

MEMBER
1990 VOLVO 740
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

Noticed steam and smelled coolant, stopped car, no coolant in reservoir or hoses. Puddle under driver side toward rear of engine. Engine was wet, but did just drove through a six inch deep flooded road for twenty feet about one mile before steam appeared. Is it worth troubleshooting at home?

5 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Troubleshooting at home is not the problem but would you be able to perform repairs if you know the cause?

A hose or something has given way resulting in coolant losses and it should not be difficult to find the source. Just add water to the radiator and see where it comes out.

If it is a stopper, hose or water pump, after repairing the problem you need to test if any damage had been done to engine due to overheating.

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Monday, October 30th, 2017 AT 9:54 PM

KJESTICE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks. Ran water into the system it immediately drained out of the back of engine where automatic transmission connects. Not a crack but at the point transmission is bolted to engine. Please advise. How can I get a rough estimate on possible repair? Car runs normal otherwise. Has oil and transmission fluid. Starts and shifts and drove very short distance so as not to damage further.

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Tuesday, October 31st, 2017 AT 10:59 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

First, the cause needs to be determined before an estimate can be given. Check to make sure it isn't coming from between the cylinder head and engine block, there isn't a bad heater core hose or other coolant hose, one of the freeze plugs hasn't rusted through. Dry the area off and then add water. While adding water, take note of where it leaks from.

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Tuesday, October 31st, 2017 AT 7:31 PM

KJESTICE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

It clearly is flowing from where the transmission bolts on to the engine.A direct flow of fluid when water was added to the overflow reservoir.I’ll attempt a video/photo. Thanks!

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Wednesday, November 1st, 2017 AT 6:34 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

Check out above the place where it is leaking it could be a hose int he back of the engine or a freeze plug. Here is a guide to help us find the leak.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken