Aww that's just great. White smoke....
Chubby Chaser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,681
From: whitwell,Tn 37397
the radiator systems hold upto 11-13 lbs of pressure when its warmed up. but maybe the thermostat or the radiator cap isnt releasing the pressure. btw have you filled up your coolant and tried to track about how much coolant you are loosing?
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HCF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 45
From: Minneapolis, MN
The radiator itself wasn't low on coolant, but I filled the resevoir to spec. I haven't driven it since then, but that was only a few hours ago. So the radiator cap is supposed to release pressure? I wasn't aware of that. Seems like it should keep it pretty well sealed.
Chubby Chaser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,681
From: whitwell,Tn 37397
the cap is designed for when the water heats up it expands causing pressure when it reaches a certain amount of pressure the cap opens and releaves the pressure into the overflow canister. when the car cools, the radiator cap opens and draws the coolant from the overflow canister back into the radiator.
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HCF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 45
From: Minneapolis, MN
Ok, so riddle me this: would an overbuilding of pressure cause the check engine light to come on? Also, what kind of damage could occur if that pressure isn't released when it's supposed to be?
HCF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 625
From: SoCal
Alright, so today I just wanted to check the coolant and I found that the resevoir was mostly empty, so I'm losing coolant somewhere. I'm guessing that it's being burned off. However, I have a question about pressure. I opened the radiator cap once the engine was cool and it popped off with near explosive pressure. Is that normal? No spray at all, just surprised me because I wasn't expecting that.
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HCF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 45
From: Minneapolis, MN
Pulled a code today. P1456 is what came up, which according to what I could find has something to do with the EVAP system. Anyone care to shed any light on this?
EDIT: Sounds like it is probably the gas cap leaking. I'll have to check it, but my understanding is that the error is not a serious one and is usually fixed by replacing the gas cap.
EDIT: Sounds like it is probably the gas cap leaking. I'll have to check it, but my understanding is that the error is not a serious one and is usually fixed by replacing the gas cap.
Last edited by Ruenin; Sep 9, 2009 at 12:06 PM.
Recognized HCF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,023
Built up pressure in the radiator with the engine cold is indeed probably caused by a head gasket leak. If you fill the radiator while cold and start the engine with the cap off, do bubbles and liquid gush out when you rev the engine?