Boiling water

alldonein · 07-09-2007, 05:46 AM

Either i'm jinxed or i'm not cut out for working on cars.(I think the latter might be correct)
Ok, yesterday I changed the oil and put a new oil filter on. I also flushed the radiator and put new coolant in.Seems simple enough.
I set off to drive the 8 miles to work driving no more than 45 mph and the oil light keeps flashing on and off erratically so i thought maybe oil needs topping up,no big deal.Anyways i get to work and i can hear this sound under the hood. The coolant in the top up bottle is actually boiling although the temperature gauge never got above half way. It also did it on the return home.
Any ideas on the coolant thing,all ideas are very much appreciated.

Forgot to mention the car had been running a little hot,that's why i changed the coolant.

alldonein · 07-09-2007, 06:39 AM

Just checked and coolant is coming out of the overflow pipe, all over my drive and onto my plants, so maybe i am jinxed afterall

mgbgt1972 · 07-09-2007, 09:23 AM

You could have nudged and lossened the oil pressure sensor, and over filled the rad, or the rad could have had a air block it was working its way thru!

or you could have a faulty head gasket that is pressuring int coolant system!

alldonein · 07-09-2007, 03:26 PM

Thank you for your suggestions.
Is the head gasket a big job? Or is it for someone who really knows what they are doing

hvac1000 · 07-10-2007, 09:47 PM

Head gasket very big job.Take it to some one who really knows KIAs

alaskabigdog · 07-27-2007, 03:33 AM

Look in the radiator for bubbles, that will indicate that the head gasket is contibuting. You can also look at you engine oil, it will turn milky white if coolant is entering the engine oil.
My bet is on a bad radiator cap. Test it with a pressure tester to see if it holds and lets off pressure at about 13psi and then goes to a static hold of between 9-11 psi. Alot of oil change places can check them for you because they like to sell them at twice the price, good profit point for them. Or you can just go purchase another one that says 13psi on the cap or 0.9 (kg.cm2).

If the bottom seal on your existing cap looks hard or crappy, just replace it.
Also check your coolant to make sure you have a 50/50 mix which will get you down to -20 to -30. This ratio is what helps the coolant most efectively transfer heat under the 13psi system pressure without reaching the boiling point.