I have a 2011 lml that started getting pressure in the coolant tank , it started using coolant and when i would add it there has been alot of pressure in the tank . When i crack the cap it gurgles and boiles until is stops and ill put some coolant in it and it calms down and acts fine. after i drive it awhile it does the same thin again , I changed the thermostats and it didnt seem to help it . I just put a bottle of stop leak in it and that hasnt seemed to make a difference . it's not blowing warm air at all and the upper hose is stiff as hell but 1 thing i noticed after i shut it off and left it over night was the upper hose was sucked flat . there may be a small crack in the overflow tank im not positive and the cap seems like a bitch to get it to thread on like its been cross threaded but it does screw down tight and even eventually. i know what the diagnosis could be "head Gasket" but would a crack in the tank or a bad cap even make it do that? something else i noticed was i had orange dex cool in it and when it puked it into the overflow on one side i added some universal dexcool compatible coolant which is a light yellowish pea green color and then drove it and shut it ofdf and checked it it had pressure in the tank and id didnt reall look like the 2 had even mixed there was the orange on the one side of the tank and the other colored stuff on the other side of the tank . so wtf now? Any input would be appreciated , Thanks.
Brian Isom
The tank is pressurized., so shouldn't be opened hot.
Systems are pressurized because pressurization increases the boiling point. Opening a hot. pressurized system drops the pressure - so it may result in boiling in the coolant temp is above the 'no pressuree' boiling point.is above the
Removing that cap is the same as removing a radiator cap on a system with a non-pressurized coolant tank.
If it's using coolant it likely has a problem, but the tank shouldn't be opened hot.
Follow the fill procedure (it's NOT like traditional systems) to get it full so you can then diagnose further.
In case you don't have the Dmax supplement for your 2011, it says:
Adding Coolant (Pickup and Van Models)
If more coolant is needed, add the proper DEX-COOL coolant mixture at the surge tank, but be careful not to spill it.
{WARNING
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Notice: This vehicle has a specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure could cause the engine to overheat and be severely damaged.
{WARNING
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling system can blow out and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn the coolant surge tank pressure cap—even a little—they can
come out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and coolant surge tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn the pressure cap.
If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolant as follows:
1. Remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise about one full turn. If a hiss is heard, wait for that to stop. A hiss means there is still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture as follows:
. To the MAX mark on the pickup
. To the COLD FILL mark on the van
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the engine and let it run until the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates approximately 90°C (195°F).
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant surge tank may be lower.
If the level is lower, add more of the proper mixture to the coolant surge tank until the level reaches the proper level.
5. Replace the pressure cap.
Be sure the pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
6. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and the coolant is cold. If necessary, repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1 through 6.
If the coolant level is still low after having followed these steps twice, have the coolant system checked a certified technician at the dealer for a possible leak.
Notice: If the pressure cap is not tightly installed, coolant loss and possible engine damage may occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly secured.
FWIW, it is no longer possible to identify coolant just by the colour. Some dexcool or dexcool compatible products are not orange.
Lots of ways that coolant can get low.
Step one is to get it correctly filled, to improve diagnosis.
Systems are pressurized because pressurization increases the boiling point. Opening a hot. pressurized system drops the pressure - so it may result in boiling in the coolant temp is above the 'no pressuree' boiling point.is above the
Removing that cap is the same as removing a radiator cap on a system with a non-pressurized coolant tank.
If it's using coolant it likely has a problem, but the tank shouldn't be opened hot.
Follow the fill procedure (it's NOT like traditional systems) to get it full so you can then diagnose further.
In case you don't have the Dmax supplement for your 2011, it says:
Adding Coolant (Pickup and Van Models)
If more coolant is needed, add the proper DEX-COOL coolant mixture at the surge tank, but be careful not to spill it.
{WARNING
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Notice: This vehicle has a specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure could cause the engine to overheat and be severely damaged.
{WARNING
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling system can blow out and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn the coolant surge tank pressure cap—even a little—they can
come out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and coolant surge tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn the pressure cap.
If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolant as follows:
1. Remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise about one full turn. If a hiss is heard, wait for that to stop. A hiss means there is still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture as follows:
. To the MAX mark on the pickup
. To the COLD FILL mark on the van
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the engine and let it run until the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates approximately 90°C (195°F).
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant surge tank may be lower.
If the level is lower, add more of the proper mixture to the coolant surge tank until the level reaches the proper level.
5. Replace the pressure cap.
Be sure the pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
6. Verify coolant level after the engine is shut off and the coolant is cold. If necessary, repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1 through 6.
If the coolant level is still low after having followed these steps twice, have the coolant system checked a certified technician at the dealer for a possible leak.
Notice: If the pressure cap is not tightly installed, coolant loss and possible engine damage may occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly secured.
FWIW, it is no longer possible to identify coolant just by the colour. Some dexcool or dexcool compatible products are not orange.
Lots of ways that coolant can get low.
Step one is to get it correctly filled, to improve diagnosis.
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