Urgent need help--radiator hose blew

[Terminator_T4R]

All,

I was on the highway today, cruising at 70mph and started to smell something like pancake syrup. I immediately knew it was coolant. I pulled off at the next exit and parked turned off the car.

After popping the hood, I saw coolant ALL over the engine and smoke/steam billowing out. The upper radiator hose just popped off!!!!! The hose looks fine, and the clamp looks fine, but the thing just fell off.

Am I OK? Do I need to replace the engine or can I just reattach the hose and put in new coolant?

I just bought the car 1 month ago, used, 2002 SR5, and everything was fine. The dealer, to make the engine look better? sprayed some shiny Armor All crap in the engine bay and I wonder if that lubricated the hose and caused it to slide off.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Hepar]

You're probably fine. The good thing is that you immediately pulled over when you noticed the smell. Just make sure your coolant is topped off and all your clamps are tight.

 

[Nelsonmd]

If you didn't drive it very long after seeing the steam, then you should be ok to just re-fill with coolant go.

As far as why it came off, be sure to check everything over really well, like make sure the radiator outlet isn't damaged or cracked, or the hose.

I would replace the hose clamp either way.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

As long as it didn't overheat you should be fine. Very odd that it would just "pop off" though if the hose clamp is good. I would give a very good look at the radiator to make sure that the elbow on the radiator isn't damaged (they are plastic.) As long as it didn't get too hot, the worst case scenario is you'll need a radiator. That's not bad maintenance anyway so not a big deal..

 

[Terminator_T4R]

Thanks!

As an update, the check engine light came on and the trac control light came on while I was parking it initially. And when I pulled into the parking spot, it started to shudder.

Does this raise any additional red flags?

 

[Drcoffee]

Sometimes aftermarket radiator hoses don't fit properly and then the spring hose clamp isn't tight enough to hold it on the radiator. Of course it could be a head gasket causing too much pressure in the cooling system. The tell tail sign of a head gasket is the resevoir tank overflowing. Have you had to keep topping of the coolant? If not, I'd change the hose and use worm gear hose clamps to secure it. If you've never used one before. tighten it down until it beds into the hose, until the edge of the strap cant be felt when you slide your finger across it.

 

[fish0281]

Thanks!

As an update, the check engine light came on and the trac control light came on while I was parking it initially. And when I pulled into the parking spot, it started to shudder.

Does this raise any additional red flags?

Depends on what code the CEL came on for - you can get it read for free at Autozone.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Thanks!

As an update, the check engine light came on and the trac control light came on while I was parking it initially. And when I pulled into the parking spot, it started to shudder.

Does this raise any additional red flags?

Is it still shuddering?

Does it shudder when operating at norm temps.

If so then yes that is bad.

 

[Terminator_T4R]

Update:

I had a friend take me to the Toyota Dealer to buy coolant.

I put coolant and distilled water in the radiator, and also into the coolant reservoir. I think I overfilled them.....

Anyway, I started the engine and it started fine. The CEL is still on, as well as the trac control light.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Pull the battery cables for a minute to reset, the codes may take a while to clear.