What would make the coolant tank blow a hole through it?

Asked by Shawn_W Apr 17, 2014 at 07:25 AM about the 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier Sedan FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 2001 cavalier 2.2L. I changed the radiator and thermostat yesterday. Get in it this morning, drive for 20 minutes, and the coolant tank now has a hole in the top. The engine never got warm (don't understand this either) and it was making a squeeking sound when i would hit the gas. Then a ton of smoke came out and my car died. Someone please give me some insight, as I have never heard of this happening before.

2 Answers
30,605

yetilikesbeer answered 10 years ago

'01 this car only has a high temp indicator correct. Did you fill the motor with coolant before installing the thermostat or did you install the thermostat and rad then only fill the rad with coolant. Once running did the remaining air get purged from the coolant system (takes a few run cycles if there is no bleeder screw and at least on thermostat opening). I'm thinking that the coolant was air locked in the motor. Air is an insulator and it would take awhile for the engine to heat the air around the high temp sensor and thermostat. You most likely overheated the motor and when the air finally opened the thermostat the new coolant entered the motor, boiled causing the pressure to pop the reservoir.

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