Wierd cooling system problem

[mp5 jester]

So i know i am probably gonna end up having to get it checked out at a shop but i was just wandering if anyone else has had a problem with coolant boiling in the overflow container. I just changed the thermostat, and it still did the same thing it did before i changed it, with the coolant boiling and it doesn't even have to be a longer drive for it to happen. IMy friends said they noticed white smoke coming out of the tailpipe, but there aren't any other signs of the head gasket going bad that I know of. My dad said it could be the water pump since it doesn't seem to be circulating the coolant right. I just feel like no matter what i try it doesn't seem to help, so if anyone has any suggestions im willing to hear them.

 

[Fresco]

i had the same problem turns out there was air in the system

 

[Jordysoso]

Smell the coolant, does it smell like exhaust gas? If yes then it's a head gasket. Mine went out. I had coolant boiling in the overflow, no CEL's, white smoke, motor didn't feel like it had enough power, etc.. I didn't have oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil, you don't always need all the symptoms of a blown head gasket for it to infact be one. Go to an auto parts store buy a compression tester. Run the test on all 4 cylinders. Also if you have any CEL codes, what are they?

 

[mp5 jester]

codes

Smell the coolant, does it smell like exhaust gas? If yes then it's a head gasket. Mine went out. I had coolant boiling in the overflow, no CEL's, white smoke, motor didn't feel like it had enough power, etc.. I didn't have oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil, you don't always need all the symptoms of a blown head gasket for it to infact be one. Go to an auto parts store buy a compression tester. Run the test on all 4 cylinders. Also if you have any CEL codes, what are they?

I have a P0401, and i have 2 others that i cant remember the actual code, but 1 is the intake manifold tuning valve open, and the a catalyst efficiency below threshold, which i think was caused by a severe misfire i had last year.

 

[exalted_one]

I have a P0401, and i have 2 others that i cant remember the actual code, but 1 is the intake manifold tuning valve open

I literately got the VTCS malfunction code the day before my head gasket blew although I tend to think that was more coincidence than anything. When taking everything apart i noticed the vacuum actuator was stuck and I was able to free it by hand just moving it back and forth a few times.

Seriously don't play around with this, my head gasket went out when I was on the interstate and all of my oil went into the cooling system, this caused me to spin a rod bearing(maybe multiple) and now I have A LOT of work ahead of me.

I would do a compression or leakdown test ASAP, if that checks out ok you need to address why the cooling system is boiling, I would do a cooling system flush.

Also are you saying that you have had codes on since last year? You need to reset your CEL so you can identify when you have a problem.

 

[Jordysoso]

I'd get yourself set up to do a headgasket job. Does your car ever run hot? And also if you do the headgasket, take the head to a machine shop to be milled flat. If compression is fine, you can still have a leak in your head gasket. Mine was on the exhaust side due to the motor missing a dowel pin around cyl 3 on the exhaust side. Causing a leak and eventually complete failure.

 

[tweety2300]

Do a cylinder compression test and a radiator compression test. If you have white smoke it's more than likely the head gasket

 

[mp5 jester]

Thanks guys ill see what happens in the next few days and go from there

 

[superchargedx]

For sure air in the system!! Likely when the thermostat was changed

 

[mp5 jester]

so got it flushed out and they didnt notice anything wrong with the cooling system and they tried telling me that the overflow reservoir boiling is normal but i have an 03 mp5 and it has never once boiled or even overheated like my 02 does