I was wondering if anyone knew the symptoms of a bad coolant seal, I know two:

1) coolant loss.
2) sweet smelling smoke at startup for a brief minute or two.

What other problems have similar symptoms? (I know the AST cap and Radiator cap are two)
Does anyone know what other symptoms could be apparent?

 

Other symptoms of bad coolant seal: Hydrocarbons in your coolant (have a "sniffer" test done at a competent shop), a stream of tiny bubbles at the filler neck when running the engine at roughly 1000 or more rpm (usually requires a funnel stuffed into the filler neck to avoid over-spill), coolant coming out the overflow tank while the engine is running (more often than not this is due to constant re-filling of the coolant system as it gets chewed up during running), overheating, difficulty starting, and wet spark plugs.

Similar problems: pinhole leak in one of the 12 hoses that make up the stock cooling system, incomplete air removal (burping) when replacing coolant after having drained the system.

Some might say the gurgling sound you get at shutoff is due strictly to blown seals, but others have reported this when only a cap or hose was bad. Water rushing sound inside the pasenger compartment (which is air moving through the heater core) can be caused by seal failure and as well as the other causes I listed above.

I'm sure there might be more, but these are the most common I've seen listed over the last year or two on the board...

 

i believe it would set off the engine temperature gauge constantly. The gauge will go up and then it'll beep and then drop back down. If this keeps goin' on, then you will need a motor replacement.

 

what about tanish watery/thick stuff near the top of the oil filler neck?

 

 

Ok, well then I believe I may be screwed, but I will have to go in depth on the diagnosis.

I started up the FD and warmed her up, about 2 minutes after driving the add coolant light blinks on for about a minute. Then stops.

I pushed the car a bit and hit 6k RPM through 1st and 2nd, when I idled for a minute I started leaking coolant at the overflow tank area.

I got home, idled for a bit and saw coolant splooging out the overflowo tank once again. I turn off the engine, and I hear a gurgling and more coolant hits the ground... so I guess I'm fucked.

Could it be AST cap/Radiator cap? Hopefully... just hopefully it's only a hose... what else could it possibly be... I seriously hope I didn't blow my seals... I haven't ever leaked... only when I pushed the car like today.

 

@ubernoober

Most likely you'll notice a coolant seal damage with severe starting problems...wet sparks don't light up too well

More than 10 seconds of cranking under normal means hot engine conditions is suspicious. If so, there is only one other possible reason: Engine flood.

To find out watch your coolant level closely...if any missing after refill to top and no leaks on the coolant systems...there you have it.

cheers
Patrick