hey guys, so today i go to pull the cutlass out after sitting for a couple weeks and when i go to check the coolant i realize its still under pressure like i just drove it???????
what could cause this, and is it bad for the car??
no overheating problems, radiator and cap are fairly new.
i swear i saw this on here before but couldn't find it when i searched.
thanks in advance for any advice

edit: also i noticed when i step on the accelerator the upper rad hose expands, it is as new as the radiator. is this normal?

 

I leave my cars sit all winter and they both still have pressure when I take the caps off to check the coolant in the spring, just a little whoosh of air when you turn the cap.
I would think that's telling you the system has no leaks and that would be good?
The hose deal I don't know, probably more pump pressure as you accelerate, mine stays the same size no matter what.

 

this is a little more than whoosh, it tries to spew coolant everywhere when i open it. ive had this car for 14 years and it never has been like this before, plus none of my other cars do this??

 

Inspect the overflow hose to see if it's plugged up. Just a thought.

 

x2

 

The little Whoosh is usually not pressure, but vacuum, ie: air entering the system when you break the seal.

The cap is designed to release pressure at a certain point, but also to allow air IN (in newer cars, liquid from the expansion tank) if the pressure gets too low.

The first thing I'd check would be the radiator cap new or not.
Auto parts store probably has a pressure tester and can test the cap for you.

- Eric

 

You never said it spewed.

X2 on the above post.

Reminds me of the what happens when you put a non-vented cap on an unvented gas tank, spews fuel right in your face as the air rushes in when you open it.
I was blinded once that way when I worked at the gas station, I never put my face in the line of fire again.

 

i didnt know they could check it, i think you are probably rite
thanks guys

 

Also, the overflow tube is easy to check -

Either fill the radiator to overflowing and make sure it drains through the tube, or
use a small piece of hose (vacuum or windshield washer hose) to just hold against the little hole and blow through it, or pull the hose off the barb, bend over and blow through it (antifreeze, Ick!).

- Eric