overheating

[wengr]

Hello, I purchased a new to me 83 pinin azzura today. Ok conditon, not great but I can live with it. 78k miles. drove it home 2.5 hours in rain and snow, and near the end of the trip experienced overheating and coolant loss. not sure of the source of the loss as it's sprayed all over the engine compartment. I want to say the loss is a result of the overheating and not vice versa. What's the likely cause? here's a hint - the upper radiator hose is collapsed, as if under suction. I hope I did not damage anything, but the cyl. head did not sound so great on this one anyway. thanks for any advice, greg

[So Cal Mark]

usually a collapsed hose means a thermostat is not opening. First step now is to fill the system and pressure test it. If no leaks are found, check for circulation. Lack of circulation could be a plugged radiator, stuck thermostat or bad impeller on the water pump. Or a combination of all 3

[wengr]

Thanks Mark, that makes sense, here is something else I recently noticed. while the radiator was mostly depleated, the expansion tank is full. most likely more in there than I started with. as if it forced coolant into the expansion tank, but cannot draw it back to the radiator. I don't have the gear for a press test but I'll call around.

[TulsaSpider]

I got one at Advanced Auto Parts. They include them in their "loaner" program.

[wengr]

thanks, I've got an Advance very near. I'll check it out.