A couple days ago, I drove my firebird in 105 heat for about 25-30 minutes. During the first 15 minutes, I stopped at a light and the driver next to me pointed out that my radiator was leaking. I figured it was just a little antifreeze coming out of the overflow. After reaching my destination, I opened the hood and saw a constant flow of antifreeze coming out of the overflow tube. It kept coming out for another what seemed like 4-5 minutes. Is this normal? The tempurature gauge showed about 200 degrees. I'm planning on going to hot august nights and this has me concerned. Thanks and Have a good weekend!

Paul

without a recovery tank, the fill level should be 4-5 inches below the neck of the radiator to allow for expansion. if you fill it all the way to the top it will come out through the overflow tube. i have, and i know others have put a recovery/expansion tank on to keep from dumping coolant at stop lights.

Had you just topped off your rad? Usually that will happen till it reaches the right level of coolant. Mine usuall sits about 5 inches down from the filler. It's really tempting to fill it up when you see it down that far but it will just puke it out on the next drive if you do. I think original tanks had a "fill to here" line on the side.

Sounds normal, if you had the rad full. When you shut it off without the coolant circulating the engine heat transfers to the coolant and it pukes. It's better to run with a tank as the rad will always be full cold or hot, more coolant less air, better cooling system. Just be sure to get an overflow tank with enough capacity to hold the coolant expelled during expansion. I put 3" X 10" tank on mine and it's not quite large enough.

I highly suggest you just add an overflow tank. Frankly I prefer the clear plastic variety. Several side benefits. 1. You might save a dog's life by not leaving puddles behind. 2. You will run your radiator filled to the very top...adding coolant capacity and cooling ability. 3. You can check your coolant level at a glance by simply looking at the "cold" and "hot" fill lines on the plastic tank at any engine temp, and not having to open anything.

If you desperately need to maintain a pure stock look, a tank can be hidden in front of the core support beneath the airflow baffles. Universal plastic tanks available at every auto parts store for $15. And fancier/more expensive options are also available...

I have always topped it off, but it never gushed out it did in that heat. I won't top it off anymore and will look into an overflow tank. Thanks everyone for the advice.

I'm willing to bet it did gush out before...probably every time you topped it off and then went for a drive. You just never had anyone next to you at the light tell you about it happening before, and it finished burping out while you were driving down the road so you didn't know it happened.

Cooling systems shouldn't need to have coolant added...ever. If they do get low, it is because they have a coolant leak somewhere that needs repair, or because they've been overfilled each time...followed by burping out all over the pavement when you're not looking.

I agree with the plastic see through tank, I have to take the top off mine to see what's in it. I have the hood open to check oil etc. anyway but a pain.