Calm down Brosky. Check your engine oil for water. If there is no water in the oil and the radiator is still full after you filled it then i doubt there is a problem anywhere. Although I did just learn something new about the loose radiator cap thing. Good to know. How does the loose radiator cap help hide those two problems Camaro 69?

 

With the cap on tight, the system builds up pressure. Let's say you have a cap rated at 15 psi, you'd have close to that pressure level inside the engine, or higher when it gets real hot and releases into the overflow tank. So if there is a crack or failed gasket, coolant can get through. Depending on where a head gasket leak may be, or if a crack in the cylinder wall, coolant can get sucked in on the downstroke (vacuum cycle). I know someone who got duped from this very thing. Bought a car, and then later noticed the radiator cap was loose (he didn't check first either). Tightened the cap down, and white steam instantly came pouring out the exhaust. Engine had a cracked cylinder wall. And a lesson was learned.

 

Wow!...

 

so today I filled up the radiator, tightened the cap, and went for a ride. did not see any white smoke coming out of the tail pipes. temp got up to about 180 and noticed drops of coolant coming out of the little hole on the side of the radiator cap (why is it there?). drove for about 5 miles and temp stayed around 180 and below 210.

I checked the hole on the side right below the radaitor cap, and no drops coming out but when I got home, and engine turned off, notced drops of coolant again.

please don't tell me this hole also masks engine issues..

 

Is that "hole" a nipple on the neck of the radiator? That's where you would connect a hose and run it to an overflow tank. If it's just a dribble, then no, it's not enough to mask any engine problems. Leaking right away tells me the cap may be bad and not holding pressure, or there's crud on the rubber seal ring, or on the radiator neck flange. Get a new cap if it looks like you could need one, drive the car, and keep an eye on the level. Still could be back to one of the earlier scenarios where some idiot forgot to fill it back up after a drain. Who knows, maybe the previous owner stored it like that for the winter, and oops, forgot!

 

yes, on the neck and just a dribble. I will just replace the cap. So the dealer told me they did drain the radiator (looks like they change the oild too) and that possibly they forgot to fill it up or there was a bubble?? He offered to pay the 3.5 gals I put in. I don't care about that. I am just mad as hell that i drove like that and could have damaged the engine big time and that i should have checked. so pissed that unable to sleep last nite. thanks everyone. expect more stupid questions from me in the future.

 

That's what these forums are for man!