Recent my 2000 has been leaking coolant out of the overflow tube when i park it after driving. Sometimes its a few drops, other times its a half gallon.

About a month ago I noticed sometimes my heat would blow cold so I replaced the thermostat. After I did that is when I noticed the coolant. I figured I got air in the system so I purged the air and filled the overflow but it still seems to overflow leaving my overflow container empty and my rad low. I also replaced the rad cap in the hopes that it would stop. Just today one of my heater hoses went. Could this be related to a head gasket failure. I have no leaking coolant anywhere and I know its coming from the overflow tube.

Do i need to flush the heater core? Is this related to H.G. failure or not.

 

Hey! First things first! Pressure test the system while cold,if possible. If you don't have any oil contamination,the head gasket is unlikely. From your description of symptoms,it may actually need a good coolant system flushossible blockage-which unfortunately does not rule out the lower intake gasket issue as well!Search this site and you will find your answer! Let us know! step66

 

Just did an oil change a couple days ago no contamination. I did search but the terms i was searching didnt lead me to a problem like mine and I did more than 5 min of research. I just didnt know if it was a common problem.

I didnt notice any rust in the thermo. I just took the heater hose off and it is caked with metal flakes. So I guess from what I understand from reading some things and what you said, I just need a good flush. Should I buy a bottle of the flush cleaner from the parts store.

 

metal flakes uh oh. water pump impellor must be eating itself up. how hot is this thing running?

 

Water pump is 2 years old, I have receipt from previous owner. And it runs perfectly in range just alittle above 1/4 on the gauge and my heat blows hot. the gauge dosent fluctuate unless I run low on coolant. These are definitely flakes of rust or rust deposit build up I doubt it is the water pump.

EDIT: should/ how do I flush the radiator