Hi,

unsure if this is the place to post this question:

looking into buying an 03 MCS with 140k miles. Price is set to sell fast (1400). Known issue per OBD scan is the O2 sensor needs replacing. However, after running the car, coolants started to leak from the radiator cap. Does this automatically mean stuck thermostat? Or could it be bad radiator cap?? Car has sat for months (~6). If I buy it, I’ll have to drive it 2.5 hours. The car did not run hot during the initial drive. Temp gauge stayed rig where it’s supposed to be. Need help - is this a potential sign of a lot of major repairs or just a quick replace of the radiator cap?

thanks!

Joe

 

Judging from my car (05), I'd say three things.
1. Bad cap.
2. The cap needs to be "tight". Tighter than you'd think on a plastic reservoir.
3. Water level too high.

Buy a new cap, install it tight, and let the water level find it's own height.
On mine, the..."no seep", level is just above the plastic bottles seam (top to bottom). That's where mine stops pushing water past the cap. Mine runs just below the mid mark on the gauge as a "running" point.

Mike