Ok, well, that's perhaps an exaggeration -- but it's been so freakin' long since I've had a problem with my car, I feel inclined toward hyperbole.

Short story: suddenly, the front left 1/3 of the radiator (bonnet up and looking toward it) has begun to steam. It smells faintly of coolant, and begins pretty quickly after startup. So far as I can tell, there is no point after which it stops steaming, and absolutely no steam comes from any other section of the radiator.

Long story (in case of relevance): In September, I got a check engine light and lifted the bonnet. I could tell that the overflow tank had, in fact, overflowed at some point, though not recently. I also noticed that, despite it being a hot day, the fan never turned on (as it usually does) when I shut down the car. It was determined that the light was thrown due to an O2 sensor, and the mechanic could not duplicate the apparent overflow incident.

I drove the car without incident until 2 weeks ago, at which point I had it towed to a garage when, suddenly, it began steaming profusely. Temp guage never moves, and there's no rough idle, but I erred on the side of extreme caution. Mechanic said it was the overflow tank cap, then said that the tank itself was also cracked. I replaced both bits. About a week thereafter, on a rainy day, the boyfriend noticed the front end steaming, which I immediately wrote off as Dragon's Breath -- I mean, cold and wet, right!? Fast forward to today, when he noticed the steaming just pulling the car into the garage after giving it a quick bath. I was, again, immediately inclined to yell "Dragon's Breath!" but the fact that it was only coming from one very specific spot gave me pause.

I get no lights, no running issues save for an occasional rough idle that I tap down, and the temp guage pegs at ideal.

The questions: 1) anyone had this issue?

2) How bad does it suck to replace the radiator? We're thinking we'll do it ourselves (read: he'll mostly do it, I'll get us beer and accidentally kick bolts under the car every so often) but it'd be nice to know what to expect beforehand.

Also, I feel compelled to add, for anyone who knows me and is still around: 120K, now, and I swear to god Ollie has actually gotten more reliable/less nuissance-y with time.

 

Having swapped out a fan on an S, I would say as long as you know how to put the car in service mode, and swing the A/C evoraporator out of the way, no problem. Dragon breath.....lol, I'll remember that one next time I see some steam!

 

+1 should be cake . also may i say you have a great sence of humor and your boyfriend is a lucky guy ( you openly admityou'll be kickin stuff around on him ) ,. lol

 

Thanks guys -- good to hear it won't be a massive headache, as has been almost all other self-executed work

And thanks, Herbie

 

There have been reports of the upper rad hose wearing a small hole in that side from rubbing on the radiator. Check that out before getting to involved.

 

^^ that is fantastic info. Thanks -- I'll check!

 

Hi Kelly...long time...if you need any parts that you can't get aftermarket/locally let me know.

 

Joaquin! *waves maniacally* I know, right?!? My car's been all . . . functional. And stuff. It's been weird!

And thanks for that -- I'll let you know