help, cracked radiator or coolant ? leaking coolant/fluid..

[bimmerboi43]

sooo sad, im not sure what happened exactly but i think i ran over something
and within minutes my coolant temperature went all the way to the right and the red light came on and i see smoke coming out of my hood. i pull over
and check the coolant and its is steaming and dry. i waited for it to cool down and filled up with water and drove to gas station and car smoked again.. realized there was a leak. something cracked and is leaking... what most likely is the problem and how much would it cost? the car is at a gas station over night so whats probably my best approach now? thanks..

~brian.

[malina]

Check Water pump and coolant hoses.

[zeshon]

Also check the expansion tank. It's a plastic box on the drivers side of the radiator. Those fail pretty often.

[minimouse]

I can't really help as have a similar problem myself! I noticed steam coming out from a pin-head hole situated on top of a hose link to the expansion tank and wonder if it is a safety valve. Can anyone help? Cheers.

[Activ3]

You probably have a broken expansion tank...