URGENT Advice needed 1997 9000 - AC SYStem exhaust?!?

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Al - 11 Jun 2006 23:12 GMT

Just did a 240 mile run in 30 degree heatwave that has taken the UK by
surprise. ACC on constantly all the way, no problem.

About 20 minutes after parking up I moved the 9000 again to get to my
beloved C900 which had a completely flat battery....another story I'm
afraid. After going forward about ten feet there was a loud whoosh and what
looked like steam/smoke was violently ejected from the gap between the
bonnet (hood) and left wing (fender)

I turned her off pronto and investigated, there is a brown fluid which
appears to have been shot across the front of the engine bay right to left,
but I cant see a source. It has coated the dump valve (recirc valve) and
edge of the radiator fan assembly. I don't seem to have lost any oil,
steering fluid, water or brake fluid. I'm guessing an emergency venting of
fluid from the AC compressor?

Can someone please advise quickly, as I am supposed to be taking this car on
a 1200 mile round trip to Le mans this week starting Thursday morning, and
no way do I want to break down then!!

Many thanks

Al

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- Bob - - 12 Jun 2006 02:15 GMT

>I turned her off pronto and investigated, there is a brown fluid which
>appears to have been shot across the front of the engine bay right to left,
>but I cant see a source. It has coated the dump valve (recirc valve) and
>edge of the radiator fan assembly. I don't seem to have lost any oil,
>steering fluid, water or brake fluid. I'm guessing an emergency venting of
>fluid from the AC compressor?

Not the A/C. It doesn't vent and aside from some fluorescent green
leak detector that might be in there, it is never brown and you would
not see it. Do you have an automatic transmission? It could be tranny
fluid from the cooler. If so, do not drive the car until it is
repaired. It could also be oil blown out of the turbo.

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Al - 12 Jun 2006 10:29 GMT

> >I turned her off pronto and investigated, there is a brown fluid which
> >appears to have been shot across the front of the engine bay right to left,
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> fluid from the cooler. If so, do not drive the car until it is
> repaired. It could also be oil blown out of the turbo.

It's light brown, and suggestions on other forums have been power
steering fluid or the coolant expansion tank venting.
It's a manual not an auto, and shes done 30 miles since with no
problems everything working fine.

The amount of fluid exhausted was probably less than a teacup, and
there are no apparent leaks whilst standing. As a result I really
can't tell if any of the fluid resevoirs are low.

The exhausting sounded very loud, like I'd popped a highly pressured
hose and the cloud of steam/smoke from the gap was quite violent. I'm
begining to suspect a simple coolant expansion tank venting. I have
looked again and there appear to be no loose/damaged hoses and as
previously stated she runs just fine.

I'm dropping her into Phil and Phil for a quick once over at lunch time
just to be sure. I'll let the group know if I get an answer.

Cheers

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Charles C. - 12 Jun 2006 21:46 GMT

>>> I turned her off pronto and investigated, there is a brown fluid which
>>> appears to have been shot across the front of the engine bay right to left,
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> hose and the cloud of steam/smoke from the gap was quite violent. I'm
> begining to suspect a simple coolant expansion tank venting.

Yes, but that should not be brown. Is the colour of the fluid in the
expansion tank brown (or a shade near brown). If you have antifreeze it
should be the colour of antifreeze.

> I have
> looked again and there appear to be no loose/damaged hoses and as
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Cheers

Regards
Charles

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Al - 14 Jun 2006 19:44 GMT

>>>> I turned her off pronto and investigated, there is a brown fluid which
>>>> appears to have been shot across the front of the engine bay right to
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> expansion tank brown (or a shade near brown). If you have antifreeze it
> should be the colour of antifreeze.

Well both of our 9000's have had brownish coolant. I agree it should be a
blueish colour, but that's in an ideal world.

If the radiator starts to rust inside due to a previous owners lack of
fastidiousness with servicing then you can flush and change the antifreeze
as many times as you want, within a few thousand miles it will always revert
to brown.

The only cars I ever drove with blue coolant were brand new company cars.

>> I have
>> looked again and there appear to be no loose/damaged hoses and as
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>>
>> Cheers

Phil and Phil couldn't find a problem and suspected a possible venting of
the AC compressor. All is working OK

Al

> Regards
> Charles

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