Broken coolant fitting causing overheating question....

[jonny1506]

2000 1.8t Scenario is this: driving along and steam starts blowing everywhere under hood. Find that Straight Distribution T-pipe that is located in line with the upper radiator hose has snapped off. Got it fixed and now shop is saying potential blown head gasket because there is back pressure in coolant expansion tank. Thoughts, ideas on how to pursue this....increased pressure possible reason for pipe to break? If so water pump??etc... Thank you in advance. Jon

[jonny1506]

Bump to any ideas?

[DZLBUG]

The pipe broke on its own, fairly common issue. If it ran for any amount of time without coolant, the head gasket might have blown.

I would try driving it for awhile and see what happens. Monitor the oil closely and check it for coolant mixing in. Maybe take it to another shop for a second opinion. The shop may or may not be trying to drum up more business.

[D2Beetle]

If you have back pressure in the expansion tank, your coolant will be forced out through overflow tube; check it, if it is you can perform a leak down test to confirm it.

[jonny1506]

Thanks guys I will give that a shot.