Gas

A few days ago after I parked my car in the driveway, I smelled a slight burning smell from the hood of my 06 TL. When I popped the hood I saw spilled coolant all over the engine. I had a cracked coolant tank cap. While examining the tank and hoses for other potential leaks the inner hose came loose and fell inside the tank. I took the reservoir tank out, emptied out the coolant, retrieved the hose and installed the tank back along with a new cap. However, it seems to still be spilling a bit because the black round rubber sealant that goes around the inner hose connecting underneath the coolant cap is missing so there is some coolant spilling out. I have 3 questions:
1. Should I not have taken out the tank and emptied out the coolant this way? Is there any air that potentially got into the radiator?? (dumb question?)
2. What do I do now? Flush the coolant or just replace the whole reservoir tank?
3. Is it safe to drive it like this? I haven't driven it in 2 days but the last time I checked it 2 days ago the reservoir coolant was at max level.



Thanks!

t-rd

You can get a new tank, but it doesn't need to be OEM. There is a pretty good one on Amazon.


NO, you aren't getting any air into the system by swapping out the tank. The tank is only for fluid expansion and contraction. I do recommend that you put a couple spring clamps onto that little hose leading to the tank. Picture here shows that I did, because I used to get leak from that hose also.

thoiboi

worm gear clamps > spring clamps too if you can't find spring clamps.