The time a coolant hose blew and I got a free shower

I was working on a 6.7 Powerstroke in a tight shop bay in Tacoma last Tuesday, just finishing up a thermostat job. I started it to check for leaks, and the upper radiator hose clamp wasn't fully seated. The hose popped off like a rocket, spraying a perfect arc of hot coolant right over my head. It drenched me and the whole engine bay. My buddy just started laughing and said, 'Well, at least you know the new thermostat opens.' I spent the next hour cleaning green coolant off everything, including the ceiling tiles. Anyone else have a simple job turn into a mess like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

mila_mitchell10d ago

Used to think coolant smelled bad until I got a face full of it. Now I'm just glad it wasn't transmission fluid.

johnfoster10d ago

Honestly, that green coolant smell is the worst part, it sticks with you all day. Transmission fluid is nasty, but at least the smell doesn't linger in your nose for hours like that sweet, sticky antifreeze stench. Getting soaked with any of it is a bad time, but coolant has its own special kind of awful.