So im an idiot.....?

Yeah, the coolant needs to be under pressure to raise its boiling point. With an engine that can run coolant temps up to 235F (with isolated areas even hotter), lack of pressure will cause some real issues.

This sounds like a new permanent thread!

Idiot = being a jerk, like peeling your mustang out of cars and coffee right into a tree.

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*crowd

Very common for it to boil if not under pressure. I actually once heard that this was part of the reason a 6L Powerstroke blew head gaskets (I only heard it once and I know it's not the primary reason, but it might've been a contributing factor). Apparently the radiator caps on the 6L Powerstroke didn't properly seal. So there wasn't enough pressure to raise the boiling point and a 6L pretty much just pumped through boiling coolant, which is hard on head gaskets. As I said, may not have been the primary reason the head gaskets failed, but could definitely be a contributing factor.

I'm thinking if it was just for five minutes you're fine. Just don't do it again!

jblackburn said:

*crowd

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Nope, into a tree is "idiot". Into a crowd is "jerk" at best.

@BrianV

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w4OaQhyXJMA

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bk5TddBBmNg

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=90ba8UtjxKo

Tomko said:

You're not an idiot. You're human.

Now, if you didn't learn from this oversight and repeated your mistake you'd technically be stupid.

Stupid = knowing better, but still repeating the same mistake.

Dumb = not knowing any better and not able to learn the correct method.

Idiot = being a jerk, like peeling your mustang out of cars and coffee right into a tree.

Read more auotmotive mishaps here:

http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/17-off-topic-discussion/206458-stupid-car-tricks.html

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Don't forget - Insane: repeating the same mistake and expecting different results.

Don't feel bad I did the same thing. Drove about 6 miles and coolant boiled up like you stated but mine was the little plastic cap on the reservoir popped it right off. Was in a hurry to top it off when mine was leaking on the water outlet or upper water neck whatever it's called. In the dark and only got cap on part way.