I had my 95 Viper out on a short run and on return parked it in garage with no evidence of over heat or smell of Antifreeze. I put the car cover on and closed garage door. 1 week later when I went to remove cover I noticed a large puddle of Antifreeze under front of car about a gallon on the floor. After some investigation all the Antifreeze came out of the small center drain hole under the front facia. I pressurized the coolant system to 15PSI and it held that pressure for the 2 min that is required. I then checked cap pressure that relieved at 16 PSI per the manual. I think that an over pressue condition may have caused the problem and I have checked all hoses water pump head gasket and all connections and can find no evidence of a leak but cant see what could have caused the Antfreeze to come out of the drain hole under the front facia. I have not replaced the Antifreeze or ran the engine since this happened. Has anyone else ever experianced this?
Puddle of Anti freeze on garage floor
- Thread starter Big Dog
- Start date
How much coolant is in the fascia's overflow bottle? Tap any curbs on your outing?
How much coolant have you needed to add to refill the system? Were the radiator and the timing chain cover gasket both OK?
Oil level "normal"?
How much coolant have you needed to add to refill the system? Were the radiator and the timing chain cover gasket both OK?
Oil level "normal"?
SNAKE BITE
Viper Owner
If you hit a parking curb or the like, their is a fascia bolt that will puncture the bottle. Happens to many people. I would guess that is the issue.
LifeIsGood
Enthusiast
Do you know if the overflow bottle had coolant in it before this event?
dave6666
Enthusiast
The overflow bottle, at least on the Gen 2, has a vent in it to atmosphere. It will over time, certainly 2 years, evaporate off the water component of your coolant, assuming you are using a water based coolant. Therefore, a couple times a year, you should top off that bottle with distilled water. Or premixed coolant if you live in a cold climate and the car is subjected to freezing temps frequently. Otherwise, the water you added will mix in with the bulk of the coolant over a few runs.
If you like, call me for a longer, more detailed discussion.
Big Dog, I find it most helpful to check the coolant level in both the pressure bottle under the hood and the overflow bottle in the nose before and after each use if you are only driving said Viper occasionally. If you are able to drive it regularly, then I would suggect that you check these things weekly as this cooling system has its own quirks...and, this can be a costly arena if neglected. I have met literally dozens of Gen I and II long term Viper owners ( and one self proclaimed "viper tech") who had no idea there was a bottle in the nose...let alone how it functions or should be inspected and/or serviced. Many of us have had to learn this the hard way. 
dave6666
Enthusiast
+1 on checking the surge tank level (the plastic tank on the fender with the radiator cap) every now and then. If it is low, and the overflow tank in the fascia has fluid in it, that is a clue there is possibly a problem with your radiator cap, or a leak in the hose line to the fascia tank. Meaning, it's sucking in air during cool down after a drive. Meaning possibly the list of causes I just listed.
I would like to thank all my fellow Viper drivers for their input. After reading your input and a call to Shawn at Roe I found that the coolant recovery bottle under the front facia was defective, propaply cracked. Since its impossible to get at without removing the facia I installed an aftermarket bottle and placed it on the wheel well under the power brake booster and plumbed the line in front of the motor and into the deaeration pressure bottle.Problem solved for 50 bucks and its easy to service.
dave6666
Enthusiast
How about a pic of said new bottle installation?
