what would cause a quick puff of coolant inside?

[snelson]

Hey guys,
Just finished a 9-10 hour drive from Banff up to Prince George BC and a queer thing happened about an hour out of Banff. I had plugged in the van all night (it was -30 in when we left), van started really easy in the morning.
Driving along with the heat on and windshield defrost blowing, then all of a sudden a quick fog up on the windshield and a smell of coolant. Lasted about 3-4 seconds, no temp raise/fall. Just the sweet smell of antifreeze, the windshield fogged up then fairly quickly went away.....

So long story short - no harm, no foul. But just curious what the heck would cause this? Obviously coolant got released from the closed system somewhere along the line.... But 8ookm later she's still running perfect.

Any thoughts? Anything I should check?

Two more days till Festivus!! Looking forward to the Airing of Grievances....

[Erebus]

Leaking heater core would be the most plausible explanation for the coolant fogging up the windshield. Been there, done that. But stopping by itself is curious. Depending on weather, check all the hoses you can reach to see/feel if they are wet.

If you can't track anything down, some leakstop in the coolant might be a good idea. Cause if it starts leaking and fogging up the windshield in cold weather you will have serious problem driving. You'll basically have to stop.

Sounds like eventually the heater core will need to be be pulled, which I gather is a really sucky job, since is is buried in the dash.