# My wife drove 5 km after coolent temp warning alarm **URL:** \ **Category:** Safety\ **Tags:** chrysler, towncountry\ **Created:** [August 6, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-wife-drove-5-km-after-coolent-temp-warning-alarm/122422 "2018-08-06T22:43:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Grant\_C](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Grant\_C](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Grant_C)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-wife-drove-5-km-after-coolent-temp-warning-alarm/122422/1 "2018-08-06T22:43:49Z")
So my wife pulled onto a highway the coolent temp alarm went off she drove for 3min…!!! Probably 2 mins at 90km and 1min at 70 then pulled into a gas station. About 5 km distance. Later our mechanic said a coolant hose busted and it was spraying coolant and they opened the hood. So it probably wasn’t completely empty. I realize I am asking a lot but is my engine shot. What should I look for. I have an inspection camera so I could look into the cylinders but I wouldn’t know what to expect to see. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2018, 10:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-wife-drove-5-km-after-coolent-temp-warning-alarm/122422/2 "2018-08-06T22:55:05Z")
Once the hose is replaced and the cooling system refilled, you could try starting and running the engine cautiously. White sweet-smelling “smoke” out the tailpipe is evidence of a blown head gasket. Let us know how that goes. There’s a good chance it’ll be OK. Good luck to you. ---
**Author:** ![Grant\_C](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Grant\_C](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Grant_C)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 1:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-wife-drove-5-km-after-coolent-temp-warning-alarm/122422/3 "2018-08-10T01:47:56Z")
No smoke couldn’t smell anything specifically. It has been a few days. Did small trips with it. It seems fine. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2018, 1:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/my-wife-drove-5-km-after-coolent-temp-warning-alarm/122422/4 "2018-08-10T01:53:41Z")
Good to know. Keep on eye on coolant level in rad and overflow tank. My bet is - no problem.