coolant turning into foam

Has anyone ever had their coolant turn into foam? How could that
happen in a closed system under pressure?

 

Conjecture: Possibly from combustion gasses getting into the coolant through
a blown head gasket or cracked head?

 

Year/Model???

Are you actually seeing "foam"/bubbles or are you mistaking "stop leak"
for foam like people often do?

 

Wouldn't such a condition manifest itself in other ways, such as in
really lousy engine performance?

 

'95 SL2

I smelled coolant while getting out of the car after a ten mile drive,
and inspection under the hood revealed that coolant had been forced
out of the overflow tank, with the surrounding area sporting a very
foamy coating.

During daylight the next day, the cap was removed, and what was
visible in the overflow tank was foam.

 

Not necessarily. Get it checked out ASAP to prevent major damage. Have you
looked at your oil lately? A head gasket can leak between the combustion
chamber and cooling jacket, or between the oil and coolant, or from
combustion chamber to the oil. Each will provide a different experience.
If the leak is small, it can be a long time before it becomes noticeable.

Good luck and post what you learn to benefit others.

Bob

 

Out of risk of activating yet another flame war over the subject - could
a blown head gasket possibly lead to a cracked head? I could imagine if
you've got co,bustion gases blowing out, you'd get a localized hot spot
and all.

And hey, is it me, or are head gasket 'issues' a popular defect in a LOT
of cars out there from everyone?