Cooling system question.

[Rotary#10]

Hey folks on my way uphill the upper radiator hose slipped off. and the Temp went up to 3/4. I quicky shut down the car. On the highway and let it sit for about 20mins walked to the gas station to see if they sold 50/50 coolant and barrow a screw driver. I let the car cool for about another 30mins. Opened the top and slapped in some coolant just about filled up the radiator. now that everything is hopefully cool. Is it still safe to drive the car without harming the motor? Also I drove the car home. Rolled it down hill. the Rpms stayed about in the 2k rpm range. The temp gauge reads from cold to 1/4 as I had to turn the car and drive about 2 miles. So whats wrong with the temp gauge? Also there is no milky or brown looking stuff in the oil. However the coolant has some gray stuff ( looks like the RTV sealant I lightly used) for the waterpump and thermostat. I hope I didn't blow the motor.
thanks

[Herblenny]

Well, your coolant hose might of slipped off because 1. it was getting too hot or 2. your coupler wasnt tight.

I'm more of a 3rd gen guy but if you crank the car, let it sit, and watch the water temp.. If it continues to go up while standing, then I would do a coolant seal test to be sure. If after 10 mins, your temp remain normal, then I wouldn't worry about it.

[Rotary#10]

that the thing the hoses slipped off. and it only warms - up to 1/4 like a s4? any Ideas? could it be theromsensor went bad in the process. thanks for the reply Herblenny

[djmtsu]

If you only topped off the radiator, you probably are still low.

-take off the radiator cap (with the car COLD!)
-fire it up
-once it starts to get warm, the thermostat should open, and the coolant level should go down.
-continue to top it off until it will not take anymore
-replace the cap and make sure your overflow is at the correct level

Being low on coolant should trigger your low coolant light, and the buzzer. Also, it can screw with your idle, since the sensor may not have adequate contact with warm coolant.

The idle on my Miata was high, and I could not figure out why. After I topped off the coolant, it settled down, and is now perfect.

Damn fuel injection :)

[Rotary#10]

Thats the thing I did put coolant in when the motor was cool. I didn't get a coolant buzzer. I turned the car on and topped it off. I put water in the overflow tank. im begining to think my thermostat is the problem but i'll check the FSM

[Phoenix7]

Might be an old t-stat or a clogged radiator...if the hose popped off then it means it's after teh t-stat...water flows through it and then stops somewhere and pressure builds.

How's the car been since this happened?

[Rotary#10]

i runs the same now since i got the old thermostat from the blue one. LOL part 2 of story of my life

[Phoenix7]

runs fine? or is having problems?

[Rotary#10]

runs great now. Got some nice good old used tires with some vert rims.. the car is Toast now hehe.