My mrs has just returned from a 20 mile round trip journey and has just came running Into the house to tell me that there is smoke coming from the bonnet.
On investigation I noticed it was steam coming from the radiator cap.
The radiator cap had not been put on correctly 2 hours previously, I'm the guilty party.
Will this have caused any damage to the engine and can I drive my car 1 mile to the local garage to do what they have to do?2005 wrx wagon

 

We can't tell you whether it'll have caused any damage to the engine on the basis of the information provided. It certainly won't have done things any favours.

Has it boiled all the coolant out, or can you still see liquid in the header tank/rad?

 

I have opened the radiator cap and have seen green fluid, there is also fluid in the coolant reseervoir although it is on the low side

 

Phew, that's not good. You could have cooked and damaged the headgaskets..............

 

Check in the morning when it's cold. You'll be able to get at least a rough idea how much is left by squeezing the bottom rad pipe. If it feels dry, then I'd prepare for the worst. If it's still clearly full of liquid, then that's a better omen.

Did your other half notice the temperature gauge heading skywards at any point then?

If all else fails tomorrow, before moving it, the least you should do is refill it. If you only have to drive it a mile or two, then you may as well just put water in - making a note of how much you're putting in. If you're very lucky it will just need an oil change and a fill with a proper coolant mix. Indeed if there's nothing obviously wrong that's likely to be all the garage will do, with the theory being that any further damage will eventually make itself obvious. If your luck isn't in, well, get it to the garage and go from there.

 

Mechanic is more than happy with car pheew!!