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Took my car out. After a few minutes I notice that I'm not getting any heat from the vents. A quick glance at the temp gauge shows Engine at normal operating temperature.

Any gear monkey, weather they are into Muscle cars, Ricers, or exotics knows this is a bad sign. Terminally low coolant.

I bring her around and scoot for home. Temp gauge is closing on the top of the gauge when I wheel into the driveway. I note a small.. VERY small puff of steam escaping from the passanger side of the grill. I pop the hood. Its dark so I get my spot light.

There is a trickle of coolant on the splash pan. and lots of moisture in the engine compartment. Looks to be a crack in the front part of the Radiator tank. No damage, no corrosion. Just... a crack and a thin trickle of coolant.

Is this normal? Does this happen? Is this a sign of a bigger problem (blown headgasket was my first thought).

Ill have more information in the morning after I've had more time to inspect the damage.

Thanks in advance.

Its normal! The end tanks always crack on the passenger side near the top facing the front of the car.

These cars will run a considerable distance with no coolant. If you didn't overheat and the engine isn't louder than normal an oil change + new radiator should fix it.

Watch your oil consumption the first few thousand miles. Its not odd for it to go up when you overheat.

Thanks! I was seriously worried i had a bigger problem!

Just put in a brand new radiator. Guy from the shop also stated that it was a common happenstance. Installed, burping the system now.

Motor is only about 60k old and has never used a lick of oil. but Ill keep an eye on it. About over due for an oil change anyways.

Was a time when I did my oil changes at 3k miles like clockwork... Ive gotten more than a little lazy.