SWelsch

So I'm driving to work this morning and I dropped the right front wheel off the edge of the blacktop into the ditch on the right side of the road. Clearly I wasn't paying attention. Shortly thereafter I get a indicator light telling me to check the coolant level.
there was fluid in the container but it was clearly low, in any event I continue to head to work until I get a warning to turn the car off. The temperature gauge was still perfect so I continued to the office, park the car and just as I did the temperature gauge spiked up but didn't hit the red line. I had the car towed to the dealer and I'm waiting to hear back but I was curious as to what you all think might have gotten damaged. Pretty sure that there was no coolant left or very little left by the time I got to work

derfA8L

SWelsch

As you likely expected, ruptured the coolant line going back to the heater core. The dealer quoted me $2100. He said the lines weren't expensive but that it was pretty labor intensive.
I was amazed at how long the car ran in normal temp range after the 1st warning. Probably 6 or 7 miles. I'm running it thru insurance ($500 deductible) as I've never had a claim. Ever.
I think I'll watch where I'm going a little more. You'd think after almost 50 years behind the wheel I'd have figured that out!!

derfA8L

No matter how long you drive a car, stuff happens, and to all of us...so take it with a grain of expensive gourmet salt, I suppose. Driving off the roadway edge into a ditch could have resulted in something way worse. BTW, good idea about going the insurance route on that R/O.