Re-filling cooling system
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Sydney NSW
Re-filling cooling system
Hello I re-filled the coolant after changeing a thermostat gasket through the water neck opening first till it was full then attached the top rad. hose then added water to the top rad. out let till the water kept increasing till the water level in the recovery tank was 3/4 full but what Im concerned about is the top rad. hose appears to have no water in it even after several eng. warm up cycles is it because the top rad. hose is higher than the the recovery tank? the car is a 1971 b/b car. thank-you.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 16
From: Fl
If there is no water flowing through the upper hose at all, then the thermostat is probaly not opening.
I do not think that the hose being higher than the recovery tank would cause any issues - it does not on my car at all.
I do not think that the hose being higher than the recovery tank would cause any issues - it does not on my car at all.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
that the new t-stat could be sticking but you could also just have some air remaining in the system.Try this. With the radiator cap off, fill the rad to overflowing. Start the engine and observe the water in the rad as the engine warms up. If the t-stat is working, you should see the water start circulating and probably start overflowing out of the rad cap. Most of the time the air will work itself out with the cap off. If you don't start seeing the water circulating then either a stuck t-stat or possibly dead water pump. If no water circulating then I'd first take out the t-stat and start the engine without one to see if you get water ciruculation.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 16
From: Fl
On BB cars there is not a cap on the radiatior. It is sealed and has a 3/8 hose runnibg to the over-flow/expansion tank.
There is no easy way to check for water flow in the radiator.
What I have found that works very well is:
1. before putting the thermostat housing back on, fill the engine with the anti-freeze / water mixture.
2. put the thermostat and housing on the car.
3. connect the upper hose to the radiator and fill it until it is just about to run out.
4. connect and clamp hose.
5. add fluid to expansion tank just until you see it on the bottom of the fill neck.
6. start car and watch level in expansion tank as it warms up.
7. add fluid and fill to appropriate height.
NOTE:
don't over fill it - when the car gets to operating temp, it will flow water higher in the tank. The excess will likely come out the over-flow hose at some point.
There is also a very old trick I have done (on my car now). Drill a very small hole in the thermostat, it will allow the air to burp out of the system while the car is cold.
Hope this helps some ----
Bill
There is no easy way to check for water flow in the radiator.
What I have found that works very well is:
1. before putting the thermostat housing back on, fill the engine with the anti-freeze / water mixture.
2. put the thermostat and housing on the car.
3. connect the upper hose to the radiator and fill it until it is just about to run out.
4. connect and clamp hose.
5. add fluid to expansion tank just until you see it on the bottom of the fill neck.
6. start car and watch level in expansion tank as it warms up.
7. add fluid and fill to appropriate height.
NOTE:
don't over fill it - when the car gets to operating temp, it will flow water higher in the tank. The excess will likely come out the over-flow hose at some point.
There is also a very old trick I have done (on my car now). Drill a very small hole in the thermostat, it will allow the air to burp out of the system while the car is cold.
Hope this helps some ----
Bill
