Air in cooling system...AGAIN!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Air in cooling system...AGAIN!!
I thought I had my air problem licked! 
I keep having to "burp" the system to get any warm air in the cockpit. Tonight, I let the motor run for a good 30 minutes with the cap off, and the antifreeze just stayed right at the neck level. I squeezed the upper radiator hose and the level went down a bit, so I put in more dist. water. Ran it some more, the antifreeze again doesn't go past the filler neck! Put the cap back on and pulled off the overflow tank hose....nothing ever came down the tube. If that's not aggravating enough, when I turn off the engine, my headlights pop up 1/2 way. WTFO? 
I keep having to "burp" the system to get any warm air in the cockpit. Tonight, I let the motor run for a good 30 minutes with the cap off, and the antifreeze just stayed right at the neck level. I squeezed the upper radiator hose and the level went down a bit, so I put in more dist. water. Ran it some more, the antifreeze again doesn't go past the filler neck! Put the cap back on and pulled off the overflow tank hose....nothing ever came down the tube. If that's not aggravating enough, when I turn off the engine, my headlights pop up 1/2 way. WTFO?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
As I posted earlier it could be a bad thermostat. Either take the thermostat out and check it or just replace it with a new one. Be sure to drill one or two small holes in the sides od the thermostat to keep the air lock from happening. But since you have a recurring problem, I suspect you have a malfunctioning thermostat. Get the one that fails in the open mode for safety sake. If this doesn't work for you, we need to ask more questions.
Bernie
Bernie
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by BerniesVette
Get the one that fails in the open mode for safety sake. Bernie
do they actualy make one like that?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
I haven't drilled holes in the thermostat yet.....I just put a new one in on Friday. Does it matter where the holes are? I think I might drain/flush at the same time since I'm a new owner of it. Will let you know how it goes...Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by reckerrp98
I haven't drilled holes in the thermostat yet.....I just put a new one in on Friday. Does it matter where the holes are? I think I might drain/flush at the same time since I'm a new owner of it. Will let you know how it goes...Thanks!
not much room for them i just made mine opposed to each other
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Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Make sure that the upper hose is the EXACT one. Preferably GM.. Then make sure it is routed around in front of the alternator, not over it. IF the upper hose has any places in it that are higher than the pressure cap that is the problem. The cap MUST be the highest point in the system or air will trap at the high piont. When the cap relieve pressure. It needs to be vapor that escapes, not water.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Originally Posted by Larry B.
Make sure that the upper hose is the EXACT one. Preferably GM.. Then make sure it is routed around in front of the alternator, not over it. IF the upper hose has any places in it that are higher than the pressure cap that is the problem. The cap MUST be the highest point in the system or air will trap at the high piont. When the cap relieve pressure. It needs to be vapor that escapes, not water.
everyone always says this about the "high point" in the system but heck, my thermostat is higher than my pressure cap and the hose comes out of the housing at an "up" angle. so how can you ever have the pressure cap as the high point?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
bad air
ok guys, ive got you all covered for this. i worked in a rad shop a couple years, and we licked this problem all the time. for starters, the stat that fails in the open position is real and really a no brainer. second, you can drill holes if you like, but we found ( all knowlege, no college ), you can take two aspirins, the long cylinder type are easiest to use, and place them in between the stat holding it open while the car purges and heats up! roughly around the same time the stat would normally open, is about the same time the aspirin will disolve. ok, as for the high spot in the system, the hose and/or stat housing are the highest spots on c3's. most older housings have/had removable plugs, i used to BLEED the air. and i suppose the jacking the front up attack, is the same, or as good. also you can use a vacuam pump with gauge if you are well equiped, and solve the air lock problem 
