coolant levels
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From: Port Charlotte Fl
coolant levels
this may seem like a fairly simple question but....
at engine off, the coolant level is at the top or the radiator, when i start the engine, the level drops about 2"-3". Now since the top of the radiator is lower than the top of the cooling jacket on the engine i would somewhat expect this, i did top it off with the engine running, and temp up to 140*. Now a week later the level is right back to the same thing, coolant level to top of rad with engine off, but drops with engine running, and yes the coolant res. is higher than before ( accounts for differance in level). How ever some of my concerns are as follows...
Coolant in resivoir never seems hot (after driving). Temps ( indicated) never shows beyound 190* after driving for a while, but when oil is at temp ( 170* ) engine will develop a ping when medium to heavy throttle is applied. No Ping is detectable while Oil/engine temp is as below 160*.
at engine off, the coolant level is at the top or the radiator, when i start the engine, the level drops about 2"-3". Now since the top of the radiator is lower than the top of the cooling jacket on the engine i would somewhat expect this, i did top it off with the engine running, and temp up to 140*. Now a week later the level is right back to the same thing, coolant level to top of rad with engine off, but drops with engine running, and yes the coolant res. is higher than before ( accounts for differance in level). How ever some of my concerns are as follows...
Coolant in resivoir never seems hot (after driving). Temps ( indicated) never shows beyound 190* after driving for a while, but when oil is at temp ( 170* ) engine will develop a ping when medium to heavy throttle is applied. No Ping is detectable while Oil/engine temp is as below 160*.
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Re: coolant levels (LarryK 87)
:cheers: I am both amazzed and confused by the temps you post, but first things first. It appears that the coolant you are adding is ending up in the reservoir and even though reservoir level is climbing, radiator level declines! Correct?
Check your radiator cap! Cap seal has to be tight to suck the coolant out of the reservoir and back into the block as the system cools down. I'd just buy a new cap, cheap enough. I like the Stant caps with the pressure releas lever.
As to your temps and "pinging", are you sure your guges are right?
My car runs very cool, but not that cool! Are those temps within the first few minutes of startup or after running a while?
Jack
Check your radiator cap! Cap seal has to be tight to suck the coolant out of the reservoir and back into the block as the system cools down. I'd just buy a new cap, cheap enough. I like the Stant caps with the pressure releas lever.
As to your temps and "pinging", are you sure your guges are right?
My car runs very cool, but not that cool! Are those temps within the first few minutes of startup or after running a while?
Jack
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From: Port Charlotte Fl
Re: coolant levels (jackdaroofer)
i was suspecting the cap, and it is a cheap replacement item, so that will go this weekend.
Yes the temps are very low ie: ThanksGiving weekend i topped the rad and drove home that night, air temps where around 60* and engine temp NEVER climbed above 170* and it was a three hour drive @ highway speeds ( was following the wifes car, so speeds where 65-70 mph range) so i am also thinking that the thermostat has been removed ( rad shows vigorus water movement when first started and cold)
The highest temps i have ever seen on this car was 201* in the dead heat of summer in stop & go traffic in S.W. Fla.
Also as a side note, the Main cooling fan is always on ( will assume it was bypassed to ground to cause this), just have not worried to much to chase that yet, if it's cool it cant hurt it.
Can not attest to the overall accuracy of the gauges, but due to age, i am contemplating replaceing the oil temp, Pressure, and coolant temp sensors. Low Level sensor is bad ( have not installed the new one yet) and shunted to ground to prevent the CC indicator.
Timing may just be the issue with the pinging,just not sure why it occurs only after oil temp is up.
Yes the temps are very low ie: ThanksGiving weekend i topped the rad and drove home that night, air temps where around 60* and engine temp NEVER climbed above 170* and it was a three hour drive @ highway speeds ( was following the wifes car, so speeds where 65-70 mph range) so i am also thinking that the thermostat has been removed ( rad shows vigorus water movement when first started and cold)
The highest temps i have ever seen on this car was 201* in the dead heat of summer in stop & go traffic in S.W. Fla.
Also as a side note, the Main cooling fan is always on ( will assume it was bypassed to ground to cause this), just have not worried to much to chase that yet, if it's cool it cant hurt it.
Can not attest to the overall accuracy of the gauges, but due to age, i am contemplating replaceing the oil temp, Pressure, and coolant temp sensors. Low Level sensor is bad ( have not installed the new one yet) and shunted to ground to prevent the CC indicator.
Timing may just be the issue with the pinging,just not sure why it occurs only after oil temp is up.
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Re: coolant levels (LarryK 87)
More on this interesting subject, coolant issues are among my favorites :blueangel:
The fact that you see "vigorous" coolant movement when cold would indicate a missing or stuck open thermo. Now that you have added that fan runs continuously, that could explain low temps.
Oil temp should run about 12 to 29 degrees above coolant temp once warmed up. What oil temp may have to do with pinging is curious. Except that if ecm is getting "cold" signal and engine is warm, timing may be thrown off.
Coolant issues are among my favorites, timing/ecm issues are over my head.
Perhaps others will chime in or you might want to start a new thread asking for info about engine pinging
Are you going to be in Daytona in January? Hope to see you there
Jack
The fact that you see "vigorous" coolant movement when cold would indicate a missing or stuck open thermo. Now that you have added that fan runs continuously, that could explain low temps.
Oil temp should run about 12 to 29 degrees above coolant temp once warmed up. What oil temp may have to do with pinging is curious. Except that if ecm is getting "cold" signal and engine is warm, timing may be thrown off.
Coolant issues are among my favorites, timing/ecm issues are over my head.
Perhaps others will chime in or you might want to start a new thread asking for info about engine pinging
Are you going to be in Daytona in January? Hope to see you there
Jack
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From: Port Charlotte Fl
Re: coolant levels (jackdaroofer)
Well i have already gotten the prices for the temp sensors, and was contemplating replacing just the Indicator sensors, but you make a valid point that the ECM may be reading things wrong as well. One of my many "Delayed" projects is the ECM cable and software to see what is actually being sensed. Have all the parts to finish the cable, and the Craig Moates software for the laptop to monitor the ECM.
The daytona run does not look like it will be do'able this time as time is short, and i have been putting off many P.M. repairs on tthe car due to moving into the new house ( close on it this Fri. finally) the good side to all the delays, is alot of the parts i ordered are here and just waiting to be installed. nothing like a brand new garage to work in. . can't wait to get the tools out of storage and get started. Of course the garage will need some upgraded lighting, Cabnets, and the obligatory CORVETTE ONLY parking signage :)
Trying to convince the wife we need a lift in there as well, afterall there is maint. needed on the Intrep. and her Neon. ;)
The daytona run does not look like it will be do'able this time as time is short, and i have been putting off many P.M. repairs on tthe car due to moving into the new house ( close on it this Fri. finally) the good side to all the delays, is alot of the parts i ordered are here and just waiting to be installed. nothing like a brand new garage to work in. . can't wait to get the tools out of storage and get started. Of course the garage will need some upgraded lighting, Cabnets, and the obligatory CORVETTE ONLY parking signage :)
Trying to convince the wife we need a lift in there as well, afterall there is maint. needed on the Intrep. and her Neon. ;)
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From: Chicago IL
Re: coolant levels (LarryK 87)
if the thermostat is in there, you need to "burp" the cooling system by starting the car with rad. cap off and let it warm up til the thermostat opens up. Then hold the rpms ~1500 or so and watch the coolant level drop. Then fill and repeat as necessary.
Becareful on the repeat section as you wanna the car cool all the way down and let the pressure in the rad. drop too.
Becareful on the repeat section as you wanna the car cool all the way down and let the pressure in the rad. drop too.
