Little bubbles???
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Little bubbles???
Gday people. I had the coolant filler cap off the surge tank on my 94 today and noticed that it blows little bubbles out of the tube that comes from the top right side of the radiator. They are very small, not constant, but resonably consistant, ive never taken any notice before to see it do this, the only other times ive looked is when ive flushed and filled the coolant, in which case ive never thought anything of it.
Is this a normal sort of thing??? (as i say, ive never taken any notice to any of them before!!)
Thanks in advance
Is this a normal sort of thing??? (as i say, ive never taken any notice to any of them before!!)
Thanks in advance
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
My take is that it doesn't sound like a good thing, I'll run my 93 later today to see if it does anything similar. Are you are talking about the translucent overflow tank near the right front, or the surge/fill reservoir mounted up high near the cowl?
You could try one of the combustion gas analyzers that attach to the coolant fill cap, the fluid changes color if there is combustion gas present. If it is, the likely culprit would of course be a head gasket. Good luck Casey.
You could try one of the combustion gas analyzers that attach to the coolant fill cap, the fluid changes color if there is combustion gas present. If it is, the likely culprit would of course be a head gasket. Good luck Casey.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
Originally Posted by Casethecorvetteman
Thanks mate yeah, the surge tank up at the firewall. Let me know what yours does
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by tomtom72
Isn't there a dye that can be added to the coolant to detect combustion by-products that are disolved in the coolant from a head gasket failure??
Originally Posted by rick lambert
Is that all the symptoms? not overheating, coolant in oil, loss of coolant? not so sure you're not just seeing the normal effects of circulation.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
Not necessarily. A small leak could allow the bubbling with no loss of coolant. The cylinder pressure is higher than the cooling system pressure. If it tests positive for CO in the coolant, a head gasket is the most likely cause. There is always the remote possibility of a cracked head or block. In any case, if it is a gasket, checking for a warped head and block should be part of the procedure.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
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From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
Not necessarily. A small leak could allow the bubbling with no loss of coolant. The cylinder pressure is higher than the cooling system pressure. If it tests positive for CO in the coolant, a head gasket is the most likely cause. There is always the remote possibility of a cracked head or block. In any case, if it is a gasket, checking for a warped head and block should be part of the procedure.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
There is a test kit available at the parts stores. I have never done it, personally, but there is a chemical you add to the coolant or a litmus paper type of device that indicates the presents of exhaust gases in your coolant.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
I wouldn't expect the CO detector to be hard to find. It IS a general automotive diagnostic tool, not a Corvette or American car specialty item.
Casethecorvetteman doesn't say, specifically, but it appears the bubbles are being seen at idle. I wouldn't expect cavitation at idle speeds. Tiny Bubbles? Where is Don Ho when you need him?
RACE ON!!!
Casethecorvetteman doesn't say, specifically, but it appears the bubbles are being seen at idle. I wouldn't expect cavitation at idle speeds. Tiny Bubbles? Where is Don Ho when you need him?
RACE ON!!!
Team Owner
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
I wouldn't expect the CO detector to be hard to find. It IS a general automotive diagnostic tool, not a Corvette or American car specialty item.
Casethecorvetteman doesn't say, specifically, but it appears the bubbles are being seen at idle. I wouldn't expect cavitation at idle speeds. Tiny Bubbles? Where is Don Ho when you need him?
RACE ON!!!
Casethecorvetteman doesn't say, specifically, but it appears the bubbles are being seen at idle. I wouldn't expect cavitation at idle speeds. Tiny Bubbles? Where is Don Ho when you need him?
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
I wouldn't expect the CO detector to be hard to find. It IS a general automotive diagnostic tool, not a Corvette or American car specialty item.
Casethecorvetteman doesn't say, specifically, but it appears the bubbles are being seen at idle. I wouldn't expect cavitation at idle speeds. Tiny Bubbles? Where is Don Ho when you need him?
RACE ON!!!
Casethecorvetteman doesn't say, specifically, but it appears the bubbles are being seen at idle. I wouldn't expect cavitation at idle speeds. Tiny Bubbles? Where is Don Ho when you need him?
RACE ON!!!
Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
Oh ,sorry, completely off the Corvette topic. Sorry Casey.
Enjoy yourself
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by aminnich
Ok, itsy-bitsy and Don Ho aside I still don't think you have a problem. You said the small hose from top of radiator, correct? What was your coolant temperature when you saw this?