Low Coolant?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 15
From: Martinsburg WV
Low Coolant?
I just replaced a leaking heater core hose on my '88 and I added some more coolant in the resevior(sp?) but when I started the car up the Low Coolant light came on. It when off but then came back on and its staying on. Ive never had the light come on before and theres enough coolant in the radiator also. Also the car is running really hot-just drove it around base for a few minutes and the coolant temp was a lil over 200 degrees and the oil temps were at about 200 and rising. Im going to get the radiator flushed out asap btw.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
250-260 - too high
Your fans should be coming on about 225 +/- a couple.
Check you may need to clean up in front of the radiator, fill and burp the system. Search function will get you the info. Also check C4 tips there a tech tip there on cleaning in front of the rad and burping the system.
Your fans should be coming on about 225 +/- a couple.
Check you may need to clean up in front of the radiator, fill and burp the system. Search function will get you the info. Also check C4 tips there a tech tip there on cleaning in front of the rad and burping the system.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Oh, now that's a different story. 250-260 is TOO HOT!!
You may be experiencing the same problem I had a couple of weeks ago. My thermostat stuck closed position causing over-heating.
So that's something to check too. Remove your stat and place it in a pot of boiling water and see if it opens. If it doesn't open buy the Fail-Safe type that, should it fail, will fail in the OPEN position.
Jake
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Orangeburg, NY
with Vinnies 87.It sounds like the system has to be burped, which is fairly easy to do. Open the radiator cap, turn the heater to full hot and start the car. The coolant leve shoud be full. After several minutes, the thermostat should open, and you will see the coolant in the radiator move. Rev the engine to approx 1600-2000 rpm and the coolant level may drop. While the engine is at approx. 2000 rpm add coolant to full, put the radiator cap back on, then bring the engine back to idle. This should take care of burping the system, which basically removing the air.
This should take care of the temp and low coolant issues. Normal operating temps on these cars are higher than average. The fan goes on at 226-228, and the aux (if you have one) goes on at approx 235. Also make sure your air intake for the radiator is clean and not blocked wit leaves, dirt, coffee cups, plastic bags, etc. you would be suprised at what you would find up there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Best to remove the cap before starting a cold engine. That way you won't get sprayed with hot coolant.
Jake
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 15
From: Martinsburg WV
Just burped the system. The light went off, though the car is still running hot. After only a few minutes around base it was about 240 degrees(oil temp) and about 224 degrees(cooant temp)
i guess next I'll have to check to see if there crap blocking the way.
i guess next I'll have to check to see if there crap blocking the way.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
Radiator clean out
I'll toss this one out there with the admonition it is NOT intended to replace the full rip cleaning many of these cars require. I think of it as a maintenance procedure that will minimize the necessity of removing the shroud to do the real thing.
Buy or scrounge a 3 ft. length of 3/4" PVC pipe and a 90 degree elbow to fit.
slip the elbow on, it will be snug no need to even glue it, then saw off one leg so the resulting combination is almost the same size as the pipe.
The resulting piece will look like this.
You now have a vacuum wand that will easily fit through the elongated opening on the right side of the shroud usually used to inspect for crap, it will reach almost the entire radiator core.
Take the backyard technicians best friend (duct tape) and tape it into the hose of a shop vac, the stronger the better.
Insert through the opening previously mentioned and go to town, a Maglight flashlight will be a big help.
You will be surprised how well it works!
Buy or scrounge a 3 ft. length of 3/4" PVC pipe and a 90 degree elbow to fit.
slip the elbow on, it will be snug no need to even glue it, then saw off one leg so the resulting combination is almost the same size as the pipe.
The resulting piece will look like this.
You now have a vacuum wand that will easily fit through the elongated opening on the right side of the shroud usually used to inspect for crap, it will reach almost the entire radiator core.
Take the backyard technicians best friend (duct tape) and tape it into the hose of a shop vac, the stronger the better.
Insert through the opening previously mentioned and go to town, a Maglight flashlight will be a big help.
You will be surprised how well it works!
Last edited by toptechx6; Nov 4, 2007 at 05:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 15
From: Martinsburg WV
Just went thru all the trouble to get the shroud off expecting all sorts of trash to be in between and all I could see was 1 leaf. Damn, I knew it couldnt be that simple-Im beginning to think my car hates me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
So, what are you saying? The coolant temps are still climbing to the 250/260 range?
If so, have you checked the thermostat yet?
When you have the radiator cap removed, can you actually see the coolant flowing through the radiator tubes?
It's gotta flow through the radiator or your engine won't cool.
Jake
If so, have you checked the thermostat yet?
When you have the radiator cap removed, can you actually see the coolant flowing through the radiator tubes?
It's gotta flow through the radiator or your engine won't cool.
Jake
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,500
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From: Mauldin sc
St. Jude Donor '05
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 15
From: Martinsburg WV
Oil and coolant temps are still climbing pretty hot. Its the oil temps that are around 240-260 as the coolant is around 220+.
How do I check the thermostat?
And yes I can see the coolant going thru the radiator.
How do I check the thermostat?
And yes I can see the coolant going thru the radiator.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 15
From: Martinsburg WV
Alright just added some more coolant in and burped the system again. The low coolant light came on a few times but stayed off most of the time.
On the highway at about 50mph the oil temps didnt go over 240*(pretty much stayed about 238-240) and the cooland seemed to be cooling down more as it wasnt over 230. But riding around town the oil temps were around 240-260*. When I shut the car off am I supposed to let it idle for a few minutes to let it cool down or does it matter if I just turn the engine off right away?
On the highway at about 50mph the oil temps didnt go over 240*(pretty much stayed about 238-240) and the cooland seemed to be cooling down more as it wasnt over 230. But riding around town the oil temps were around 240-260*. When I shut the car off am I supposed to let it idle for a few minutes to let it cool down or does it matter if I just turn the engine off right away?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,032
Likes: 204
From: Greenwood Indiana
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I don't see mention of this, but I assume you put a new oil filter on, too. Right?
Your water temp sounds ok. I don't know about L-98s, but on LT-1s there are air-bleeds on the upper water lines.
I would still put a new thermostat in if you have any doubts about it.
Have you checked the oil-cooler to see if a line is kinked or maybe something looks damaged?
Your water temp sounds ok. I don't know about L-98s, but on LT-1s there are air-bleeds on the upper water lines.
I would still put a new thermostat in if you have any doubts about it.
Have you checked the oil-cooler to see if a line is kinked or maybe something looks damaged?
Last edited by johnnymo63; Nov 6, 2007 at 05:18 PM.
