colling probs fixed
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,632
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colling probs fixed
first off thanks to all of you who tried to help me with my phantom cooling problem . it turns out that it was the water pump . it was an ok fix except that i had to remove about half of the front of the engine to get at it . i still have a flickering low coolant light though . anu suggestions ?
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
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From: St Marys PA
Re: colling probs fixed (markmaz)
Glad to hear you got it straightened out. You probably need to "cram" the system. 1. Start you car and open the radiator cap (make sure your engine is cold or you will get scalded). 2. With the cap off allow the car to reach operating temp. When you look in the radiator you can tell when the thermostat opens because you will see the coolant flowing. 3. Add coolant if it is low till it reached the top of the radiator hole. 4. Rev the engine up by hand or have a pretty girl help, keep the rpms at ~2400. You will see the coolant level lower. 5. While the engine is still revving add coolant to the before mentioned level and replace the cap before going back to idle. You will have effectively just "crammed" the coolant system. This whole process may need to be repeated a couple of times till all the air escapes the system. Some drill an 1/8" hole in the thermostat to help with the air evacuation, but I have always used the above method with success. Let us know how it works out for ya.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
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From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: colling probs fixed (markmaz)
Having heater on is good idea, makes sure coolant is going through heater core.
Not sure if heater core coolant every stops flowing even with heater off, but certainly can't hurt anything.
Make sure radiator cap is in very good condition and is sealing. Make sure overflow tube is in good condition and tightly attached to tank and radiator. Make sure overflow tank does not leak or have cracks. Make sure plenty of coolant in overflow tank.
If level in radiator keeps dropping AND overflow tank is also dropping, keep topped up but check for leaks. If radiator level keeps dropping and coolant overflow tank DOES NOT drop, then check above cap, hoses, cracks in tank. Coolant level should stabilize in 100 miles or less with enough warm-up / cooldown cycles.
I would start by packing the system again, make sure you wait for that thermostat to open fully (of course you must start with the radiator cap off on a cold engine) and load the system up with a 50/50 or so mix.
Not sure if heater core coolant every stops flowing even with heater off, but certainly can't hurt anything.
Make sure radiator cap is in very good condition and is sealing. Make sure overflow tube is in good condition and tightly attached to tank and radiator. Make sure overflow tank does not leak or have cracks. Make sure plenty of coolant in overflow tank.
If level in radiator keeps dropping AND overflow tank is also dropping, keep topped up but check for leaks. If radiator level keeps dropping and coolant overflow tank DOES NOT drop, then check above cap, hoses, cracks in tank. Coolant level should stabilize in 100 miles or less with enough warm-up / cooldown cycles.
I would start by packing the system again, make sure you wait for that thermostat to open fully (of course you must start with the radiator cap off on a cold engine) and load the system up with a 50/50 or so mix.
