Top Radiator Hose
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
Top Radiator Hose
What a day...
The top radiator hose just blew in my 1996 Coupe with an LT-1.
I am replacing it tomorrow.
What is the best way of putting the coolant back in and if I was a betting man I am betting on the Opti being trashed...
Also when it blew I lost all power steering and I am guessing it is because the belt was soaked?
I guess I am asking is there a particular way to replace the coolant and remove air from the system.
Thanks in advance guys!
The top radiator hose just blew in my 1996 Coupe with an LT-1.
I am replacing it tomorrow.
What is the best way of putting the coolant back in and if I was a betting man I am betting on the Opti being trashed...
Also when it blew I lost all power steering and I am guessing it is because the belt was soaked?
I guess I am asking is there a particular way to replace the coolant and remove air from the system.
Thanks in advance guys!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
There is a bleed screw just after the upper clamp for your lower radiator hose. It is just under the throttle body. There is a procedure in the fsm or do a search here on how/when to open this screw. Sorry but it was awhile ago that I did it so I am not sure. Also, my car is an LT4 so I am not sure if that is different than your 96 LT1. Hope your opti stayed dry
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 395
Likes: 6
From: woodstock ga
i am not an expert on this, but i have never had air get trapped like i have heard of happening. my method is to start with 1 gallon of antifreeze and top off with 1 gallon of water. if it wont take the water i crank it and let it idle until the thermo opens. after getting the first 2 gallons in i keep adding in 1 quart intervals until full while idling. if you know the capacity then you will know when you have filled it.
i will be watching others post so that i can learn as well
i will be watching others post so that i can learn as well
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Just fill through the reservoir with 50/50 mixture of coolant/water.
Simple bleed procedure, as the 96 has only one bleeder screw on the thermostat housing. Place a rag to catch drops to eliminate a little mess. You only have to bleed until the bubbles cease.
If the hose 'blew' due to 'old age', you might/should consider replacing all coolant hoses.
If moisture entered the opti, it is 'toast'. Even if the opti functions for a month or six, corrosion will eventually destroy it. Not a fun DIY job, and an expensive dealer job.
Losing power steering is a mystery. The belt should not have slipped to the point of not functioning. Make sure power steering is restored after you take care of the cooling system.
Simple bleed procedure, as the 96 has only one bleeder screw on the thermostat housing. Place a rag to catch drops to eliminate a little mess. You only have to bleed until the bubbles cease.
If the hose 'blew' due to 'old age', you might/should consider replacing all coolant hoses.
If moisture entered the opti, it is 'toast'. Even if the opti functions for a month or six, corrosion will eventually destroy it. Not a fun DIY job, and an expensive dealer job.
Losing power steering is a mystery. The belt should not have slipped to the point of not functioning. Make sure power steering is restored after you take care of the cooling system.
Last edited by don hall; Jan 21, 2012 at 10:33 PM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
Thanks guys!
I am heading over to it now.
As long as it starts and I can get it home it will be a good day
It has oil leaks in the usual places so I was planning on replacing the water pump and Opti any way but I guess it may be sooner now
I am heading over to it now.
As long as it starts and I can get it home it will be a good day
It has oil leaks in the usual places so I was planning on replacing the water pump and Opti any way but I guess it may be sooner now
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Bleed it with engine running cold and then again after it has reached op temp and the t/stat has opened. You have a GenII opti, so it is probably fine. Filling with just water in January is a bit risky, but that is just my opinion.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 196
From: folsom california
I've tried to bleed the system on my 96....the only caveat I can add is to bleed the system, let everything cool, add coolant...and repeat; it usually takes me about four or five cycles to completely purge all the air.
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Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: University of Miami FL
I had twice blown coolant hoses and soaked my opti twice with coolant then with water trying to clean it.. and it worked even with water inside !!!! after i replaced cap and rotor sprayed WD-40 to displace water and cleaned off WD-40 with electric contact cleaner from Home Depot and it is fine. I even sprayed WD-40 in vent tube while idling ( actually it helped a lot to bring back normal idle). But don't spray electric contact cleaner in vent tube while idling - it is combustive - TRUST ME! Even after that - everything works fine. But now two years later I have to replace whole OPTI and i think it's because of those accidents with coolant and water and WD-40 and everything else. And I dried my opti with pressurized air - i believe it's most harmless way, but if coolant got inside opti you need to clean it off.
Replace your coolant hoses and check for leaks over coolant pump replace seals there (this is what i had and seals behind opti) and then replace Opti. You don't want coolant in your new opti. Good luck!
Even after that - everything works fine. But now two years later I have to replace whole OPTI and i think it's because of those accidents with coolant and water and WD-40 and everything else. And I dried my opti with pressurized air - i believe it's most harmless way, but if coolant got inside opti you need to clean it off.Replace your coolant hoses and check for leaks over coolant pump replace seals there (this is what i had and seals behind opti) and then replace Opti. You don't want coolant in your new opti. Good luck!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
Well she is finally home, on the back of a flatbed tow truck.
I tried to get the system to cool the engine and failed.
I added coolant and tried bleeding the system but it didn't work.
I am thinking the thermostat may be bad now because the lower radiator hose never felt firm and at one point collapsed up near the thermostat.
The black coolant tank sounded like the coolant was boiling as well.
I thought at first it was fine and started driving it.
It went up to about 250 degrees or so before I could pull it over.
It was only at that temp for a few seconds before I could shut it off.
The motor is not knocking and there is no water in the oil so hopefully the motor will be OK.
Not a great day...
I tried to get the system to cool the engine and failed.
I added coolant and tried bleeding the system but it didn't work.
I am thinking the thermostat may be bad now because the lower radiator hose never felt firm and at one point collapsed up near the thermostat.
The black coolant tank sounded like the coolant was boiling as well.
I thought at first it was fine and started driving it.
It went up to about 250 degrees or so before I could pull it over.
It was only at that temp for a few seconds before I could shut it off.
The motor is not knocking and there is no water in the oil so hopefully the motor will be OK.
Not a great day...
Last edited by Jmcdonaldva1; Jan 22, 2012 at 03:47 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
It should be fine. Take the surge tank cap off, wrap a good rag around the bleeder and open it, squeeze and release the large radiator hoses, especially the bottom hose to 'pump' some coolant thru and then try starting and burping it again.
