MAJOR COOLANT PROBLEMS
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,786
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
MAJOR COOLANT PROBLEMS
Ok, so I did everything according to the Haynes manual. At the end, when I was to turn the car on and let it idle, I did - until coolant temp got to 230 F. At this point I turned the car off. As I did this, I heard a bubbling noise, and then coolant just kind of poured out of the bottom of the car. :confused:
I have no idea what happened...now I have a puddle of coolant on the ground in my garage, and no idea what to do...
I have no idea what happened...now I have a puddle of coolant on the ground in my garage, and no idea what to do...
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: MAJOR COOLANT PROBLEMS (marthpodi)
Clean the mess up. Try to find out where the coolant came from. Coolant should not come out anywhere at 230F nor after the engine is turned off. You have a hose that leaked or the overflow bottle overflowed. Start looking.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,786
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
Re: MAJOR COOLANT PROBLEMS (jfb)
got it: Overflow bottle overflowed...gah. Ok, got it. I must have put a little too much coolant in. Anyway, now that the level is at normal (I hope) What do I do about the coolant temp getting so high...?
Advanced
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Norman OK
Re: MAJOR COOLANT PROBLEMS (marthpodi)
Hey, check your fuse - Ours continued to do the same thing (also our fan wasn't coming on to cool the car down and the temp kept rising) come to find out our fan fuse was blown. :confused:
Just an idea. :seeya
Just an idea. :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,165
Likes: 1
From: Knoxville,TN TN
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: MAJOR COOLANT PROBLEMS (marthpodi)
Mine would overheat (240) and my problem was a #1 bad rad cap and #2 the radiator cap was the wrong lbs pressure. I got a new correct pres cap and everything is good.. I hope this helps. :flag
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,067
Likes: 1,723
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: MAJOR COOLANT PROBLEMS (Whitevette91)
If you let it idle its gonna get to 230 no matter what. Did you clean off the front of the radiator? what about a new thermostat?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,786
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
Re: MAJOR COOLANT PROBLEMS (cohocarl)
Drained the coolant, drained the reservoir, flushed the radiator with hose water, refilled the radiator with 50/50 water/antifreeze and restarted the engine.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,067
Likes: 1,723
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: MAJOR COOLANT PROBLEMS (marthpodi)
what do you mean get the air out of the system?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,786
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
Re: MAJOR COOLANT PROBLEMS (marthpodi)
Also, I used tap water, not distilled/deionized - how much of a difference will this make? Do I need to do it again, this time with distilled water??
:cry
:cry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Re: MAJOR COOLANT PROBLEMS (marthpodi)
Also, I used tap water, not distilled/deionized - how much of a difference will this make? Do I need to do it again, this time with distilled water??
:cry
:cry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles, MO Route 66 Corvette Club
Re: MAJOR COOLANT PROBLEMS (Red 86 4+3)
In reference to the "air purging problem" when flushing and refilling, I learned a trick some time ago. Take out the thermostat and drill a 1/16 (.0625) inch hole in the thermostat. The location of the hole is critical!!! The hole should NOT be put in the part of the thermostat that moves. Instead, it shoud be placed in the area between the center hole and the thermostat outer diameter. When you refill the system, this "little hole" will allow the air to escape and refilling is very easy. The little hole does not change the engine warm up time. If anyone needs a picture of this, please email me. Regards, Sam
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
Re: MAJOR COOLANT PROBLEMS (Sam Lam)
It sounds like a thermo. and / or air in the system. Be sure to bleed the system by use of the 2 bleeder screws until the coolant runs without bubbles. Replacing the thermo. and cap is a good idea too. :yesnod:
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: In
Re: MAJOR COOLANT PROBLEMS (marthpodi)
your 89 does not have bleeder screws. the tip on drilling a hole in the t-stat is a good one and also you can, as you are refilling the system pour coolant directly into the intake before attaching the upper hose and this will help purge air out of the system. do this, wait a couple of minutes and repeat until the block won't take any more, then attach you hose and fill the rest of the system
good luck
david
good luck
david
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Re: MAJOR COOLANT PROBLEMS (marthpodi)
If you have the car back together, then let it cool down completly, take the cap off, and start it up. Let it idle, and add a little coolant until you see it is about 2-3 inches below the top of the radiator. Now wait until it heats up, about 190-200 degrees, and the upper hose should be getting hot, indicitating flow, and then continue filling the system until full. Replace your cap. It should be ok at this point, however, I would check coolant level the next morning to confirm it is full. The purpose of doing this is the t-stat, when closed will lock a pocket of air in the engine, and once it heats up, and the t-stat opens, it will purge the air out, and of course you will need additional coolant in the system. Good luck