adding coolant
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
OK - Despite the LT1 C4's reputation for being a problematic system to get the air out of - don't worry - it's reputation is overblown. First - remember that the factory lists the capacity as 17.8 qts - but that includes the heater core, and even with the block drains both open - a little coolant is still left in the block - same with the radiator. The factory manual says "A large amount of coolant is still left in the system after the radiator petcock has been opened and the coolant has been allowed to drain out. (If you ever pull the motor - you'll find out a bit more about how much is left in the block as you tilt the engine on the way up.)
OK - you have added roughly 14 quarts in the system - so it's hardly "empty". Sometimes giving the radiator hoses a few squeezes will help dislodge any air bubbles. Start the car without the radiator cap, and keep an eye on the coolant tank - it's quite likely that as the water pump runs - the level in the tank will drop. Add some coolant as it drops (if it does).. There are little brass bleed valves - one on top of the thermostat housing - one behind the housing - you may want to crack the one on the thermostat housing open to let any trapped air out - until a dribble of coolant flows out - but I've never found that I have to do that. Let the car idle for half a minute or so - or until you see the coolant level rising - then put the radiator cap back on, and let the car idle for another half minute or so - till the system builds a little pressure. Shut her down and let it cool for a little while - then recheck the level in the tank and take her for a ride.
OK - you have added roughly 14 quarts in the system - so it's hardly "empty". Sometimes giving the radiator hoses a few squeezes will help dislodge any air bubbles. Start the car without the radiator cap, and keep an eye on the coolant tank - it's quite likely that as the water pump runs - the level in the tank will drop. Add some coolant as it drops (if it does).. There are little brass bleed valves - one on top of the thermostat housing - one behind the housing - you may want to crack the one on the thermostat housing open to let any trapped air out - until a dribble of coolant flows out - but I've never found that I have to do that. Let the car idle for half a minute or so - or until you see the coolant level rising - then put the radiator cap back on, and let the car idle for another half minute or so - till the system builds a little pressure. Shut her down and let it cool for a little while - then recheck the level in the tank and take her for a ride.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
OK - Despite the LT1 C4's reputation for being a problematic system to get the air out of - don't worry - it's reputation is overblown. First - remember that the factory lists the capacity as 17.8 qts - but that includes the heater core, and even with the block drains both open - a little coolant is still left in the block - same with the radiator. The factory manual says "A large amount of coolant is still left in the system after the radiator petcock has been opened and the coolant has been allowed to drain out. (If you ever pull the motor - you'll find out a bit more about how much is left in the block as you tilt the engine on the way up.)
OK - you have added roughly 14 quarts in the system - so it's hardly "empty". Sometimes giving the radiator hoses a few squeezes will help dislodge any air bubbles. Start the car without the radiator cap, and keep an eye on the coolant tank - it's quite likely that as the water pump runs - the level in the tank will drop. Add some coolant as it drops (if it does).. There are little brass bleed valves - one on top of the thermostat housing - one behind the housing - you may want to crack the one on the thermostat housing open to let any trapped air out - until a dribble of coolant flows out - but I've never found that I have to do that. Let the car idle for half a minute or so - or until you see the coolant level rising - then put the radiator cap back on, and let the car idle for another half minute or so - till the system builds a little pressure. Shut her down and let it cool for a little while - then recheck the level in the tank and take her for a ride.
OK - you have added roughly 14 quarts in the system - so it's hardly "empty". Sometimes giving the radiator hoses a few squeezes will help dislodge any air bubbles. Start the car without the radiator cap, and keep an eye on the coolant tank - it's quite likely that as the water pump runs - the level in the tank will drop. Add some coolant as it drops (if it does).. There are little brass bleed valves - one on top of the thermostat housing - one behind the housing - you may want to crack the one on the thermostat housing open to let any trapped air out - until a dribble of coolant flows out - but I've never found that I have to do that. Let the car idle for half a minute or so - or until you see the coolant level rising - then put the radiator cap back on, and let the car idle for another half minute or so - till the system builds a little pressure. Shut her down and let it cool for a little while - then recheck the level in the tank and take her for a ride.
