"burping" the cooling system
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 165
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix Az.
So I tossed a water pump in my 99 FRC. I didn't think to look here for any proper process. I made the assumption that the car would drink up a couple gallons of coolant/distilled water, I'd run it, the level would drop, and I'd add more.
Well, I topped it off, put the cap on (first mistake?) ran it, and watched. The level never went down. The temp got up to 200. The fans didn't come on. Also, the hose coming off of the new 190 thermostat never got hot. All the other hoses did.
So, I came here and poked around. And honestly, after reading a few threads, I don't know where to start over. Suggestions? Hell, maybe I just didn't let it run hot enough.
S.C.
Well, I topped it off, put the cap on (first mistake?) ran it, and watched. The level never went down. The temp got up to 200. The fans didn't come on. Also, the hose coming off of the new 190 thermostat never got hot. All the other hoses did.
So, I came here and poked around. And honestly, after reading a few threads, I don't know where to start over. Suggestions? Hell, maybe I just didn't let it run hot enough.
S.C.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 165
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix Az.
I just went for a test ride. The car ran at around 196-201 during the drive of about five miles, after it was already warm. It never got warmer. But I still wonder about the hose coming off the thermostat. It never seemed to get hot. But.......The fans were on, and they blow air directly at the hose. Now, even though it's warm radiator air, maybe it still has a cooling effect on the hose. Hell, I don't know. Just a guess.
Also, the car had a 165 thermostat in it when I got it. I never had an issue tossing in a 190, thinking that the car is just going to run as warm as they do, when they do. And I've never seen any of these C5s running at 160-anything. So I'd assume all a 165 thermostat will do is keep your running temp a little cooler, for a little longer, eventually getting up to whatever your normal is. And that seems to be in the 190+ range.
All that being said, I now wonder (assuming all things are OK with the car at this point), if the 190 may be the reason I see the warmer temps, and also that it didn't overheat. Or, maybe I just didn't say out long enough to allow the car to overheat. I just don't know.
S.C.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island/NJ NY/NJ
its a pita ... best tool i ever bought bleed out cars in like 5 mins
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 236
Likes: 53
From: New Zealand
its a pita ... best tool i ever bought bleed out cars in like 5 mins
https://www.amazon.com/UView-550000-.../dp/B0002SRH5G
https://www.amazon.com/UView-550000-.../dp/B0002SRH5G
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 165
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix Az.
its a pita ... best tool i ever bought bleed out cars in like 5 mins
https://www.amazon.com/UView-550000-.../dp/B0002SRH5G
https://www.amazon.com/UView-550000-.../dp/B0002SRH5G
S.C.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island/NJ NY/NJ
use the proper adaptor and it seals, connect compressor, open valve it draws about 25-26 lbs of vacuum on the system, u then close the valve
change the adaptor from the air hose one to the fill one which u then put in a jug of coolant , and open valve it starts filling the system , u have to stop when it gets towards the bottom so you dont suck in air, then refill jug keep going when it gets to 0 vacuum in theory the system is 100% good
I still let them run a little outside with the cap off just because i dont want any issues with my customers getting a car back with an air pocket.
but in like 5 mins in theory the system is filled and bled and u can drive away capped.
if it looses vacuum it means there is a leak somewhere in the coolant system.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 165
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix Az.
yup hooks up to compressor u stick the thing in the coolant resivour ( like how a vette doesnt have an open radiator)
use the proper adaptor and it seals, connect compressor, open valve it draws about 25-26 lbs of vacuum on the system, u then close the valve
change the adaptor from the air hose one to the fill one which u then put in a jug of coolant , and open valve it starts filling the system , u have to stop when it gets towards the bottom so you dont suck in air, then refill jug keep going when it gets to 0 vacuum in theory the system is 100% good
I still let them run a little outside with the cap off just because i dont want any issues with my customers getting a car back with an air pocket.
but in like 5 mins in theory the system is filled and bled and u can drive away capped.
if it looses vacuum it means there is a leak somewhere in the coolant system.
use the proper adaptor and it seals, connect compressor, open valve it draws about 25-26 lbs of vacuum on the system, u then close the valve
change the adaptor from the air hose one to the fill one which u then put in a jug of coolant , and open valve it starts filling the system , u have to stop when it gets towards the bottom so you dont suck in air, then refill jug keep going when it gets to 0 vacuum in theory the system is 100% good
I still let them run a little outside with the cap off just because i dont want any issues with my customers getting a car back with an air pocket.
but in like 5 mins in theory the system is filled and bled and u can drive away capped.
if it looses vacuum it means there is a leak somewhere in the coolant system.
S.C.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 165
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix Az.
Update. The car runs now, consistently in the 199-205 range, no matter what. I don't consider that a problem. Before, the car would run in the 180 range on cold mornings in Phoenix, and as the day warmed up, so did the operating temp.
So, it's all good.
S.C.
So, it's all good.
S.C.
