Radiator hose blew off
Tech Contributor
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From: Dyer, IN
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I just overfilled it yesterday when on the side of the road. I’ll drain some when doing the thermostat. It wasn’t overfilled when the issue happened.
Tech Contributor
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From: Dyer, IN
Just confirming understanding here. You have too much coolant in the system. You decided to run the engine to bleed the air. You have not done a pressure test.....and you are changing the thermostat even though you have not made a diagnosis.
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will be doing pressure test but thermostat seems easy enough to change just in case.
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They are easy to change. But remove your Serpentine belts, or shield them well before the change. Getting antifreeze on them can make them start squealing forever after. Is the Tstat original? What year C5? I can't remember what MY GM changed the Tstat design, maybe 2001? My 2000 had the Tstat and housing as a single unit, which is much more expensive. Later C5s had the traditional Tstat, which is much cheaper. If you change it, I'd recommend a Motorad brand. It was OEM in my 2000. But I agree with Lucky I'd pressure test the system first before changing the Tstat. Best of luck....
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They are easy to change. But remove your Serpentine belts, or shield them well before the change. Getting antifreeze on them can make them start squealing forever after. Is the Tstat original? What year C5? I can't remember what MY GM changed the Tstat design, maybe 2001? My 2000 had the Tstat and housing as a single unit, which is much more expensive. Later C5s had the traditional Tstat, which is much cheaper. If you change it, I'd recommend a Motorad brand. It was OEM in my 2000. But I agree with Lucky I'd pressure test the system first before changing the Tstat. Best of luck....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2024
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They are easy to change. But remove your Serpentine belts, or shield them well before the change. Getting antifreeze on them can make them start squealing forever after. Is the Tstat original? What year C5? I can't remember what MY GM changed the Tstat design, maybe 2001? My 2000 had the Tstat and housing as a single unit, which is much more expensive. Later C5s had the traditional Tstat, which is much cheaper. If you change it, I'd recommend a Motorad brand. It was OEM in my 2000. But I agree with Lucky I'd pressure test the system first before changing the Tstat. Best of luck....
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Ok - just finished the pressure test. Pumped up to 15 psi and let it sit for 15 mins. Looks like the pressure dropped very slightly - looks to be right around 14.5. What would you look at next given these reading?
You are testing for weakness, not just for leaks.
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Did the pressure test again and remained steady at 15psi. Think I just didn’t carefully look the first time.
When the hose blew off initially, I was goosing it a bit over a period of maybe 10 mins. Wondering if that helps identify the issue. Next step on my list is installing new main radiator hoses and thermostat. Should I also try a new coolant cap?
When the hose blew off initially, I was goosing it a bit over a period of maybe 10 mins. Wondering if that helps identify the issue. Next step on my list is installing new main radiator hoses and thermostat. Should I also try a new coolant cap?
Safety Car
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From: Orlando Florida
I may be the only one, but I have had a brand new thermostat not work. Naturally, I did not find that out before I installed it. From that day forward I always boil my new thermostats before installing, and since I'm going to be boiling thermostats anyway, it just makes sense to boil the old one first.
Melting Slicks
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From: Temple Texas
Did the pressure test again and remained steady at 15psi. Think I just didn’t carefully look the first time.
When the hose blew off initially, I was goosing it a bit over a period of maybe 10 mins. Wondering if that helps identify the issue. Next step on my list is installing new main radiator hoses and thermostat. Should I also try a new coolant cap?
When the hose blew off initially, I was goosing it a bit over a period of maybe 10 mins. Wondering if that helps identify the issue. Next step on my list is installing new main radiator hoses and thermostat. Should I also try a new coolant cap?
On the other hand they are cheap and a new one would eliminate the cap as the source of your issue.
I wouldn't replace it if it were mine, I don't think your symptoms are pointing towards a cap problem.
Melting Slicks
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From: Temple Texas
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hah that’s fair. So far all I have done is the pressure test after refitting the radiator hose and refilling reservoir tank to the correct level.
Melting Slicks
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From: Temple Texas
You might leave the coolant cap off initially and watch for a steady stream of bubbles but I think your pressure test indicates you're fine so it's really not needed.
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I'd start it and let it idle up to temp and see how it goes. Make sure no leaks, fans are coming on, temp idling should not go over maybe 230 max.
You might leave the coolant cap off initially and watch for a steady stream of bubbles but I think your pressure test indicates you're fine so it's really not needed.
You might leave the coolant cap off initially and watch for a steady stream of bubbles but I think your pressure test indicates you're fine so it's really not needed.
Any other way to trouble shoot water pump or radiator? Its odd because the car was fine a few weeks back on a 10 hr road trip from FL to NC and then this issue came up when I was giving it more gas for a period of time. For the road trip, I just parked it in the right lane and cruised at 70.
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ok - thanks. I'll do that.
Any other way to trouble shoot water pump or radiator? Its odd because the car was fine a few weeks back on a 10 hr road trip from FL to NC and then this issue came up when I was giving it more gas for a period of time. For the road trip, I just parked it in the right lane and cruised at 70.
Any other way to trouble shoot water pump or radiator? Its odd because the car was fine a few weeks back on a 10 hr road trip from FL to NC and then this issue came up when I was giving it more gas for a period of time. For the road trip, I just parked it in the right lane and cruised at 70.
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From: Dyer, IN
