Thread: cooling system issues

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i've had my car on the road for a year now, and haven't had a problem with the exception and replacing a thermostat and having to top off the fluid with a cup of water from time to time. i hadn't seen any leaks, and the temp has been fine. lately, it's still been running about 180, but when i stop, coolant comes pouring out of somewhere. i'm 80% it's the overflow, but it's been dark the two worst times it's done it, and i couldn't get under it to see the source. it just pours out about 12 ounces or so and stops. then, it gets a little hot if i just let it sit and idle. i top off the radiator, and it seems fine again.

i took the cap off the radiator and idled hoping to try to get it all full. as it sat there running, it began to force water up and out of the filler hole. there has to be an air pocter in the engine somewhere because i spilled out much more that it wants to hold. i had to deal with an air pocket right after i first started the engine, but it got really hot quick, and this hasn't been the case.

why is there so much pressure in the system, and why is it spilling out at 180 degrees?

Pull your thermostat and drill one 1/8" hole in the flange - where it's not covered with a gasket.

That will allow air to escape.

Some guys drill two holes, but I've found that to increase warm-up time considerably when it's cold.
16 degrees F in a roadster beng the definition of cold....

That and check the cap,or better yet ,just replace it with one of the new ones that have a temp guage in the cap........

If your just running it at the house with the cap off I use 1 of these.No mess and you can get all the air out or leave it full over night and just let it bleed the air out.I sell them,they are about 25.00

how do i know if the cap is bad? it looks fine to me. there sure was a lot of pressure on it the other day when i took it off.

Originally Posted by bulldogcountry1

how do i know if the cap is bad? it looks fine to me. there sure was a lot of pressure on it the other day when i took it off.

Most parts stores have a radiator cap pressure tester... and a mechanical gauge to see what the actual temperature is....