Crom Cruach Posted May 19, 2022 Share Posted May 19, 2022 Coolant leak after a spirited drive! I just changed the coolant this morning but I only opened the drain at the bottom of the radiator, not the engine ones, so it's not perfectly clean. when I refilled I was expecting to add 4 gallons, but it only took around 2 gallons, obviously the system wasn't drained fully. I had concentrate so I added the distilled water first, so my mix is off, could this explain it? probably too much water in there. or is it possible I just overfilled it and its escaping faster than the overflow tube can handle? I associate an overheating car with a blown head gasket. the car was warm after doing timing, and I only drove around 10 miles but I was gunning it in L1 from the lights and all that! https://youtube.com/shorts/CzV9xVQfLqk?feature=share https://youtube.com/shorts/MRueDrZQr9Y?feature=share Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1of80 Posted May 19, 2022 Share Posted May 19, 2022 Did you "burp" the system? Could just be air bound. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted May 19, 2022 Share Posted May 19, 2022 You have disturbed the beast and made him mad. The video stops before you can see the engine side of the radiator. Could be a hose clamp and it spraying or popped a hole in the radiator. Couldn’t really tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cny first gen 71 Posted May 19, 2022 Share Posted May 19, 2022 Could be just over full but I think I would do a complete flush and get the proper mix of coolant in there. Of course I'd probably pressure test the system first and if you haven't yet change the thermostat. But that's just me. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant MacPherson Posted May 19, 2022 Share Posted May 19, 2022 never burped a big block, too hard to hold and pat! 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragCat Posted May 20, 2022 Share Posted May 20, 2022 14 hours ago, Dtret said: You have disturbed the beast and made him mad. The video stops before you can see the engine side of the radiator. Could be a hose clamp and it spraying or popped a hole in the radiator. Couldn’t really tell. Yea, the video isnt the best lol, doesn't look live anything out of the overflow tube. Could be the lower radiator hose/clamp, looks like the rad support could be filled with water too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott S. Posted May 20, 2022 Share Posted May 20, 2022 A weak cap, sticky thermostat, trapped air, plugged heater.... all these things could be the cause. Like Steve says, flush the whole system to make sure... Most parts stores will sell you a kit with a "T" that you add to the hearer hose. Then just hook up the garden hose and let it run a while. Might want to change the thermostat as well. ( I went through three of them before getting one that worked ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crom Cruach Posted May 20, 2022 Author Share Posted May 20, 2022 Yeah sorry the video is rubbish because I not ashamed to admit I was afraid of getting a face full of boiling coolant! I think I’ll do it again properly this time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott S. Posted May 20, 2022 Share Posted May 20, 2022 Prestone makes a kit with a nozzle that will direct the discharge out of the radiator fill spout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crom Cruach Posted May 20, 2022 Author Share Posted May 20, 2022 I actually think it was coming out of the aftermarket cap, if you look closely at the 2nd crap video! Are the parts place original spec worth $40? Seems expensive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott S. Posted May 20, 2022 Share Posted May 20, 2022 I see that, (took a second look.) I went with an aftermarket cap without the relief valve and a 20 lb. release pressure made by Moroso. I'd read that the relief valve caps can have problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott S. Posted May 20, 2022 Share Posted May 20, 2022 $26 Canadian at Summit Racing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott S. Posted May 20, 2022 Share Posted May 20, 2022 Aren't old cars fun ??? LOL.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crom Cruach Posted May 20, 2022 Author Share Posted May 20, 2022 Nice, have to rethink this. I thought a few gallons of goop and I’m done, but no, snowball has something to say! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott S. Posted May 20, 2022 Share Posted May 20, 2022 Nope..... You'll get to know every nut, bolt, wire and problem like the back of your hand. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott S. Posted May 20, 2022 Share Posted May 20, 2022 And spend your kid's inheritance in the process........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1of80 Posted May 20, 2022 Share Posted May 20, 2022 Did you "burp" the cooling system? Even with a quality cap, if you didn't burp the cooling system, to will overpower the pressure relief valve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crom Cruach Posted May 20, 2022 Author Share Posted May 20, 2022 1 hour ago, MC1of80 said: Did you "burp" the cooling system? Even with a quality cap, if you didn't burp the cooling system, to will overpower the pressure relief valve. I did not, sorry to ask another newbie question, but how do you burp the big boy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1of80 Posted May 20, 2022 Share Posted May 20, 2022 With the radiator cap off, fill the radiator. Start the car, with the heat on and get it to operating temp. At which time the thermostat should open, coolant will go down. Fill coolant to top, put cap back on and you should be good to go. The thermostat must open at designated temp. ie 160, 180 degrees. Some coolant may overflow briefly when the thermostat opens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crom Cruach Posted May 20, 2022 Author Share Posted May 20, 2022 Thanks. Just ordered a spill free funnel to help get the air out. I’d say I put the cap back on before the thermostat kicked in - that’s why I didn’t get the system properly clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1of80 Posted May 20, 2022 Share Posted May 20, 2022 Agreed. You don't need any special or fancy funnel. The key is the thermostat opening before topping the coolant off and putting the radiator cap on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted May 20, 2022 Share Posted May 20, 2022 Also make sure the radiator cap is the highest point of the cooling system. Another words park uphill not downhill. Air will draw to the highest point. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John S Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 I took the advice of one of our members here, Sam “Bones”, and he stated it helps to drill a 3/16 inch hole in the flange of the thermostat I have done that and have never had any issues with air lock. John S 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1of80 Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 3 minutes ago, John S said: I took the advice of one of our members here, Sam “Bones”, and he stated it helps to drill a 3/16 inch hole in the flange of the thermostat I have done that and have never had any issues with air lock. John S Great trick! I do it to all thermostats that I change. I did not mention it here due to Paul not changing his at this time. Definitely helps the "air bound" and necessity to burp the system even though I still do to make sure. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crom Cruach Posted May 21, 2022 Author Share Posted May 21, 2022 Ok Haynes says 195° thermostat. What brand thermostat are you guys using, and what sealant? do you use a chemical flush? The old coolant is pretty black. dumb bonus question - should the fan be on heater / hi / hot like in this photo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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