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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 15, 2009, 6:39 PM
Post #26 of 32
(1387 views)
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Re: Re:95 Monte Carlo 3.1 - Antifreeze
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Quote:
The thing is that when I leave the cap off, I am assuming you are talking about the radiator cap when you refer to the pressure cap. Am I right? I have taken the radiator cap off and started it, after a few minutes the coolant starts pouring out of there.
**************** Yes - I call it a "pressure cap" because so many now are on the recovery tanks that wouldn't make sense to call it a radiator cap - but it's the same thing/idea. With it off AND not extreme heat like Summer and cranking A/C you might see ONE burp of coolant and then it should be over, level would drop and the refill would hold steady. A few fiesty vehicles might go thru something like that twice - that's it though. I know you are struggling with it - it can be done without spilling the coolant and just a lot of experience you get the feel for this stuff. Again - I hope not but this repeating that behavior is consistant with the head gasket pumping vapor/gasseous air into cooling system and each time the thermotat opens is blow out the liquid ahead of it - never ending cycle of adding more air if you will. Get a second opinion and hard as it is try not to overheat the thing any more than it already has, T
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stieber73
User
Jan 15, 2009, 7:22 PM
Post #27 of 32
(1382 views)
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Re: Re:95 Monte Carlo 3.1 - Antifreeze
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Thank you for all your help, I really appreciate it.
Eric 
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stieber73
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Jan 16, 2009, 10:00 AM
Post #28 of 32
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Re: Re:95 Monte Carlo 3.1 - Antifreeze
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Well I did that test and the coolant was circulating, no barfing, I dont know, maybe I got a bad thermostat from the auto parts store, It was about -5 here today and my engine was frosted, the tempature gauge stayed normal and I had heat the whole time driving. So maybe all the air went out, lets hope so
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 16, 2009, 10:33 AM
Post #29 of 32
(1378 views)
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Re: Re:95 Monte Carlo 3.1 - Antifreeze
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Cross your fingers it's all just air and finally purged out. The extreme cold may have helped or may be covering up problem so do keep watching levels. I guess I don't have to say to leave heater on full blast - it's a great indicator that all is well coolant wise.
Gasketing might also be intermittent - you didn't want to hear that I know. The biggest problem with head to block gaskets are the differences in temps of the parts and the ability of the gasket to adjust to that. When alloy heads are used on cast iron blocks the problem is much more difficult to the gaskets and more common too with wildly different rates of expansion and contraction. You may also historically have heard of "Blowing a Gasket" as an expression which is when severely overheated the temp differences are that much greater in the parts.
There are defective thermostats and sometimes those may snap out of it or not. Who knows on that one but it's not very common.
BTW- beat you by 3 degrees! -8F at 6:30AM and colder possible tonight! Actual documented temp in Ashland, ME hit MINUS FIVETY TWO DEGREES FAHRENHEIT - a lower 48 all time record according to the news!
I guess that's what they call Global Warming? Could have fooled me!
T
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Jan 16, 2009, 10:43 AM)
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stieber73
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Jan 18, 2009, 2:23 PM
Post #30 of 32
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Re: Re:95 Monte Carlo 3.1 - Antifreeze
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Okay Tom I think I pinpointed the problem, tell me what you think. You know that when the engine is shut off isn't the antifreeze from the reservoir supposed to go back to the radiator? Because when I open the radiator cap the radiator is missing water ant it is then when the antifreeze starts coming out of the reservoir hose into the radiator. So I am thinking it is either the reservoir tank, the hose going to the radiator or the pressure cap that is causing my problem. What do you think? Thanks
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 18, 2009, 2:37 PM
Post #31 of 32
(1367 views)
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Re: Re:95 Monte Carlo 3.1 - Antifreeze
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Ok: The radiator cap, hose that goes to tank and the tank must be right and air tight - the hose and clamps or when coolant contracts it will draw back from the easiest source which would be air.
Air could also draw back from any leak instead of the recovery tank. One would hope if a system can hold pressure than it would hold the ever so slight vacuum of contracting coolant to hold that but some funky leaks are possible that hold pressure and not vacuum?? Don't ask why
The seal on a water pump is on a shaft and can be directional when failed. That meaning it could hold and keep pressure but the slightest vacuum it draw air and doesn't leak. Those are HARD to figure out but usually will show some signs of leakage first at a vent hole underside of the pump - you need a dental mirror to look for most. Any traced evidence is enough to blame a water pump IMO.
That behavoir is rare but I've seen that happen. There's almost no 100% being sure of some of this stuff and it stinks if you get caught doing a big repair to find out that WASN'T it!
Do follow the smaller hose from radiator to the tank - take it off and replace if you doubt it at all. Could also be hairline cracks in the spout for the thing too.
Hey - If nothing else you are getting quite a work out in cooling system concepts!
T
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stieber73
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Jan 18, 2009, 3:17 PM
Post #32 of 32
(1363 views)
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Re: Re:95 Monte Carlo 3.1 - Antifreeze
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Boy I have learned alot about this whole system. Your advice is helpful, highly appreciated and thanks again.
Eric
Ok: The radiator cap, hose that goes to tank and the tank must be right and air tight - the hose and clamps or when coolant contracts it will draw back from the easiest source which would be air. Air could also draw back from any leak instead of the recovery tank. One would hope if a system can hold pressure than it would hold the ever so slight vacuum of contracting coolant to hold that but some funky leaks are possible that hold pressure and not vacuum?? Don't ask why The seal on a water pump is on a shaft and can be directional when failed. That meaning it could hold and keep pressure but the slightest vacuum it draw air and doesn't leak. Those are HARD to figure out but usually will show some signs of leakage first at a vent hole underside of the pump - you need a dental mirror to look for most. Any traced evidence is enough to blame a water pump IMO. That behavoir is rare but I've seen that happen. There's almost no 100% being sure of some of this stuff and it stinks if you get caught doing a big repair to find out that WASN'T it! Do follow the smaller hose from radiator to the tank - take it off and replace if you doubt it at all. Could also be hairline cracks in the spout for the thing too. Hey - If nothing else you are getting quite a work out in cooling system concepts! T |
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