slayerized6

iTrader: (12)

so i got done with my head swap a few days ago and i finally got a new coolant temp sensor since i broke mine on install.

when i start my engine and let it idle, the coolant temp rises to 210* pretty fast. after 210*, it still rises, but i shut down my car to prevent it from overheating. im trying to figure out why the temp is rising so fast. could it be a faulty thermostat? a bad water pump? air in the cooling system?

joshp14

iTrader: (5)

Probably air still trapped in the system. I always use a a fill jug similar to this one:

http://www.denlorstools.com/home/dt1/page_2420_36

It attaches to the fill cap (no leaks) and you fill up the funnel, then when the cooling system burps it auto fills. Works fairly well.

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

All you have to do is bleed the system of all the air and top the coolant off.

With the engine cold. Top the coolant off about 2-3 inches from the top of the radiator fill cap.

Then start the engine and wait for the t-stat to open. While you're waiting squeeze the upper radiator hose rapidly about 20 times, then do it to the lower hose. Just don't do it to where the coolant shoots out the top of the radiator fill cap.
Works every time to get all the air out. When the level drops after the t-stat opens, top it off and you're done.

slayerized6

iTrader: (12)

ill have to give that a try tomorrow. ill let you know how it goes

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

JUst keep squeezing the upper and lower radiator hoses till the t-stat opens.

Also, this has worked for me everytime I've drained my system. Just make sure you walk back and forth watching your temp guage just to make sure you're not sitting there overheating. If your temp guage gets past the 215 mark, its not working.

Usually idling, it'll open in about 10 minutes or so for a stock t-stat. 8 minutes for a 160.

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

While burping it by sqeezing the top hose have the front tires on ramps or an incline to help move the air out of the engine. You will actually see it "burp" through the radiator fill.

slayerized6

iTrader: (12)

update: brought it to the shop today to have them look at it. turns out my radiator was clogged and they fixed it with a reverse flush. going to pick the car up in an hour or so!

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

They got the air bubbles out. I've never in 30 years seen a clogged radiator "all of a sudden". It can happen over years and years of sludge build-up. But then you will see the temps rising little by little over time. You did a head swap and all of sudden the radiator got clogged and you're all of a sudden overheating...see what I mean.

Anyway, at least its ok now.

98Camarod

iTrader: (43)

My guess is that there wasn't enough coolant in the engine to get to the t-stat. The same **** happened to me a month or so ago. I put almost a gallon of coolant/water in the engine by using the upper radiator hose.

slayerized6

iTrader: (12)

i forgot to add that they also said the thermostat was stuck open. all should be good; picking it up in 15 min

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

They lied.

If it stuck open you wouldn't have had any over heating issue and the air bubbkes would not get caught in front of it. You had an air bubble that wasn;t allowing the t-stat to open so the coolant could flow.
Thats why some poeple drill a small hole in their t-stat, so air bubbles can never be an issude for them, the air would escape through the hole.

But thats how mechanics make their money.

91RS383

That's why I like to ask for my old/broken parts back if I take my car in.

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

And thats what this site is here for........if he would have massaged his upper and lower hoses he would have gotten those air bubbles out in 10 minutes. For free.