General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Boiling from radiator & over-flow

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 13, 2014 | 11:33 PM
  #1  
Themonkey209's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Stockton, CA
Unhappy Boiling from radiator & over-flow

So I own a 2000 z28. I have a new radiator, new cap. It does not over heat, oil looks good and coolant seems to be fine with no oil. At times after driving it does get to about just a centimeter above the middle. Once I turn it off coolant begins to boil from the radiator & overflow. (Sometimes coolant comes out from the overflow tank) so I'm planing on changing my thermostat and flushing the coolant for air.. Would a bad thermostat cause this??? I would feel so much better if it's just the thermostat but idk if this is a symptom of a bad t-stat. So I'm going to also do a block test as well just in case.. Any advise? Has Anyone had any similar issues ??
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2014 | 07:10 AM
  #2  
fleetmgr's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, OK
Default

Regardless of what the temp gauge says, your engine is overheating. From your description the thermostat is the likely culprit.
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2014 | 09:21 AM
  #3  
demonspeed's Avatar
It's not mine! woo hoo!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,128
Likes: 5
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default

Definitely change the thermostat. I would highly suggest removing the power steering cooler while you're messing with the coolant system.

A note about the thermostat: you'll find there are two types -- one with the housing, and one with just the thermostat. You'll want the unit with the housing if you've never replaced the water pump. The setups that require just the thermostat itself are 2004+ pumps which is the OE service recommendation for water pump replacement.

edit: comment on the temp gauge -- the only year that offered a "working" gauge was 1998. 99-02 were essentially just an on/off switch, showing normal temp without fluctuation at all times unless it was overheating. If you have movement, then it's overheating no matter what it "reads." Also, you may want to consider replacing the coolant temp sensor depending on the mileage.
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2014 | 09:28 AM
  #4  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,967
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

How about a bad pressure cap on the radiator? If this was bad, the system would see atmospheric pressure and would boil at a lower temperature.

I'd think this would be more likely than a double failure of thermostat and coolant sensor.

I'd also get a hydrometer and test the coolant.
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2014 | 01:27 PM
  #5  
demonspeed's Avatar
It's not mine! woo hoo!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,128
Likes: 5
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default

Originally Posted by wssix99
How about a bad pressure cap on the radiator?
I should ban you for your inability to read.

Originally Posted by Themonkey209
I have a new radiator, new cap.
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2014 | 03:10 PM
  #6  
Themonkey209's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Stockton, CA
Default

Awesome! Great Thank You! i will Most Def change the T-stat ASAP., so from the sound of whats happening to it., would a Bad T-stat cause that ?? im really hoping its only that., i am hoping it isnt a bad Head Gasket!!
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2014 | 03:25 PM
  #7  
TASCAPARTS's Avatar
Closed ex-Sponsor Account
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Default

agree....
Since you have replaced all the rest... oem ones form us run $ 36.00 plus shipping but I wouldn't wait..

Chris
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2014 | 08:49 PM
  #8  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,967
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Originally Posted by demonspeed
I should ban you for your inability to read.
Crap.




I read that the first time and then forgot when I came back to the thread.

I still think this is a pressure problem. In order for this to be overheating, there would need to be a simultaneous failure of the temperature sensor and thermostat. That would be highly illogical: (but still possible)



I'd:
- Throw away the new radiator cap unless its a GM part.
- Do a pressure test of the system
- Test the thermostat and temp sensor before buying new ones:
~ http://www.focushacks.com/mod/Testing_your_thermostat
~ http://www.wellsve.com/sft503/counterp_v2_i2_1998.pdf
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 14, 2014 | 11:22 PM
  #9  
LS6427's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 13
From: South Florida
Default

Originally Posted by Themonkey209
So I own a 2000 z28. I have a new radiator, new cap. It does not over heat, oil looks good and coolant seems to be fine with no oil. At times after driving it does get to about just a centimeter above the middle. Once I turn it off coolant begins to boil from the radiator & overflow. (Sometimes coolant comes out from the overflow tank) so I'm planing on changing my thermostat and flushing the coolant for air.. Would a bad thermostat cause this??? I would feel so much better if it's just the thermostat but idk if this is a symptom of a bad t-stat. So I'm going to also do a block test as well just in case.. Any advise? Has Anyone had any similar issues ??

So....it only starts to boil out of BOTH the radiator AND overflow tank....AFTER you shut the engine off....?

It does not ever boil over with the engine still running...?

If your tstat was not opening the temp needle would never stop moving and it would bury into the red.....all the way to the right.

Maybe you crossed the coolant cross-over line coming from the TB/heads.....with the over-flow tube port.......

I guess your tstat could be partially opening......but if its boiling over you have AIR in the system.....that's for sure.

Could be as simple as a bad NEW Radiator cap.........it happens. But check that the overflow hose is running to the overflow tank.....and the coolant cross-over line is running to the port UNDER the overflow port.......

.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2014 | 06:33 AM
  #10  
lsexpress's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (-1)
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Default

I had this problem before I forgot what fixdd it
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2014 | 11:53 AM
  #11  
RPM WS6's Avatar
LS1Tech Administrator
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Community Builder
Community Influencer
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,631
Likes: 2,555
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Default

I think the issue will more than likely come down to either this:

Originally Posted by wssix99
I still think this is a pressure problem. In order for this to be overheating, there would need to be a simultaneous failure of the temperature sensor and thermostat. That would be highly illogical: (but still possible)

I'd:
- Throw away the new radiator cap unless its a GM part.
- Do a pressure test of the system
- Test the thermostat and temp sensor before buying new ones:
~ http://www.focushacks.com/mod/Testing_your_thermostat
~ http://www.wellsve.com/sft503/counterp_v2_i2_1998.pdf
...or this:

Originally Posted by LS6427
Maybe you crossed the coolant cross-over line coming from the TB/heads.....with the over-flow tube port.......

Could be as simple as a bad NEW Radiator cap.........it happens. But check that the overflow hose is running to the overflow tank.....and the coolant cross-over line is running to the port UNDER the overflow port.......
Based on the description so far, I think the t-stat is much less suspect than the other possibilities above. But it certainly wouldn't hurt to test it.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2014 | 02:14 PM
  #12  
demonspeed's Avatar
It's not mine! woo hoo!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,128
Likes: 5
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default

Originally Posted by RPM WS6
Based on the description so far, I think the t-stat is much less suspect than the other possibilities above. But it certainly wouldn't hurt to test it.
And likely not a bad idea to change it, anyway.
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2014 | 09:48 PM
  #13  
Themonkey209's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Stockton, CA
Default

Super valuable info everyone!! Thank you!!! Wish me luck!!! I have picked up a combustion leak tester from Auto zone and am ready to do a little chemical experiment!!! I am so crossing my fingers this blue liquid stays BLUE ! And doesn't turn YELLOW!!!! (Or green according to a few YouTube vids)
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2014 | 08:19 AM
  #14  
perezpowerbuilders's Avatar
Staging Lane
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 87
Likes: 1
From: kyle texas
Default

+1 on the radiator cap..my car was doing the same thing boiling and sometimes overflow from the reservoir took me awhile to figure out the problem. Turns out the radiator cap was not holding proper pressure. I replaced the old one with a new one and the new one was bad too! Took it back and got another one . Fixed the problem.
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2014 | 10:27 PM
  #15  
joecar's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 17
From: So.Cal.
Default

I've had new rad caps that were bad.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2014 | 02:03 PM
  #16  
qwkhuh's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: streamwood
Default

same thing just happened to my car on sunday
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2014 | 05:12 PM
  #17  
hrcslam's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,610
Likes: 4
From: Maricopa, AZ
Default

Originally Posted by demonspeed
I should ban you for your inability to read.
Ohh looks like it's been covered. Just because it's been replaced doesn't make it good or the right part.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2014 | 08:16 AM
  #18  
demonspeed's Avatar
It's not mine! woo hoo!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,128
Likes: 5
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default

Originally Posted by hrcslam
Ohh looks like it's been covered. Just because it's been replaced doesn't make it good or the right part.
No, but I like to find reasons to give wssix99 a hard time.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2014 | 10:25 AM
  #19  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,967
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Originally Posted by demonspeed
No, but I like to find reasons to give wssix99 a hard time.



The suspense is killing me. I am looking forward to finding out what the resolution is here so we don't need to entertain ourselves with this childish bickering! (Maybe we should start a separate thread for childish bickering?)
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2014 | 12:36 PM
  #20  
demonspeed's Avatar
It's not mine! woo hoo!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,128
Likes: 5
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default

I, too, am interested in knowing how the problem gets solved.

I am also interested in bickering since things are slow at work today.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:12 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE