Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Crazy Coolant Problems... Please Help!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 6, 2014 | 02:27 PM
  #1  
thumpstick's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: clemson / charleston SC
Default Crazy Coolant Problems... Please Help!

I will apologize in advance for the length of this thread... Sorry.

So here is my problem:

When I start the car it runs fine. I have a smart funnel on the radiator to bleed the coolant system. after the car gets up to temp (but before the coolant temp. gauge reads normal operating temp) the level in the funnel begins to rise and then it explodes out making a huge mess. This happens before the radiator fan even comes on.

What I've tried/addressed:

I just put new head gaskets on the car. I made sure they were oriented the correctly and I cleaned the mating surfaces very well. I even used a cylinder leakage tester with the dye and there are no signs of a blown head gasket. the heads were pressure tested and checked for cracks before installation.

I have tried three different thermostats (two used and one new).

I have pressure tested the radiator and there were no leaks.

I have tilted the car up at a steep angle to attempt to bleed the system.

I have removed the steam vent and blown air into the heads to make sure there were no clogs.

I have tried two different water pumps.

I ran the car with the steam vent line removed from the radiator and held over the funnel.

I have searched for signs of coolant all over the engine/radiator with none found.


I am truly stumped on this one. no matter what I try, the car still boils over. with the cap on the radiator, the coolant hoses become so pressurized that you can't even squeeze them. I even tried a different radiator cap.

The only thing I can think to do at this point (before removing the engine) is to pull off the water pump again and run a garden hose through the inlet/outlet to see if there is some sort of clog in the block itself.

has anyone ever seen this before or have any suggestions?

In case it matters, the car is '93 rx7 with an '01 camaro ls1/t56.

Thanks,

-John
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2014 | 03:27 PM
  #2  
RockinWs6's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,628
Likes: 30
Default

Its gonna boil over without a cap on................Bleed it out best you canbefore it gets hot and PUT THE CAP ON. Shut the engine off till it cools down then open the cap and fill it. Do this till filled. Its tossing water because there is air in there and its getting too hot boiling over.

ITS GOING to boil over everytime without a cap.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2014 | 03:37 PM
  #3  
thumpstick's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: clemson / charleston SC
Default

thanks, I did not know that. I will try that after I get it back together.

I just stuck a garden hose in the passage in the block and it looked like something shot out of the other port on the passenger side. I turned the hose on and water was only trickling out when it all of a sudden popped and let go. what ever it was it looked clear (I was unable to find what it was). I am thinking that maybe some of the plastic that the engine was wrapped in for shipping got stuck in one of the coolant passages and created a clog. I am about to put it back together and see what happens.

Wish me luck!

thanks,
-John
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2014 | 04:02 PM
  #4  
RockinWs6's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,628
Likes: 30
Default

Anythings possible............ good luck dood
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:46 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-04 18:13:20


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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