coolant trouble
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Teching In
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7
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From: Funky town T.X.
coolant trouble 
I have a 97 ss, and recently replaced the water pump on it. I also replaced the thermostat. After putting it all back together and no leaks from the pump I thought everything was fine. I took it for a 15 min drive and it stayed cool and every thing was fine. Once i got the car home and shut it off is when the problem started. All of my coolant was gushing from my over flow bottle, and it never really felt like there was alot of pressure in the radiator hoses. A couple of people told me there was air in the system. If you think the same what can I do to fix it? Thanks Josh. 
Easy Thermostat Changeout
Do this when the engine is cool (like after sitting overnight or for several hours where there is no residual pressure in the system). This way there will be no need to drain any extra coolant from the system.
You will have to remove the intake elbow.
Stuff absorbent rags or towels all around the thermostat housing to catch any coolant when you take the housing loose. Not a lot will come out. Just keep it off your optispark.
Swap the thermostats and put the housing back on. Don't overtighten the bolts, they can easily break (torque to 89 lb. in. - "snug"). No gasket or sealant is needed other than the rubber o-ring that is on the thermostat, itself.
Put everything back together and put whatever amount of coolant you lost back into the remote reservoir. After a few heat and cool cycles, the system will pull back in any coolant that was lost.
Idle the engine and monitor the temp. If the temp goes abnormally high, you may have an air pocket. Open the bleeder screws after the thermostat is open to remove any air. Only a stream of coolant will come out when all air is gone and there will be no spitting or hissing.
Close screws and monitor the temp.
www.shbox.com useful info on that site. also try the search button. goodluck
Do this when the engine is cool (like after sitting overnight or for several hours where there is no residual pressure in the system). This way there will be no need to drain any extra coolant from the system.
You will have to remove the intake elbow.
Stuff absorbent rags or towels all around the thermostat housing to catch any coolant when you take the housing loose. Not a lot will come out. Just keep it off your optispark.
Swap the thermostats and put the housing back on. Don't overtighten the bolts, they can easily break (torque to 89 lb. in. - "snug"). No gasket or sealant is needed other than the rubber o-ring that is on the thermostat, itself.
Put everything back together and put whatever amount of coolant you lost back into the remote reservoir. After a few heat and cool cycles, the system will pull back in any coolant that was lost.
Idle the engine and monitor the temp. If the temp goes abnormally high, you may have an air pocket. Open the bleeder screws after the thermostat is open to remove any air. Only a stream of coolant will come out when all air is gone and there will be no spitting or hissing.
Close screws and monitor the temp.
www.shbox.com useful info on that site. also try the search button. goodluck
