Coolent in overflow tank always cold

[Capot]

This seems very odd to me. I've got a 165 degree thermostat installed in my 99 Firebird. I've recently had the hoses replaced and have been keeping an eye on the coolent level to make sure there are no leaks. After driving home from work, about 15 miles, and the temp gage shows a bit below 210 I'd think that the dipstick would show 'full hot' however it still shows 'full cold' and touching the coolent on the dipstick it feels cold. I don't see how this could be right. The car is not over heating in fact usually it's showing between 210 and the tick mark to the left of it. If this is not normal, which I don't see how it could be, what can be checked?

Thanks
Chris

[cam98aro]

Re: Coolent in overflow tank always cold

did you bleed the coolant after the hoses were installed? there could be air trapped in the coolant system causing it to squeeze instead of using the overflow.

and i wouldnt necessarily be worried about it, i have a car with no overflow, there is just a tube going to the ground, and no coolant ever spills out of it.. meaning if it did have an overflow it wouldnt be being used

[Capot]

Re: Coolent in overflow tank always cold

I'd imagine the shop where I took it did that. I remember I was having some other work done and when they called to tell me the car was about ready they were just waiting for the radiator to 'burp' I believe he said. Anyway I can check to see if it needs to be bled?

[cam98aro]

Re: Coolent in overflow tank always cold

I'd imagine the shop where I took it did that. I remember I was having some other work done and when they called to tell me the car was about ready they were just waiting for the radiator to 'burp' I believe he said. Anyway I can check to see if it needs to be bled?

considering your car is a 99, there should be a bleeder screw on the thermostat housing, "burping" the rad is not the correct way to do it.

let the car get to operating temp, then open the bleeder screw and see if the coolant comes out in a stream with no air bubbles

[1997Canadian3.8]

Re: Coolent in overflow tank always cold

considering your car is a 99, there should be a bleeder screw on the thermostat housing, "burping" the rad is not the correct way to do it.

let the car get to operating temp, then open the bleeder screw and see if the coolant comes out in a stream with no air bubbles

This!

I did this and had no problems, it ensures you have no air in your system and its easy to do.

[Capot]

Re: Coolent in overflow tank always cold

Thanks, found it. I'll check it out this weekend. Do I leave the engine running while doing this or shut it off?

[Atrum Rosa]

Re: Coolent in overflow tank always cold

Have to have the engine running so it heats up and the thermo opens. I had the radiator cap off and the screw out. I kept topping off the radiator as it ran and until the stream from the screw was steady. Then I capped the radiator, then shut off the engine before putting the bleed screw back in. I wasn't quite brave enough to put the screw in with hot coolant flying :P I'd suggest putting a big towel you don't mind throwing out by the screw so you don't drench your engine in coolant.

With my 160 deg. thermostat, my temperature gauge is just a hair over the bottom 160 line :)

[Capot]

Re: Coolent in overflow tank always cold

Thanks, so
1. Remove radiator cap and bleeder screw
2. Start engine and let reach operating temp
3. When stream is steady repace cap, shut off engine and replace screw.

Look right?

[Atrum Rosa]

Re: Coolent in overflow tank always cold

Yep. :)

[1997Canadian3.8]

Re: Coolent in overflow tank always cold

You can do it without taking the rad cap off but whatever is easier for you, bro.

The only important part is to get the car at running temp. Speaking of this I'm going to have to get me one of those 165* thermostats I don't like how hot my car runs on hot days.

[cam98aro]

Re: Coolent in overflow tank always cold

Thanks, so
1. Remove radiator cap and bleeder screw
2. Start engine and let reach operating temp
3. When stream is steady repace cap, shut off engine and replace screw.

Look right?

ehh, this is what i would do:

1. start the car and let it get to operating temp (driving around your block will let this happen a bit faster)
2. open the hood, and find the bleeder screw
3. open it with a screwdriver, slowly until you see coolant coming out, do not take it all of the way off
4. look at the fluid coming out, when it is properly bled a small steady stream will come out, if it spits or steams, keep it open until you see a steady stream
5. wait for the system to cool off, open the rad cap and top off the coolant.

i would also suggest checking it a few times the first week as you might have to top it off more than once, but the bleeding process should be done