Cooling Discuss all of the aspects of cooling that you can think of! Radiators, transmissions, electric fans, etc.

Uh oh, it boils...

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Old 06-12-2003, 05:22 AM
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Car: 88 TA
Engine: 350ci
Transmission: Always broken 700r4
Uh oh, it boils...

I did a coolant change a week ago. Couldn't get all coolant out, but maybe a few liters. I replaced it with a 50:50 mixture of coolant/water until it reached the mark 'cold' in the tank.

The temps are okay, but when its really hot outside (36 Grad Celsius these days) the temperature rises to the last 'paint' before the red section... And you can hear from inside the car that the coolant is boiling hard!
Someone said a 50:50 mixture is crap, won't cool down enough. So what else mixture?

And does it use to install some better fans, like from Flex-a-lite or something? Don't have enough money for a new radiator....

Thanks for hints......
Old 06-12-2003, 06:06 AM
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Drain the coolant back out. Remove the knock sensor on the passenger lower side of the blocks to help drain the coolant from the lower part of the engine.

Get a flush kit and back flush the system, with the heater on to also clean the crud out of the heater core.

Change the thermostat to a 170 or 180, and drill a few small relief holes in it while you have it out.

Button everything back up. Now open the radiator cap ( go ahead and replace it if it looks questionable or looks to be the original one ) pour in a full gallon of antifreeze. Start the engine, now fill the radiator to the top while the engine is running with water ( distilled is preferred and it's not expensive either ). Being patient, since the coolant level will drop as the system pumps coolant through the engine. Once you've kept filling it, and the engine has run for awhile and the coolant level is still at the top, go ahead and replace the cap. Fill the coolant tank to the HOT mark or a tad above.

As for the radiator...BEFORE you start adding coolant back in, with the radiator empty, shine a flashlight in it...if you see a bunch of yellowish "slime" looking stuff, you're going to need to either have the radiator cleaned at a shop ( @$40 ) or replace it with a new alum replacement from a parts store for @ $120.



HTH
Old 06-13-2003, 05:59 AM
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Car: "02 z-28
Engine: LS-1
Transmission: 4L60E
Did you have this cooling issue before you changed out the coolant? If you didn't, then maybe you just have air in the system. To bleed, when it's COLD take off the rad cap start the car and gently rev it up a few times. See if you get air bubbles. Repeat this a few times until you don't see any, then top off the coolant when it's running. If you did have problems maybe the fan is not coming on. How about the stat, changed it recently. 50/50 mix is fine for almost any application.




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