Smoke from Radiator Cap
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 16,329
From: Houston, TX
RE: Smoke from Radiator Cap
You might want to try a radiator flush for the system. You can drain and keep the new coolant. Follow the instructions on the bottle. Run a bunch of water to get the acid out of the system and refill with your old coolant.
Do you know when the water pump was replaced?
Do you know when the water pump was replaced?
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 77
From:
RE: Smoke from Radiator Cap
I did a little test.
With the radiator cap off, I squeezed the lower and upper hose individually and watched the fluid level near the radiator neck rise and drop. This indicated that the fluid is able to travel through. I also noticed that when the car is warmed, the lower radiator hose builds up pressure, but not heat.
Still stranded....
With the radiator cap off, I squeezed the lower and upper hose individually and watched the fluid level near the radiator neck rise and drop. This indicated that the fluid is able to travel through. I also noticed that when the car is warmed, the lower radiator hose builds up pressure, but not heat.
Still stranded....
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 77
From:
RE: Smoke from Radiator Cap
Another observation:
The bleed valve is located on the right side of the thermostat, meaning it is only bleeding that side of the system. Since my thermostat isnt opening up, would that mean theres air pockets on the other side of the system
The bleed valve is located on the right side of the thermostat, meaning it is only bleeding that side of the system. Since my thermostat isnt opening up, would that mean theres air pockets on the other side of the system
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 16,329
From: Houston, TX
RE: Smoke from Radiator Cap
I have filled the system with the engine cold and never had to add coolant when finished. In my opinion the thermstat probably will let some coolant pass when it is "closed".
Did you put in a new thermostat? The quote above reads like you haven't.
Squeezing the lower radiator hose while keeping the upper hose close might be a better test, because you can't be sure which side of the system you are pushing the coolant towards.
ORIGINAL: patpatpat
The bleed valve is located on the right side of the thermostat, meaning it is only bleeding that side of the system. Since my thermostat isnt opening up, would that mean theres air pockets on the other side of the system
The bleed valve is located on the right side of the thermostat, meaning it is only bleeding that side of the system. Since my thermostat isnt opening up, would that mean theres air pockets on the other side of the system
Squeezing the lower radiator hose while keeping the upper hose close might be a better test, because you can't be sure which side of the system you are pushing the coolant towards.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 77
From:
RE: Smoke from Radiator Cap
The reason why I said the thermostat isnt opening up is because the lower hose is still cold.
ORIGINAL: PAhonda
I have filled the system with the engine cold and never had to add coolant when finished. In my opinion the thermstat probably will let some coolant pass when it is "closed".
Did you put in a new thermostat? The quote above reads like you haven't.
Squeezing the lower radiator hose while keeping the upper hose close might be a better test, because you can't be sure which side of the system you are pushing the coolant towards.
I have filled the system with the engine cold and never had to add coolant when finished. In my opinion the thermstat probably will let some coolant pass when it is "closed".
ORIGINAL: patpatpat
The bleed valve is located on the right side of the thermostat, meaning it is only bleeding that side of the system. Since my thermostat isnt opening up, would that mean theres air pockets on the other side of the system
The bleed valve is located on the right side of the thermostat, meaning it is only bleeding that side of the system. Since my thermostat isnt opening up, would that mean theres air pockets on the other side of the system
Squeezing the lower radiator hose while keeping the upper hose close might be a better test, because you can't be sure which side of the system you are pushing the coolant towards.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 77
From:
RE: Smoke from Radiator Cap
Also, the temp gauge doesnt climb above the half way mark when the radiator starts steaming off the cap. I believe the gauge does work: reads blue when cold and slowly climbs up when its being warmed up.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,398
From: Wisconsin
RE: Smoke from Radiator Cap
You should be able to hear the little rattle-pin in the thermostat when you squeeze the hoses. That little opening is supposed to allow enough flow thru so the fan-switch will see the hot temperature.
If you don't hear that, I gotta ask.... Is the thermostat installed backwards or otherwise obstructed? I didn't think that was possible, but ????
If you don't hear that, I gotta ask.... Is the thermostat installed backwards or otherwise obstructed? I didn't think that was possible, but ????
