Coolant Woes

[David Parkes]

Pilgrim Sumo, 2.8V6 Cologne.

Fired the engine up for the first time yesterday with great success, apart from coolant issues. WHAT A BUZZ!! Prior to the start up I'd got about 8 pints in and there was no drop in the level after about 10 mins of engine running......... result hot engine (i think as I had not temperature gauge on it, only an oil pressure gauge)!

Then we had the bright idea of back-filling from the heater to try and force the air out. Quite a bit of success, we managed to get another 8 pints in.

Started the engine up again, this time all the hoses seem to get warm and engine seemed to stay cooller and then............ after about 5 minutes of running, the pressure must have built up and out p&*sed 3 pints of coolant from the overflow outlet in the expansion tank. Net coolant in the system is about 13 pints. Haynes manual says I should have 16!

Does all this sound OK and I have no problems? Or do I still have an air-lock? If so, how do I get it out??

:} :} :} :}

Thanks

[Purple AK]

Sounds normal for a cologne, Try topping it back up and see what happens? Are you running the viscous fan? If not did the fan cut in?

[David Parkes]

Nope. Twin electric fans as per Pilgrim recommendation. Radiator was warm/hot but fans had not kicked in. I lost my bottle at that point as I had no means of knowing the temperature and didn't want to risk anything.

[kdavies3]

Often bleeding of a new system can be improved with the thermostat removed or jacked open.

[Purple AK]

Like I said try topping it up and running it again, it's amazing how much trapped air you can get. If it still happens it try shorting the fan switch and see what happens.
Cheers

[David Parkes]

Any other way? I don't want to take the risk and open the system once again by removing the thermostat.

[kdavies3]

The thermostat is one of ther higher parts of the system so you won't lose much.
Often allowing it to cool and then refilling / topping up can help too. This may need several attempts before all the air is purged.

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Kev Davies
Dax, 383ci Chevy Stroker, Tremec TKO
South Wales

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