Coolant question
#1
Coolant question
I drained out all of my coolant while replacing water pump, removing block heater, replacing thermostat, etc.
Question is: Should I "prime" the system by filling up the block/heads coolant passages (as much as I can) through the intake at the thermostat housing while still adding coolant to the radiator? Or is this overkill and I should just fill the radiator and continue to add coolant (while motor is running) until it reaches the correct level?
Question is: Should I "prime" the system by filling up the block/heads coolant passages (as much as I can) through the intake at the thermostat housing while still adding coolant to the radiator? Or is this overkill and I should just fill the radiator and continue to add coolant (while motor is running) until it reaches the correct level?
#2
I've never 'primed' one as you say. Just fill it best you can thru the rad cap (Make sure you closed the rad petcock...me=d'oh). I usually let it sit a few minutes, 'burp' the hoses a few times, top it off & fire it up. The air wil rise to the highest point which on these cars is the upper hose/rad top/rad cap. (Not like some newer cars that require cooling sys air purges..)
#4
It is possible to have air trapped at the top of the block before the thermoststat opens. I drill a 1/8-3/16 inch hole in the edge of the thermostat to allow the air to bleed off when you're putting coolant in. An old timer mechanic taught me that 40 years ago....
#5
When i did mine a couple years ago (block drain also), I filled the radiator within 3" of the opening. I turned the heater on, started the car, and let it run. Coolant dropped a lot. I kept filling slowly, with water and coolant, keeping level within 2" of the opening. As it got hot and thermostat opened, it dropped some more and I filled it more. After another 5 minutes, I shut it off and topped it off, replaced the cap, filled the overflow bottle and retopped it off after the first long drive.
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Arrowstorm
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February 9th, 2007 02:30 PM
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December 22nd, 2006 10:20 PM