coolant system bleed

[fxrmike]

I replaced the thermostat on a 3.1. I can't seem to get the air out. I've tried filling the radiator until until antifreeze comes out the bleeder valves (like everybody says). Only I never have antifreeze come out unless I start the engine. I've also tried leaving the radiator cap off and letting it run to see if it will burp. I can leave it sitting in the driveway idling and it never over heats. The heater also doesn't blow hot air. If I drive it the needles pegs hot within a 1/2 mi. I need some help!!

[danielsatur]

1) Use a prestone flush kit to force a little water pressure.
2) You might beable to force little water pressure with just a garden hose.

[fxrmike]

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

[Oldsmobileguy]

Try taking your floor jack and lifting the front and rear of the car to work the air out. sometimes works

[fxrmike]

I'll give it a try. I have heat now but it still over heats? The radiator cap is where I can touch it. I can also stick my finger in the reservoir without getting burnt. Whatever happened to the days of filling up a radiator and being ready to go? I took the hose off going back to the radiator, I figured the engine would through enough water to drown me, but it was like someone spitting. I put a new water pump on yesterday. The old one looked fine, Where is the engineer that designed this piece of crap?

[Oldsmobileguy]

Not to question your abilities but are you sure the thermostat is installed in the correct direction? Is the surface of the radiator hot to the touch when the engine is?

[danielsatur]

1) How long doe's it take to over heat?
2) Is the coolant fan working?
3) Is there any leaves, yard litter, or bugs restricting air flow through the Air condition condensor, or radiator?
4) Is the engine running too lean, causing an over heated condition?
5) Are the catalytic converters plugged?

What year + mileage is on this car?

[fxrmike]

I haven't felt the radiator. I did however question my own ability and took the thermostat back out to make sure the spring was to the engine side. It's really cold here. I check the radiator and soon as this front moves through. Thanks alot.

[danielsatur]

If you put the thermostat in backwards you wouldn't get heat from AC.

[fxrmike]

It take less than two minutes to overheat. It never smells hot though. The cooling fans are working. There is nothing blocking the radiator and it does't appear to be running lean. It doesn't run nor smell like the catalytic converters are plugged. The story behind this is the power steering pump pulley broke and my daughter drove it about another 10 miles. Every since it has had overheating problems. It has a new thermostat, water pump and temp. sender. It's a 96 with appx. 136,000

[danielsatur]

Have a local muffler shop do a catalytic converter back pressure test.

[done365]

fxrmike I am very interested to hear if you had this issue resolved and how. I have the exact same problem initiated the same way.