Coolant bleeder valve

[darkcherrymetallic]

Hello. So I did a LIM gasket last week and I've been having problems ever since. One of the problems that is popping up is a "low coolant". However, after the engine warms up and there's pressure in the coolant system it goes away. I've read so many variety of possible causes and frankly i'm a little bit nervous. After my gasket change, I did open up the coolant bleeder valve, but there wasn't really any bubbles coming out. Mostly just anti-freeze.

I don't recollect what the upper radiator hose for a 2002 gtp is supposed to feel like, but when the engine is off and ithe car is cold is the hose supposed to be be flexible (meaning it can be squeezed and with no fluid in the upper radiator hose)? When the engine has been running awhile the upper hose becomes really tight and obviously I can feel fluid moving. Is this normal? I read some postings on the net that this is not normal, but I am skeptically.

I've checked the oil and there seems to be no coolant in the engine oil. In the times that I was able to drive the car, the temp has been fairly constant at 180 degrees.

Any thoughts?

[procaddytech]

Is the coolant acually low or does the message just come on once in a while? The coolant level sensors in the radiator tank could be contaminated. Using a small wire brush or emery cloth, polish the low coolant level sensor probe to remove any film or oxidation then rinse it off. Does the heat get hot at idle? If it does then you should not have any air pockets. If the vacuum vent valve in the radiator cap is bad it will not be able draw coolant in from the recovery tank as the engine cools, so you have to wait until the coolant heats up and rises in level.

[Tech II]

Would help to know the year, and if it is a 3.8 or 3.1/3.4 engine.....

Is the sender in the radiator or in the reservoir? If it's the reservoir, just tapping it with a screwdriver handle, takes car of it.....

If in the radiator, if the radiator is full, like procaddytech says, the sender could have crap on it and needs to be cleaned or worse case, replaced....

When the car is cold, there is no pressure in the system, so that upper hose can easily be flexed....when hot, there is pressure building in the system, so that's why it's hard....both scenarios are normal.....

With a new thermostat, temps should be in the 190-200 range....