Overheating...

[Mike75]

Okay, here we go again. I just drove my Bird from Augusta, Ga to Los Angeles, and overall - Dozer did great. I did overheat once on the way, but as long as I didn't use my heater, everything seemed to be fine. But now I am here, commuting, and my car is over heating a LOT. When my CHECK GAUGES light comes on, I pop my hood, and see that all of the coolant is in the reservoir, and the lines are full of air. I open the NEW radiator cap slowly to release all of the steam, then squeeze the upper hose, put my hand over the radiator cap hole, then release the upper hose which pumps the coolant back into the radiator from the reservoir. It takes about 20 pumps to get all of the coolant from the reservoir back into the cooling system, but it works. When I first start driving again, though, I start hearing a loud gurgling sound from behind the glove box which, i guess, is the cooling system taking in more air. I don't understand how this supposed leak is allowing air into the negatively pressurized system before it would drop that valve on the radiator cap to allow in coolant from the reservoir. But, understand it or not, this is what appears to be happening. I would love to think that it is something minor, but the loud gurgling from behind the glove box makes me think it's that damn heater core. What do you guys think before I rip my dash out? Remember - I don't seem to be leaking coolant from the system, just out of the top of the reservoir as it fills up without being allowed to return to the air filled system. Thanks in advance!

Love, Mike.

[melfan]

You may want to have the system pressure flushed and have the radiator removed and dipped cleaning any crud build-up, this may remove any obstructions in the system. Any obstructions in the coolant system will make the system think it's full, forcing coolant back into the overflow.

You may also want to check the radiator cap.

The cap may not have sufficient pressure or to much pressure, this will cause the radiator to drain into the overflow or prevent coolant from getting out of the overflow. The sound you hear may be made by heat building up pressure in the system.

The sound from behind the glove box may also be the heater core.

I am taking a guess based on my experiences. I hope some of this helps.

[Mike75]

I appreciate it, but the radiator, the cap, thermostat and pump are all less than a year old. In fact, I just replaced the cap a few weeks ago. I will go and have the pressure flush tho, I guess (although I'm afraid of any more pressure on an already seemingly sensitive cooling system). Thanks for the reply!

[97Bird]

It might be worthwhile to have the cooling system tested for combustion gases (head gasket?).

[overl0rd]

Have you bled the air out of the cooling system?

[melfan]

Even if you have all new parts, doesn't mean you don't have a blockage somewhere.

Even a piece of sand could give you grief. The coolant tubes are very small and can easily get clogged. I highly recommend a complete flush of the system. Just make sure they pressure test it, as 97Bird indicated this could cause a head gasket to go and then you will have to rebuild the engine or junk it. This happened to me about 15 years ago it cost me $3,000 then.

Best to take it to someone who specializes in cooling systems I wouldn't trust the average back alley garage.

Hope this helps.

[Mike75]

Yeah, 97 - I have a blown head gasket that I applied that K&W Block Seal to. I know it's just a band-aid, and I need to get it fixed. I definitely consider this being involved in my problem, but I just don't see how it would allow air to get in there. The combustion gases idea is interesting, tho...

Yes, overlord, I have bled the system of air. In fact, I just installed a T-Valve from Home depot to the upper radiator hose to help me get rid of the air until I have the time to fix this problem (which has to be sometime within the next two weeks). My car is starting to look ghetto as hell under the hood, but I had to do this for the meantime.

Melfan, I will definitely get the system flushed and pressure tested, and NOT by pep-boys. I really appreciate the concern.

Thanks a hell of a lot, yall - I really appreciate it. If anyone thinks of anything new in the meantime, please let me know. Thanks again - I'll let yall know how it turns out (just gotta wait for that damn first paycheck - I hate starting a new job!).

[97Bird]

Every compression stroke of the cylinder with the bad gasket is pushing air into the cooling system. In all my years I've never heard of a pressure test causing a head gasket to let go! A normal pressure test would never cause that to happen (the pressure applied isn't high enough). Also, a pressure test isn't the same as a combustion gas test. A pressure test tells you if you have a leak somewhere and a gas test tells you it's into a cylinder. I think you are hoping someone will tell you that you don't have to replace the head gaskets to cure your problem but it ain't gonna happen. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but good luck with the repairs and your new job!

[melfan]

The K&W Block Seal is a temp fix till you get the head gasket fixed not intended for a permanent fix.

This stuff will only aggravate the problem. I highly advise you bite the bullet and get the head gasket replaced BEFORE it goes and believe me it will go.

Two birds with one stone, this will fix both problems.

Good luck

[overl0rd]

Its advisable to do both head gaskets at the same time, save yourself some headache down the road.

[Mike75]

Hehe, yeah, I guess I was hoping for some more time with those head gaskets. Anyhow, I know that the K&W was a temporary fix, I was just hoping for more time.

Thanks again, yall - I appreciate it!

[intrcptrbird]

Hey mike I noticed that you live in Monrovia which is pretty close to Pasadena. I have a preety good friend who's dad has a shop in Pasadena. If you want I can get you hooked up with him and I know he could fix the problem.

[mechhound]

You don't say which engine you have, but I would quess the infamous 3.8. One thing that comes to mind is the cooing fan behind the radiator, is it kicking in? You said it only overheated once going cross-country from Georgia to California. When you are out on the road at highway speeds you virtually don't need a fan due to your speed forcing air through the radiator. Enough said, Good luck.

[Mike75]

Originally Posted by intrcptrbird

Hey mike I noticed that you live in Monrovia which is pretty close to Pasadena. I have a preety good friend who's dad has a shop in Pasadena. If you want I can get you hooked up with him and I know he could fix the problem.

Wow, that would be great, man! Sorry, I didn't see this post before. Don't think I'm expecting any freebies, or anything, I just want to get this thing fixed by someone who knows what they're doing. Price is a factor, but getting it done right is the important thing. Yeah, dude, please let me know. Thanks, man!

Btw, I actually live in Arcadia now, two blocks from the Pasadena city limit.

*edit* Cool man - I didn't realize you are from Burbank.

[Mike75]

Originally Posted by mechhound

You don't say which engine you have, but I would quess the infamous 3.8. One thing that comes to mind is the cooing fan behind the radiator, is it kicking in? You said it only overheated once going cross-country from Georgia to California. When you are out on the road at highway speeds you virtually don't need a fan due to your speed forcing air through the radiator. Enough said, Good luck.

Right you are - it is the V-SUX! Yeah, the fan is kicking in, in fact, I've been told that it stays spinning too long after the car is cut off. Could this really be a problem?

Thanks for the response, btw.