M50NV swap overheating

[shiboujin]

Background:
M50B25NV boosted (shouldn't be the prob tho)
M20 clutch and fan (no other fan)
Regular M20 radiator

I added coolant to my car and let it get to temp. The bottom radiator hose is cold and the top is hot. The car got to 209F before I shut it off. This is the second new thermostat I have installed. I made sure the bleed dot was at the top like the manual says.

I can tell there is still some air in the system because I can squeeze the bottom hose and hear the bubbles slosh around. Maybe I should just tap a hole in the top of the thermostat housing and shove a bolt in it like the M20?

I don't want to drain the coolant AGAIN! It'll be the 8th time (don't ask)

[e30s52]

Boosted cars have alot more heat to dissapate then non-fi cars. You need to get all the air out of system and get a better radiator.

[shiboujin]

I know. I plan to upgrade the cooling system eventually but how do i get the air out without tapping the thermostat?

[e30s52]

You need a diffrent radiator but I guess if you dont want to get a new one just tap the the thermostat. I think its the easyest way.

[shiboujin]

I don't get why it won't bleed with this radiator. It doesn't make much sense. What radiator should I get?

[StereoInstaller1]

The M42 cars have a radiator with an integrated coolant recovery tank.

The bleeder is right by the cap, on the top of the radiator.

That is why I have one sitting, waiting for the swappz.

[e30s52]

I would say an after market one from zionville or e36 m3 one.

[lifeiskaos]

come on yoshi get an electric fan with a low temp switch! should solve your problems... m20 radiator is certainly up for the task

[416stroker]

Your clutch good? How many turns does it make after you turn it off? Um it should bleed pretty easy.

[shiboujin]

Your clutch good? How many turns does it make after you turn it off? Um it should bleed pretty easy.

Clutch is new. How many turns? I dunno... a few?

I don't think the radiator is the problem here since the lower hose is stone cold and I can hear the air bubbles. Somehow, my system isn't getting bled when from all my reading, it should self bleed. I think the not being bled thing is keeping the T-stat from opening. Fuck it, I'm going to drill into my thermostat housing. Go M20 style

[hugh jass]

have you parked it nose up on an incline, taking the reservoir cap off, and revved up the motor for a couple of minutes? thats they way i've read most people bleeding their swap cars.
where did you read it should be self bleeding? that is definitely not the case.

[PiercedE30]

Easy way?
Open the expansion tank. Squeeze upper radiator hose and hold it. Put your finger over the little hole in the expansion tank neck. Keep your finger over the hole and release the upper radiator hose. The coolant level in the tank should move down and you should have seen water/bubbles come out of the hole when you squeezed the radiator tank. Repeat this process until the coolant level no longer falls when you release the radiator hose.
That's the way that I have always done it.

[shiboujin]

have you parked it nose up on an incline, taking the reservoir cap off, and revved up the motor for a couple of minutes? thats they way i've read most people bleeding their swap cars.
where did you read it should be self bleeding? that is definitely not the case.

Didn't rev it much but it was def nose up. I'll keep that in mind when doing it again.

Easy way?
Open the expansion tank. Squeeze upper radiator hose and hold it. Put your finger over the little hole in the expansion tank neck. Keep your finger over the hole and release the upper radiator hose. The coolant level in the tank should move down and you should have seen water/bubbles come out of the hole when you squeezed the radiator tank. Repeat this process until the coolant level no longer falls when you release the radiator hose.
That's the way that I have always done it.

Dude that sounds great! I'll have to try that sometime today.

[PiercedE30]

Yea, great thing about doing it that way, no need to have the motor running. Works like a charm. I've done it on anything from an E24 up through E46's.

[shiboujin]

It took a while but I think I got most of the air out. I'll try again tomorrow after running the car for a bit. Thanks man!