Cooling system acting very strange

[billybobjoseph]

I don't think it would matter. If you are sure you bled the system correctly ( open up the little bolt on the thermostat housing and squeeze that upper radiator hose like crazy) you may have a more serious problem. Stereo Installer's advice is sound; you should have someone pressure test your cooling system to make sure you don't have a problem with your head gasket.

[lolcantturn]

I don't think it would matter. If you are sure you bled the system correctly ( open up the little bolt on the thermostat housing and squeeze that upper radiator hose like crazy) you may have a more serious problem. Stereo Installer's advice is sound; you should have someone pressure test your cooling system to make sure you don't have a problem with your head gasket.

had it tested for exhaust gasses in the coolant, and my compression numbers are all 160psi. no HG failure here

[billybobjoseph]

That's good news !!!

[lolcantturn]

That's good news !!!

That's both good and bad! I wish I knew conclusively what the problem was...at least if it was the HG I would have had that thing swapped out in 2 hours!

[billybobjoseph]

Well it sounds like everything else is good to go, maybe your auxilary fan or auxilary fan switch is failing. It's supposed to kick on before or around the time your temp gauge hits 3/4.

[SilentJon]

i've never had much luck with 100% water

[lolcantturn]

i've never had much luck with 100% water

So you think if I changed it over to coolant, the results should differ?

[gp.plus]

Water alone poses its own problems, but that has no effect on your problem. Just run water till you figure it out, then drain and add coolant.

[TimKninja]

Water boils.
Change too 50/50.
????
PROFIT

SRSLY LOPEZ

[gp.plus]

Many people run straight water w/ water wetter, in race cars. Matter of fact you aren't allowed to run anything but in a motorcycle when on a track. Straight tap water can leave deposits in your cooling system over time (distilled water is best) and straight water will not work in freezing temps. Your engine should not be reaching temps that will boil water.

[lolcantturn]

Water alone poses its own problems, but that has no effect on your problem. Just run water till you figure it out, then drain and add coolant.

Water boils.
Change too 50/50.
????
PROFIT

SRSLY LOPEZ

Many people run straight water w/ water wetter, in race cars. Matter of fact you aren't allowed to run anything but in a motorcycle when on a track. Straight tap water can leave deposits in your cooling system over time (distilled water is best) and straight water will not work in freezing temps. Your engine should not be reaching temps that will boil water.

What I thought is that my water is boiling, but that's not likely because the cooling system is supposed to run at 180*F, water doesn't boil at that temperature.

When I put real coolant today however, my car is acting completely different. There is no steam exiting the bleed screw anymore, just coolant and it's bubbles.
My system isn't NEARLY as pressurized as it once was. I can open up the coolant cap just fine without it fountaining.
My car is still overheating...well, it's 2mm too far from the mid point, I hope that's due to inadequate bleeding, as I ran out of coolant and I gotta run to the store (I only put a gallon in).

Very very strange..

[lolcantturn]

Put more good coolant (not water) in it, reved to 5K for a couple of seconds, opened the bleed screw, waited, and repeated. Refilled coolant, then repeated the process again. Lots of air bubbles, but it's mostly calmed down now.

Car runs good now. It lingers between the quarter and the halfway mark when I'm driving. When I let it idle for 10mins, it rose, but it didn't really touch the halfway mark at all. Heat is F'ing hot too.




Why would water cause this though...not really understanding.

[billybobjoseph]

That is weird, now I want to try it with mine. Just too cheap to buy more coolant after I do.

[gp.plus]

I'm still not buying that water was the problem. Good that its running right though.