Overheating...

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. :eek:

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.

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!

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

Have you bled the air out of the cooling system?

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.

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!). :banghead:

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!

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

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

As long as the fan spins at the proper speed and time while the engine is running and the blades are in good shape, it shouldn't be a problem. Why it spins after the engine is shut off I'm not sure. I know there are certain things on some vehicles to cool after the engine is shut off. In my original posting I thought if the fan wasn't operating in stop and go city traffic, that would be a real problem because you will get very little cooling action in such conditions with no air sucked through the radiator. I should have made myself clear. Good luck getting it straightened out.

Thanks dude. ;)

The fan is controlled by a thermostatic switch. It will continue to run until a certain temperature is reached. The temperature can increase after you shut the engine off which will turn the fan back on. That's why labels tell you not to stick your hand near the fan!

Mike sorry it took so long to get back to you but I have the number if you want to get ahold of my Buddy's dad. His name is Kevin his shop phone number is (626) 799-2878. Hes a good guy and will treat you well. Ill send you a PM with the more personal information.

Np at all, man. Perfect timing! I PM'd you back, btw.

Thanks again!

Dude, what kind of beer does your friend's dad drink? I want to buy him a case. Find out for me, would you? Thanks a LOT, dude - you totally hooked me up. Hell, I owe you some brew, too. :iceslolan

p.s. I'm not kidding. What kind of beer do I need to get? I'm going to drop it off at his shop.

Hey Mike he drinks Bud. How did it go? how much did he quote you and everything? I want details man! haha

Well, he said that he didn't have time to actually look at my car at the moment, since he does all of his work himself - and was about 2 days behind as it was. He did agree that it sounded like an ignition problem, and swore that it sounded like it was my plugs and wires (even tho I had just replaced them less than a year ago). So I replaced them, and those plugs were in terrible shape! He also told me that I should stick with the motorcraft plugs, and that he even uses them in his Chevys. I had to get them from the dealership, but that was fine. So anyways, my car has been doing great ever since. Where is his shop at so I can drop off the goods? :iceslolan Also, what do you drink- you are over 21 right? :p I don't want him looking at me funny for giving beer to a 10 year old - hehe, just kidding. Anyhow, let me know so I can do this - and don't tell him if you havent already. I think it would make a nice surprise when your working and someone shows up to drop off some brew - wish that would happen to me sometime! Alright dude. PM me, or let me know in here. And thanks again for the hookup!

I told you that a week and a half ago in your other thread. "Check your plugs to be sure they aren't fouled. The ones in the cylinders with the bad head gasket will probably look pretty bad. If they do, replace them and see if that helps at all." Where's my brew?!

I told you that a week and a half ago in your other thread. "Check your plugs to be sure they aren't fouled. The ones in the cylinders with the bad head gasket will probably look pretty bad. If they do, replace them and see if that helps at all." Where's my brew?!
Dude, I DID remember you saying that when interceptor's friend told me that. I'm so sorry man - I wanted to address that in my post last night, and forgot. You live here in LA? I'll gladly buy you a case, man. I know you said it first, and I apologize. I could have fixed it then and there, but I didn't think they would have gotten fouled up so bad so fast. But, due to the head gasket issue (I know, I know - you're right again) they did. Anyhow, I was going to type my apology to you in another thread, but here it is - I'M SORRY MAN! :banghead: It wasn't that I was doubting you - I have no idea why I forgot to check the plugs. But once he said it, I remembered you saying it, and knew that if it worked, I owed you an apology. Bleh, my bad man. Thanks a lot - I'm sorry I wasn't listening! :shakehead

I was just harassing you! No harm done. I hope your Bird lasts long enough for you to get the head gaskets fixed. Good luck! ;) If it would make you feel better, send a donation to the American Cancer Society instead of the beer because I live on the East Coast.