Coolant Spill

Elvis · 07-02-2000, 01:59 PM

Recently I had a problem with a coolant leak and it turned out that the timing gear housing was badly pitted. I replaced the housing as well as the water pump which fixed the leak but I now have another problem. After driving for about 15-20 minutes I will lose a bunch of coolant out of the overflow - maybe half a gallon. I have tried two different radiator caps but the same thing happened. Any ideas?
E. '67 Coupe, 289

Rev · 07-02-2000, 03:59 PM

How hot is the engine running when this coolant loss occurs?

Rev

red · 07-03-2000, 04:53 PM

You are probably ok. I am guessing you just overfilled the radiator. When my car is cold you can not see any coolent in the top tank of the radiator.

I just fill the radiator until I just see fluid. Then, I let it run with the cap off until the thermostat opens up. You will be able to see the fluid flow past the radiator cap opening. This lets out any trapped air. The put the cap on. It will likely puke some fluid out the overflow until it reaches equilibrium. Then your full. The water/coolent mixture expands a lot when it gets hot.

-JON

Rev · 07-03-2000, 06:18 PM

My advice is to get an overflow catch tank. Pep Boys has these for $10-$15, and are easy to install. All dragstrips reqire them. They are standard equipment on all cars '70's and later. my $.02.

Rev

Elvis · 07-04-2000, 10:44 AM

Thanx for the replies. I think Red was right. I also replaced the thermostat just to be sure. I idled the car with the radiator cap off. When the thermostat opened it burped a bunch of coolant out so I think there was a lot of air in the system. I just took it for a long drive and so far everything is great. E.

07-02-2000, 01:59 PM	#1
Elvis Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Sherman, Texas Posts: 188	Coolant Spill Recently I had a problem with a coolant leak and it turned out that the timing gear housing was badly pitted. I replaced the housing as well as the water pump which fixed the leak but I now have another problem. After driving for about 15-20 minutes I will lose a bunch of coolant out of the overflow - maybe half a gallon. I have tried two different radiator caps but the same thing happened. Any ideas? E. '67 Coupe, 289

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07-02-2000, 03:59 PM	#2
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	How hot is the engine running when this coolant loss occurs? Rev

07-03-2000, 04:53 PM	#3
red Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Millburn, NJ Posts: 310	You are probably ok. I am guessing you just overfilled the radiator. When my car is cold you can not see any coolent in the top tank of the radiator. I just fill the radiator until I just see fluid. Then, I let it run with the cap off until the thermostat opens up. You will be able to see the fluid flow past the radiator cap opening. This lets out any trapped air. The put the cap on. It will likely puke some fluid out the overflow until it reaches equilibrium. Then your full. The water/coolent mixture expands a lot when it gets hot. -JON

07-03-2000, 06:18 PM	#4
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	My advice is to get an overflow catch tank. Pep Boys has these for $10-$15, and are easy to install. All dragstrips reqire them. They are standard equipment on all cars '70's and later. my $.02. Rev

07-04-2000, 10:44 AM	#5
Elvis Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Sherman, Texas Posts: 188	Thanx for the replies. I think Red was right. I also replaced the thermostat just to be sure. I idled the car with the radiator cap off. When the thermostat opened it burped a bunch of coolant out so I think there was a lot of air in the system. I just took it for a long drive and so far everything is great. E.