What am I doing wrong?????

mimicons · 11-09-2002, 10:02 PM

I just replaced my thermostat to a 180 degree, and I am having trouble with the coolant. I'm refilling the radiator (I completely drained the system to install the thermostat), but I can only put 8 quarts total in (1/2 water, 1/2 anti-freeze). The capacity is 14.1, and I realize that some remains in the engine, but I should be able to put about 12 total in. I let the engine run with the heater on for about 10 minutes, and the level in the radiator never dropped, so I can't put any more fluid in.

Am I missing something here? Any assistance will be greatly appreciated......Thanks in advance!

Mike

andy669 · 11-09-2002, 11:54 PM

You need to let it run long enough to let the thermostat open up. Leaving the heater running will act as another radiator and keep the coolant cool.

Andy

jim_howard_pdx · 11-10-2002, 12:20 AM

Fill it as far as you can on the radiator, then start her up and let her idle until the engine reaches operating temp. Then shut her down, watch the reservoir to see if a bunch of steam comes out as she cools a bit, then fill the resevoir to the very top. Next morning she should have sucked in most of the resevoir. Just pull the cap, fill it, set the resevoir at normal and drive another day.

You may need to refill the resevoir one more time as more air is expelled by the engine. On my motor, I have an air vent plug that I use to fill the engine cooling passages to full. Then I just pull it the next day when it is cool and re-top the coolant. This gets all the steam out of the engine.

Hope this helps.

MEDIK418 · 11-10-2002, 12:52 AM

I started drilling a VERRY small hole in the flange area of my thermostats for this very thing. It allows the air to "burp" out the top and cuts a lot of fill time.

lx5091 · 11-10-2002, 01:29 AM

so why are you using a 50/50 mix anyway?

jim_howard_pdx · 11-10-2002, 01:55 AM

I think a 30/70 mix is good for warm weather, 40/60 is good for cold climates and 50/50 is good for the North Pole.

I am going to experiment with redline 15% coolant and 85% water next week. They claim it will reduce temperatures by 10-20 degrees. HA we will see!

mimicons · 11-10-2002, 09:59 AM

Thanks for the feedback...I'm going to reduce the mix to 30/70 and since it has been overnight, I'm going to check the level again, and then get it to running temp again, and re-check.

I'll post again with the results. Thanks again

Mike.

mimicons · 11-10-2002, 10:15 AM

I forgot to mention that the aluminum catch can does not have any venting at all that I can see. Would drilling a small hole in the top of the resevoir help? It seems to make sense, so that the air can vent off.

PKRWUD · 11-10-2002, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MEDIK418
I started drilling a VERRY small hole in the flange area of my thermostats for this very thing. It allows the air to "burp" out the top and cuts a lot of fill time.

Or you could just buy your next one from Ford. The OEM t-stats come with a tiny hole for that very reason. They're also the most accurate.

Take care,
~Chris

MEDIK418 · 11-10-2002, 02:05 PM

Actually, the Ford t-stats gave me the idea. Ford house=58 miles away, Autozone=12 miles away.

PKRWUD · 11-10-2002, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MEDIK418
Actually, the Ford t-stats gave me the idea. Ford house=58 miles away, Autozone=12 miles away.

I see. Texas math. lol. Makes perfect sense! I'm glad someone else actually pays attention to the little details like that. You are wise, Grasshopper.

Take care,
~Chris

11-09-2002, 10:02 PM	#1
mimicons Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Atlanta Area, USA Posts: 42	What am I doing wrong????? I just replaced my thermostat to a 180 degree, and I am having trouble with the coolant. I'm refilling the radiator (I completely drained the system to install the thermostat), but I can only put 8 quarts total in (1/2 water, 1/2 anti-freeze). The capacity is 14.1, and I realize that some remains in the engine, but I should be able to put about 12 total in. I let the engine run with the heater on for about 10 minutes, and the level in the radiator never dropped, so I can't put any more fluid in. Am I missing something here? Any assistance will be greatly appreciated......Thanks in advance! Mike

11-09-2002, 11:54 PM	#2
andy669 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Moline Il Posts: 901	You need to let it run long enough to let the thermostat open up. Leaving the heater running will act as another radiator and keep the coolant cool. Andy __________________ 88 coupe 91 LX NMRA Pure Street 5120

11-10-2002, 12:20 AM	#3
jim_howard_pdx Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 247	Fill it as far as you can on the radiator, then start her up and let her idle until the engine reaches operating temp. Then shut her down, watch the reservoir to see if a bunch of steam comes out as she cools a bit, then fill the resevoir to the very top. Next morning she should have sucked in most of the resevoir. Just pull the cap, fill it, set the resevoir at normal and drive another day. You may need to refill the resevoir one more time as more air is expelled by the engine. On my motor, I have an air vent plug that I use to fill the engine cooling passages to full. Then I just pull it the next day when it is cool and re-top the coolant. This gets all the steam out of the engine. Hope this helps. __________________ 1966 Customized for daily street and highway domination. 358 Windsor running 425 HP C-4 Auto and 3.25 Posi

11-10-2002, 12:52 AM	#4
MEDIK418 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Amarillo, Texas, USA Posts: 780	I started drilling a VERRY small hole in the flange area of my thermostats for this very thing. It allows the air to "burp" out the top and cuts a lot of fill time. __________________ 1986 four-eyed LX coupe, 358 Cleveland, Tremec TKO600/centerforce clutch, dish cut Probe forged pistons, comp cams hyd.roller cam, .579/.588@224/230, Edel.performer, 670 holley street avenger, CPR custom built long tubes, ported and polished 4bbl heads, manley valves, beehive springs, MSD peo-billet dist/MSD6AL, fluidamper, 5 lug conv. with 17x8 bullits there's more but it's still not finished yet. Oh, and the oldest boy is turning his 89 GT into a FFR cobra this next summer.

11-10-2002, 01:29 AM	#5
lx5091 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fall River, MA Posts: 467	so why are you using a 50/50 mix anyway? __________________ '02 Explorer XLT 4.0L --Nice Vehicle '97 Saturn SL1--Soon to be ditched for a Ford!

11-10-2002, 01:55 AM	#6
jim_howard_pdx Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 247	I think a 30/70 mix is good for warm weather, 40/60 is good for cold climates and 50/50 is good for the North Pole. I am going to experiment with redline 15% coolant and 85% water next week. They claim it will reduce temperatures by 10-20 degrees. HA we will see! __________________ 1966 Customized for daily street and highway domination. 358 Windsor running 425 HP C-4 Auto and 3.25 Posi

11-10-2002, 09:59 AM	#7
mimicons Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Atlanta Area, USA Posts: 42	50/50 mix Thanks for the feedback...I'm going to reduce the mix to 30/70 and since it has been overnight, I'm going to check the level again, and then get it to running temp again, and re-check. I'll post again with the results. Thanks again Mike.

11-10-2002, 10:15 AM	#8
mimicons Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Atlanta Area, USA Posts: 42	aluminum catch can I forgot to mention that the aluminum catch can does not have any venting at all that I can see. Would drilling a small hole in the top of the resevoir help? It seems to make sense, so that the air can vent off.

11-10-2002, 02:05 PM	#10
MEDIK418 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Amarillo, Texas, USA Posts: 780	Actually, the Ford t-stats gave me the idea. Ford house=58 miles away, Autozone=12 miles away. __________________ 1986 four-eyed LX coupe, 358 Cleveland, Tremec TKO600/centerforce clutch, dish cut Probe forged pistons, comp cams hyd.roller cam, .579/.588@224/230, Edel.performer, 670 holley street avenger, CPR custom built long tubes, ported and polished 4bbl heads, manley valves, beehive springs, MSD peo-billet dist/MSD6AL, fluidamper, 5 lug conv. with 17x8 bullits there's more but it's still not finished yet. Oh, and the oldest boy is turning his 89 GT into a FFR cobra this next summer.

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