Air in cooling system

[fiyota]

Can air in my cooling system lead to a blown headgasket? I need to get it properly flushed tomorrow... My temp gauge looks like it's posessed (goes from extremely hot down to normal temp... then all of a sudden back up to hot)... that doesnt happen all the time but it does do it on occasion. And after I park it after driving it it gets really hot and the temp gauge goes to the red for a while.... I dont think it's a bhg, no coolant in the oil (no foamy coolant either...)... the last owner (had it for a month.. didnt know anything about cars...) just put straight antifreeze in the car, and just topped it off all the time (guessing that's how the air got trapped...) anyways... do I have anything to worry about if after I get it done right the issue stops? Could this be a BHG?

 

[supramacist]

It's not sounding like a bhg. Just drain the radiator and fill it properley. From empty to full and you should be alright.

 

[fiyota]

It's not sounding like a bhg. Just drain the radiator and fill it properley. From empty to full and you should be alright.

you think it just sounds like it was filled improperly? thats what I thought.. it's not leaking coolant anywhere, the only other thing I can think of is the rad cap letting air into the system.. but the car had been sitting for a week and nothing was leaking from it.

 

[MPF_Supra]

yeah that doesn't sound like it's a bhg problem, from what i can tell, if the temp. gauge reads HOT, probably either get a new thermastat, drain the old coolant, mix it 50/50 with half water and half straight coolant, start up your car with the radiator cap off, let it run for a while, let it bubble, and just keep refilling it if it needs to be refill, after a while it'll be a settle in and you'll be set to go. works for me everytime.

-meng

 

[fiyota]

I did that, for about 30 minutes parked ona big slope with my heater full blast... but the problem continued.. I think it might be my rad cap... or I just didnd to a very good job of burping it

 

[MPF_Supra]

I did that, for about 30 minutes parked ona big slope with my heater full blast... but the problem continued.. I think it might be my rad cap... or I just didnd to a very good job of burping it

there's only one way to really burp the system, if anything go to your local auto store and purchase a rad. cap like one---> i had that same problem one time on one of my previous supra, i ended up using my brother's rad. cap off his 98' tacoma and than it went away, so i just went and matched up one from the auto store and used that. has been good since.

-meng

 

[fiyota]

thats what I figured.. going to get all the fluids done on the car and the oils (just got it today)... so i'll get them to test my rad cap, and get me a new one if I need it.

 

[mrnickleye]

First...go here and read the thread on 'burbing the cooling system. http://www.supras.com/06/techcenter/display.php?QID=22

Second....have a BHG block test performed before spending ANY $$$ at the shop flushing and oil changes etc. Your symtoms are consistant with a BHG. Better to find out now.

3rd... the 13 lb factory cap works perfectly on a good system. They only cost $6 at any parts store. No need to test it, just get a new one.

The way air 'gets into' the system is from a BHG. These cars push combustion gasses into the cooling system when the gasket gets a tiny leak at the #6 cylinder. Mine did twice, and I've researched it out on all the forums. That is the usual spot.

Also....driving a car with air in the cooling system (even without a BHG) is very, very bad for the engine. The air will cause....general overheating, hot-spots, and quick corrosion. It will 'cavitate' (like blowing bubbles in milk with a straw) and this action cause the metal to be literally 'eaten away'.:evil2:

 

[johnathan1]

I hate to say this...but it kinda sounds like a BHG...get a new rad cap FROM THE DEALER!! They are much better than the auto store junk. Also, why did the previous owner have to keep filling the radiator...hmm...i wonder where that coolant's going...hmm...

 

[jetjock]

Good post mrnick. Concise, coherent, informative, and accurate. I never thought I'd ever see anyone mention cavitaion erosion on this forum

 

[fiyota]

Good post mrnick. Concise, coherent, informative, and accurate. I never thought I'd ever see anyone mention cavitaion erosion on this forum

ugh, please dont be a blown head gasket... It was done 40,000k ago (apparently it's a metal one, done at a very good shop)... I just bought the car, and dont have money to spend on getting it done... ugh.

 

[fiyota]

hmm...i wonder where that coolant's going...hmm...

Well after talking to a buddy of mine, I've kind of stopped worrying about it being a bhg... (no burning coolant int he engine, no steam or anything like that, no coolant in the oil)... although the thought of a bhg is in the back of my mind, I think it's my rad cap... not being able to take the pressure when the car is stopped and spewing the coolant right past the resevoir... it doesnt overheat when I'm driving it, only after stopping for about 10 minutes.. the only time it overheated when I was driving was when I heard a pop (probably the cap not being able to hold the pressure, I pushed the clutch in and let it idle because as soon as I did that it cooled right back down to normal temp)... but after I stop for a while with the car off it overheats and spews coolant into the res... so I'm guess it's a bad rad cap that cant take the pressure of the hot coolant when the car is stopped (and no cooling fan to keep the temp down)...


Does that sound about right to you guys? I dont have any other symptoms of a bhg... I'm going to burp my coolant system when I get a new rad cap and see if the problem is still there.. and if it is I will look into getting it checked for a bhg, which I doubt it is, and hope it isnt.

 

[supramacist]

The way I understood the gurggling was if you elevated the the front end of the car and drained and flushes and then refilled there was something about raising the front of the car that would cause it to burp it's self durin the refill.

 

[fiyota]

yup, new rad cap fixed my problem (I hope)... heard the rushing water sound twice... and the car didnt overheat when I parked it.. and the coolant in the resevoir was hot... before it was cold... hopefully problem is fixed!

 

[mrnickleye]

Jetjock.... 22 years ASE master, I've seen just about it all. I read several trade mags to keep up with all the new engines, and such.

As to 'burping', yes, you need to get the car raised up high. I raised mine till the tailpipe was almost touching the ground. This gets the top of the radiator (cap), higher than the heater core. This will allow trapped air to come to the cap opening and get out.:biglaugh:

Also...I've used this product to lower my temp by 8* with a 50/50 antifreeze mix.
http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/radiator_koolit.html

 

[jetjock]

I can see it in your advice. Lets face it, there are mechanics and there are mechanics, if you know what I mean. It's nice to see one who keeps abreast and has knowledge of science beyond the typical wrench. It's what separates the pros from the wannabes.

 

[suprabad]

. I never thought I'd ever see anyone mention cavitaion erosion on this forum

Why? Is it because you're so much smarter than the rest of us?

I hope our collective ignorance hasn't upset your delicate sensibilities.

 

[johnathan1]

Why? Is it because you're so much smarter than the rest of us?

I hope our collective ignorance hasn't upset your delicate sensibilities.

Ruh Roh...

 

[Joel W.]

Ruh Roh...

:yelrotflm<Offers Johnathan some popcorn>

 

[Nick M]

Why? Is it because you're so much smarter than the rest of us?

I hope our collective ignorance hasn't upset your delicate sensibilities.

How about those that think they know it all don't even know what cavitation is. I said that a couple years back, pre-hack, or whatever happened here, and several diapers challenged what cavitation is. So maybe that is why he said it.