Another Cooling Problem

[Malevolyn]

This is what happens: When I first start driving the car, it heats up normally. After a little while (about 2 miles), the temp climbs way up, up into the A and L area, but so far the car hasn't gotten out of normal. But after a while of driving, it'll drop back down into the R and M area. Sometimes it goes back up under acceleration (any accel, period) but will drop back down while cruising.

I've got a leak somewhere, I'm fairly sure, but I haven't pressure checked, yet, so I'll do that first. But does anyone know anything specific that could cause a weird cooling problem like that? Time of day doesn't change much, either. It's only slightly cooler when driving at night than it is driving in the afternoon. Not even a half-letter difference but enough to be noticeable.

Also, anyone know an easy way to get this damn upper radiator hose off?

 

[sgarlic]

Sounds to me like you've got some air in the system. Have you tried burping it?

My second thought was maybe your temperature sensor is bad.. the way I read your description is that the needle sort of bounces around between the higher and middle ranges.. if it's doing it quickly, I still vote air in system, or temp sensor.

 

[Malevolyn]

Yeah, my dad said I should bleed it after i flush/seal it. I'm pretty sure the temp sensor is good. I've never bled a cooling system before, how would I go about doing it?

 

[Mike97gt]

you have to bleed your cooling system.. best way to do it without a vacumm bleeder is to run the heat on high out the dash vents ( just so you can feel if you have steady heat) and bring the rpm's up a little 1200-1500 is good.. and then add coolant as needed... If you do this with the cap off the cooling system you will have some coolant flow out of the bottle.. don't worry this is normal.. if you do this with the cap on be very very carefull not to burn yourself.

 

[Malevolyn]

Hmm, but I don't have a compressor, so that way is pretty much out. I think I have it worked out, though, because I was putting in some flush, ran the car until it heated up, squeezes the upper hose a few times and suddenly the contents of the overflow bottle was sucked into the radiator.

 

[Mike97gt]

Hmm, but I don't have a compressor, so that way is pretty much out. I think I have it worked out, though, because I was putting in some flush, ran the car until it heated up, squeezes the upper hose a few times and suddenly the contents of the overflow bottle was sucked into the radiator.

there you go sounds like you are getting some of the air.. be carefull removing the cap when it's hot... I turn it a tiny bit let the presure relase then slowly open it.