Cooling Help, overflows

[scottthomp]

I recently installed a 4 row radiator on my 289. It gets hot but doesnt overheat. I have noticed that it overflows the radiator everytime i drive it. I just have a line going to under the car so it dumps on the ground. Is there supposed to be a tank that is pressurized?

What is weird is that i will have it running for a while and then shut it off and after a few minutes i can hear what sounds like a loud gurgle in the radiator and thats when the fluid seems to come out also. Im sick of refilling it everytime i drive it. There are no leaks and everything is new on it.

thanks

 

[latamud]

get an overflow tank

 

[scottthomp]

should the tank be pressurized or vented lid type? I ask because i had a brand new 3 row in there and after about 5 miles with my last tank it sprung a leak in the radiator, could have been a coincidence though.

 

[10secgoal]

Sounds like an old cap. You would ideally like a 16lbs cap. And yes, get an over flow. t will go in the overflow, and when she cools down after you drive, it will suck the water back into the rad.

 

[84convertablegt]

definately get a 16lb. cap with a new radiator. the 13lb one wont hold nearly as well. the problem with a downflow radiator is that the really hot water returning from the engine enters at the top of the radiator right where the cap is, which increases the boilover potential, unlike a crossflow radiator where the water around the cap has usually been through the radiator already. the 16lb cap will increase the boiling point of the water, minimizing the chance of it overflowing. also, i got a recirc. can to catch and recycle the flow.

 

[MustangMatt1966]

yea, i had the same problem as you did...i went to autozone and they had a universal catch can, installed it in about 10 mins and it has worked great ever since

 

[ForceFed70]

It's normal for some coolent to come out the top. The coolent expands as temperature increases.

Install a coolent overflow tank. That's what they are made for. Or just leave some empty space in the radiator. Then it only vents air.

Getting a higher pressure cap won't do much for this sort of thing. Higher pressure caps only help if your spilling your coolent because it's boiling over.

 

[notny41]

Fill with mostly antifreeze and less water mix. That will raise the boiling point of the coolant.

 

[iskwezm]

Fill with mostly antifreeze and less water mix. That will raise the boiling point of the coolant.

it will raise the boiling point,but wont cool as effectivly.

Water dissipates or transfers better,coolant just lubricates and has anti corrosive properties,too much is not a good thing.

 

[ForceFed70]

Either way, boiling coolent isn't his problem.

 

[notny41]

I would think a gurgling sound in the radiator after shutting the car off would be boiling coolant.

 

[iskwezm]

I would think a gurgling sound in the radiator after shutting the car off would be boiling coolant.

true,but sometimes(not in this case) it could be a air pocket.

 

[scottthomp]

yes more like an air pocket, its one big loud gurgle and then its over, and it starts leaking.

 

[grego37]

Fill with mostly antifreeze and less water mix. That will raise the boiling point of the coolant.

I'd never run more than 50% anti-freeze/coolant.

Correct, anti-freeze/coolant is used mainly for lubrication and keeping your water from freezing.

Since I dont live where it gets under 40*, I dont use anti-freeze. I use 100% distilled water, anti corrosion additive, and 1 bottle of water wetter. water is the best coolant

 

[notny41]

Sounds like the overflow resivoir is the best solution here. Doesn't sound like he is overheating at all.

 

[krash kendall]

If you drive it hard for a brief moment does it overflow much quicker, even when it doesn't seem that it is getting hot? Is the coolant "frothy" when it overflows? Mine is doing that right now and I suspect a blown head gasket.

 

[scottthomp]

yes the coolant is frothy, if i drive it hard for a short period it gets hot, but the coolant that comes out is not too hot cuz i can touch it. yet the upper and lower radiator hoses are very hot.

 

[iskwezm]

yes the coolant is frothy, if i drive it hard for a short period it gets hot, but the coolant that comes out is not too hot cuz i can touch it. yet the upper and lower radiator hoses are very hot.

i wouldnt suspect a head gasket just yet,sometimes the water pump impellar can airate the water cuasing cavitation and make bubbles.

 

[ForceFed70]

Here's a really cool trick an old-timer taught me.

Disclaimer! I've never had the chance to try it yet, so I don't know if it works. But I can't see why not!

Basically I was told to wait until the engine is cold, then pull off the radiator cap. Place a balloon (condom may work better) over the filler. Slide the balloon over the vent spout or block the vent hose/spout.

Now start the engine and let it idle for a couple of minutes. If you see the balloon inflate then you have a head gasket leak. Keep in mind, that the balloon will inflate as the coolent gets hot even if there is no headgasket leak. So the idea is to only run this test until the coolent starts to get warm.

 

[notny41]

Maybe even try the XL's for that one, huh? Plus you'll look cool going through the line at Walgreens with those!