thermostat?

4.6litrebeater · Aug 29, 2004

i need a new one, would a 160 degree be too much? also how would i go about flushing the coolant system to try and remove air pockets?

Dark Knight GT · Aug 29, 2004

A 160 degree thermostat would probably be too cool for a vehicle that sees cold weather driving. If you drive your car during all the seasons, a 180* thermostat would probably be best. You will need to get the computer programed for the fan to switch on sooner though with the new thermostat.

As for flushing the system, Prestone makes something called "Coolant flush" which you can use. You can buy it at most of any auto parts store. As for removing air pockets, you're going to get them. Just drive the car normally after adding the new coolant and then check the car when its cool. Once the air pressure is released, if it needs more coolant, simply add it as needed.

white99gt · Aug 29, 2004

I wouldnt go below a 180* t stat.
As far as air pockets..Fill the car up as much as possible and let it idle with the heat on..Filling as needed..This should get most out..Then after getting it up to operating temps let it cool off and top the fluids off again..

4.6litrebeater · Aug 29, 2004

cool, anyway i was trying to flush the system today, with the engine running anmd the cap off it still overflows after about 10-15 minutes whats up with that, now i got a check engine light, ****

Dark Knight GT · Aug 29, 2004

You should never run the motor and leave the radiator cap off. Not a good idea. Remember, the "coolant" does exactly what it says. It "cools" the internals of the motor by absorbing the heat within itself. What happens when a liquid gets hot ? It builds up pressure and it has to move somewhere. If the cap is off, it will simply spew out the top. Thats why you should let it run, then, stop the motor, let it cool for a bit, then come back and SLOWLY remove the radiator cap and let the pressure leak out slowly. Then check your fluid level.

wickedgt70 · Aug 29, 2004

There is not much you can do to remove air pockets other than drive the car and fill as needed. It's more up to the designer of the engine and manifolds to eliminate air pockets.

Don't go below a 180* thermostat.

hobbes80 · Aug 29, 2004

Another vote for 180*... any lower and the coolant won't sit in the radiator long enough to cool down before the t-stat opens up again.

how-stuff-works has a great flash on it...
How Stuff Works -- Car Thermostat

4.6litrebeater · Aug 29, 2004

what do you think about the car blowing coolant out the radiator cap? its tight and new but it leaks out when the car gets warm, a **** load came out last time and splattered all over my driveway leaving it covered in coolant right when i got home. i thought the slow leak might be due to heat building up because of a bad thermo, but now im not so sure. i made a post about this a while back and i was told the over flow tank is bad, im not sure how that would happen??

hobbes80 · Aug 29, 2004

4.6litrebeater said:
what do you think about the car blowing coolant out the radiator cap? its tight and new but it leaks out when the car gets warm, a **** load came out last time and splattered all over my driveway leaving it covered in coolant right when i got home. i thought the slow leak might be due to heat building up because of a bad thermo, but now im not so sure. i made a post about this a while back and i was told the over flow tank is bad, im not sure how that would happen??

Get a new radiator cap. They are cheap. Autozone has them.... also, when you first fill it up, if there is "too much" then it blows off the extra. (someone correct me if I'm wrong)

4.6litrebeater · Aug 29, 2004

i did, it still does it, possibly defective?? my car sucks

hobbes80 · Aug 29, 2004

4.6litrebeater said:
i did, it still does it, possibly defective?? my car sucks

.. uhm..

hobbes80 said:
lso, when you first fill it up, if there is "too much" then it blows off the extra. (someone correct me if I'm wrong)

4.6litrebeater · Aug 29, 2004

but it doesnt just blow off the extra, itll slow leak, then after awhile itll spew out most of the overflow tank

hobbes80 · Aug 29, 2004

4.6litrebeater said:
but it doesnt just blow off the extra, itll slow leak, then after awhile itll spew out most of the overflow tank

Oh, why didn't you say so?
Check the connection at the bottom of the radiator and see if it's leaking from there instead of from the cap, for some reason that hose leaks more often.... though if it's spewing out of the overflow tank, it sounds like there is just too much in there... I mean, that's what its there for... to overflow if it's too full.

I think someone was having an issue where the top piece of the radiator cracked and was having a leak by the cap... don't remember the details. Maybe one of the other experts will chime in with more wisdom than I have.

thermostat?

4.6litrebeater

New Member

Dark Knight GT

I can't get it up......ok that didn't sound right.

white99gt

4.6litrebeater

New Member

Dark Knight GT

I can't get it up......ok that didn't sound right.

wickedgt70

New Member

hobbes80

4.6litrebeater

New Member

hobbes80

4.6litrebeater

New Member

hobbes80

4.6litrebeater

New Member

hobbes80

Similar threads

thermostat?

New Member

I can't get it up......ok that didn't sound right.

New Member

I can't get it up......ok that didn't sound right.

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency