Coolant System Issues: Advice Needed

[edubs]

So, just recently put the motor back in my car and I am having issues with the coolant system. At first I get it bled just fine, heat worked and even took it on some decent length trips (2.5hrs). Worked just fine and kept itself in the low 180's...

Recently, I started noticing that it was taking a while to warm up, would stay at one temperature (ie: 113deg) for quite some time and then all of the sudden jump up 20-30 degrees. It would also start to get too hot and then be able to lower the temp more. I would sit at a light and it would lower itself to the mid 190's and then I'd start to drive and it would go into the the 200's and start climbing. Last week, I had to drive between campuses (10 miles-ish) and it started to really overheat and wouldn't drop. Also, the heat wasn't working. Pulled over and let it cool off and had to drive in increments to get it home.

So, I buy a new thermostat and change that out tonight. Take it for a drive to try and bleed the system. Heat still isn't working and it's still overheating. The only other symptom that I'm dealing with is that the coolant would drop low enough to where the sensor would warn me. I can loosen up the cap and it would bubble up and raise the level back up.

Anyone have any ideas?

[qwikredline]

air locked system. vacuum filling eliminates that and permits a leak check as thats how it works - create a vacuum hold it then use the vacumm to draw coolant in. the tool is about 70-80 bucks made in Penna; howwever to be morbid about it, you may have other issues....with your motor. Internet diagnosis.....

[Iam Broke]

I had an old Sunbird 1.8l that acted like that with a blown head gasket. Hope that isn't your issue, but a vac/pressure check is in order. If you have a vac hand pump you could rig it onto the coolant res fitting on the top of the engine and see if it will hold a few inches of vac anyway. Weird that it was ok for a while after assembly.

[edubs]

air locked system. vacuum filling eliminates that and permits a leak check as thats how it works - create a vacuum hold it then use the vacumm to draw coolant in. the tool is about 70-80 bucks made in Penna; howwever to be morbid about it, you may have other issues....with your motor. Internet diagnosis.....

I had an old Sunbird 1.8l that acted like that with a blown head gasket. Hope that isn't your issue, but a vac/pressure check is in order. If you have a vac hand pump you could rig it onto the coolant res fitting on the top of the engine and see if it will hold a few inches of vac anyway. Weird that it was ok for a while after assembly.

I will stop by a friends shop in the next day or two and hook up some vacuum to that system. I'm also going to do a leak-down test, just to see. It has been leaking just a bit, so I'm also going to check the heater core...

[qwikredline]

let us know how it works 4 the lernz

[Iam Broke]

Any update edubs?

[Jazer]

I was going to say to do a compression check to rule out h/g.

Also, if there is an airbubble in there, you can burb the system additionally by jacking up the side of the car where the coolant reservoir is, just a bit to help, and run the engine with the cap off.

[edubs]

Pressurized the system for 20 minutes and came back, there was coolant dripping from the block/bellhousing. I'm still convinced that there's a leak between the thermostat and oil cooler. Replaced one of the lines due to dry rot when I installed the motor and didn't see anything wrong with the other, but it probably has a tear in it and is leaking down on the top of the trans. I won't have time to look it over more until Monday/Tuesday. I'm just going to rip the fuse block out and play around with those lines to see what's going on. I'll do a leak-down on Monday/Tuesday, but I'm not really concerned about the H/G at this point. A decent leak explains all symptoms...

[edubs]

Well. Here's the update in the most round-about way...

Over the last month and a half I have packed up all my belongings and moved down to FL w/ my car in tow. During that time, I confirmed 80* leakage on all cylinders. Had a friend help me out that has more time than me. Head was twisted and wavy, lol. Too boot, it wasn't pulling any vacuum. Needless to say, the machine shop that I first had work on my motor just threw the head in a bath and bolted it back on w/o checking a damn thing. This time, I took it to a machine shop that gives a damn and had them straighten, mill and do a valve job. Got the head back on just in time to push it onto the trailer behind my 26' Penske. Arrived in FL Tuesday afternoon and today finally had a chance to look at it. Dropped the old oil, checked the plugs, fresh oil in, coolant in, new battery and started it. Everything seems copacetic. Still need to get my hands on HPT Pro so I can finish working on the tune w/ my tuner and whatnot, but it's safe for out of boost for right now. Gonna put another 500 on it and switch back to synthetic. Hopefully by that point I will have a new HPT cable and e-boost controller ready to go...

It's been a crazy couple of months, so I am sure I am forgetting something. Just figured I would update everyone for the historical reference based on symptoms...

[BLAZIN07SS]

glad you got it figured out. where are you at in florida?

[edubs]

Bradenton...

[stonny9]

there are a few knowledgeable/helpful members up in that area some even tune with hpt

[BLAZIN07SS]

Bradenton...

you actually missed a dyno/tuning day with mdub in orlando today

[qwikredline]

wow did you get your car tuned by Mdub Josh?. *wondering...*

[BLAZIN07SS]

No. I tune my own car

[qwikredline]

orly. ? did not know that

[edubs]

you actually missed a dyno/tuning day with mdub in orlando today

Yeah, I don't need a tuner, just need to get my hands on MVPI Pro...

If anyone knows someone selling a pri cable, let me know.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[BLAZIN07SS]

well i meant that in more of a meet all the central florida locals kind of way

[edubs]

well i meant that in more of a meet all the central florida locals kind of way

I'm too embarrassed by my car to meet up with people yet. Once I get the tune sorted out, I'll have time to clean it up. Then, I can meet people...

[USMCFieldMP]

Meh... I went to a Cincinnati meet in 2009 in my 94 Jetta that was spray painted OD Green. Cobalt was still in the garage with me putting the finishing touches on the Turbo Swap. Who cares what your car looks like.