filling coolant, what am i doing wrong? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

MorganS13 · 05-13-2003, 10:35 PM

I just replaced a leaking waterpump this past week and just got around to filling it back up with coolant/distilled water today. I was planning on flushing my coolant but due to lack of time and not being able to get the damn drain plug out of the radiator and not being able to find the drain plug on the block, i'd be just as happy with the car being driveable. keep in mind that my radiator still had/has all its original coolant in it, the block was empty since i had the water pump out (obviously).
i started out by funneling a mixture of 50/50 coolant/water into the overflow resevior and radiator until they were full. then i turned the heater to hot and started the car. it took quite a while, but eventually the coolant started getting circulated and i kept adding more coolant as needed until it all seemed settled. i then drove it up the street and back and noticed the temp guage rising so i turned right around and checked and sure enough the overflow tank was empty now.. i filled that up again and kept topping off the radiator tank since it was getting circulated more and more. then, at random points the fluid would start bubbling and "puking" out of the radiator (can't think of a better metaphor right now). this happened randomly about 3 times and each time the coolant level would get very low afterwards. i'm sure that these are just air bubbles, but the question is how can i get rid of them?? i've heard from some people that just letting the car cool down and repeating the procedure should help, and this makes sense since the cooler air will be more compressed and after sitting overnight should make its way to the top. i've also heard bouncing on the front of the car helps but its kind of hard with stiff Eibach's and AGX shocks. I should be really happy that theres no more leak though, i'm very close to taking it to the dealer to get my cooling system flushed, but i'd much rather save my $60. Any other suggestions or should i just wait it out till tommorow and see? Thanks

one step closer to going off a cliff..

05-13-2003, 10:35 PM	#1
MorganS13 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Midwest Posts: 707 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	filling coolant, what am i doing wrong? I just replaced a leaking waterpump this past week and just got around to filling it back up with coolant/distilled water today. I was planning on flushing my coolant but due to lack of time and not being able to get the damn drain plug out of the radiator and not being able to find the drain plug on the block, i'd be just as happy with the car being driveable. keep in mind that my radiator still had/has all its original coolant in it, the block was empty since i had the water pump out (obviously). i started out by funneling a mixture of 50/50 coolant/water into the overflow resevior and radiator until they were full. then i turned the heater to hot and started the car. it took quite a while, but eventually the coolant started getting circulated and i kept adding more coolant as needed until it all seemed settled. i then drove it up the street and back and noticed the temp guage rising so i turned right around and checked and sure enough the overflow tank was empty now.. i filled that up again and kept topping off the radiator tank since it was getting circulated more and more. then, at random points the fluid would start bubbling and "puking" out of the radiator (can't think of a better metaphor right now). this happened randomly about 3 times and each time the coolant level would get very low afterwards. i'm sure that these are just air bubbles, but the question is how can i get rid of them?? i've heard from some people that just letting the car cool down and repeating the procedure should help, and this makes sense since the cooler air will be more compressed and after sitting overnight should make its way to the top. i've also heard bouncing on the front of the car helps but its kind of hard with stiff Eibach's and AGX shocks. I should be really happy that theres no more leak though, i'm very close to taking it to the dealer to get my cooling system flushed, but i'd much rather save my $60. Any other suggestions or should i just wait it out till tommorow and see? Thanks one step closer to going off a cliff..