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..

MorganS13 · 05-13-2003, 10:49 PM

hmm.... found these instructions on another site, guess its worth a try but is there anything else he's forgetting?:

"The bleeder is located on the coolant outlet of the motor(where the upper radiator hose connects). It looks like a 12mm(possibly 10mm) bolt. It won't have anything attached to it. Its just a bolt sitting on top of the upper outlet. \

Make sure you get all the air out by filling it til coolant comes out of the bleeder. Then reinstall the bleeder and fire the car up with the radiator cap OFF. Start the car and allow it to run until the thermostat opens. After the thermostat opens top the car off(still running) and close the radiator. That will get all of the air out. "

Tricky1980 · 05-13-2003, 10:54 PM

man im doing the same thing basically but after i got the water pump in i COULDNT get the thermostat to open so i started to drive to home but about half way there my temp guage just JUMPED to HOT HOT HOT! and so i pulled over and filled it up with more fluid and then it ran fine all the way home.. but this morning i drove it to work and the guage jumped to hot.. and it had full fluid and everything.. i guess i burned up my thermostat and it wouldnt open anymore so thats where im sitting now.. with no thermostat in the car until tomorrow.. and i STILL HAVE SQUEEKY BELTS!!!! ive tightened, loosened, and softened... what next!?
JaY

*weirdstyles.net* · 05-14-2003, 07:06 AM

Check the quality of the water pump install, next check your thermostat.

99% of the time, if a water pump has a problem the thermostat is problably effected. Replase your thermostat; fill the bitch with coolant. Let it sit till the fans turn on. The thermostat should open shortly there after. Fill to top and close the fookin cap. You should be good to go.

MorganS13 · 05-14-2003, 10:50 PM

opened bleeder screw, topped off radiator and squeezed/played with upper radiator hose till coolant came out of the hole. then i jumped up and down on the front end a few times and closed everything up and started the car up and now everything is fine! i drove pretty hard for about an hour and needle was holding steady at halfway with no overheating or performance loss

now back to my other issues..

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..

05-14-2003, 07:06 AM	#4
weirdstyles.net This guy... Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South Jersey Age: 41 Posts: 889 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: weirdstyles.net Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Check the quality of the water pump install, next check your thermostat. 99% of the time, if a water pump has a problem the thermostat is problably effected. Replase your thermostat; fill the bitch with coolant. Let it sit till the fans turn on. The thermostat should open shortly there after. Fill to top and close the fookin cap. You should be good to go. __________________ My project car... From dust you were born, And to the ashes you return ~ Kill Switch Engage Family Guy Quagmire: Hey, how old are you sweet thang? Connie: 16. Quagmire: 18? Alllll-right! Connie: Mommmm! Quagmire: I like where this is going, Giggidy giggidy gig-gi-dy!

05-13-2003, 10:49 PM	#2
MorganS13 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Midwest Posts: 707 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	hmm.... found these instructions on another site, guess its worth a try but is there anything else he's forgetting?: "The bleeder is located on the coolant outlet of the motor(where the upper radiator hose connects). It looks like a 12mm(possibly 10mm) bolt. It won't have anything attached to it. Its just a bolt sitting on top of the upper outlet. \ Make sure you get all the air out by filling it til coolant comes out of the bleeder. Then reinstall the bleeder and fire the car up with the radiator cap OFF. Start the car and allow it to run until the thermostat opens. After the thermostat opens top the car off(still running) and close the radiator. That will get all of the air out. "

05-13-2003, 10:54 PM	#3
Tricky1980 Zilvia Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Iowa Age: 44 Posts: 236 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	man im doing the same thing basically but after i got the water pump in i COULDNT get the thermostat to open so i started to drive to home but about half way there my temp guage just JUMPED to HOT HOT HOT! and so i pulled over and filled it up with more fluid and then it ran fine all the way home.. but this morning i drove it to work and the guage jumped to hot.. and it had full fluid and everything.. i guess i burned up my thermostat and it wouldnt open anymore so thats where im sitting now.. with no thermostat in the car until tomorrow.. and i STILL HAVE SQUEEKY BELTS!!!! ive tightened, loosened, and softened... what next!? JaY

05-14-2003, 10:50 PM	#5
MorganS13 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Midwest Posts: 707 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	opened bleeder screw, topped off radiator and squeezed/played with upper radiator hose till coolant came out of the hole. then i jumped up and down on the front end a few times and closed everything up and started the car up and now everything is fine! i drove pretty hard for about an hour and needle was holding steady at halfway with no overheating or performance loss now back to my other issues..