2h - air pocket??

[sagesixty]

Hi all,

Recently fixed a coolant leak from a lower hose after the clamp hadn't been tightened enough. Did not top up coolant as it was running well and not overheating. Took it on a short drive and immediately started to run hot, switched it off immediately and let it cool down before driving home. Quite obviously hadn't been bled properly.

Now when I drive it, the temp gauge goes up and down slightly, between the mid-line and slightly above the mid-line. I filled the reservoir the other day as well when the engine was cold. No issues when I drove it again, but still gauge goes up and down slightly. I took the reservoir cap off yesterday when engine was cold for a day, and I heard a gurgle come from the radiator. I realise I had also over-filled the reservoir tank.

Does anyone know what's happening here? Was this just air that hadn't been bled properly, and couldn't work itself out due to an overfull reservoir? Am I looking at a head gasket? Coolant and oil are both clean. Not sure what's happening but is freaking me out.

 

[duncanrm]

Adding coolant to the reservoir does nothing.

Take the radiator cap off, fill to the brim and start the vehicle - let it idle for 30mins or so and keep on adding coolant as it permits.. some coolant may be pushed out before this process is finished. Go for a short drive (5-10mins), come home and let it cool, take the radiator cap off and see if it'll take any more coolant.

Whilst the radiator cap is off and the engine is running, look for lots of bubbles - this is a sign there's a a head issue.

 

[sagesixty]

Adding coolant to the reservoir does nothing.

Take the radiator cap off, fill to the brim and start the vehicle - let it idle for 30mins or so and keep on adding coolant as it permits.. some coolant may be pushed out before this process is finished. Go for a short drive (5-10mins), come home and let it cool, take the radiator cap off and see if it'll take any more coolant.

Whilst the radiator cap is off and the engine is running, look for lots of bubbles - this is a sign there's a a head issue.

Thanks. Won't it bubble for a short while whilst getting air pockets out from topping up the coolant anyway?

 

[sagesixty]

Thanks. Won't it bubble for a short while whilst getting air pockets out from topping up the coolant anyway?

And any take on the gurgle noise from the radiator when taking off the reservoir cap cold?

 

[duncanrm]

And any take on the gurgle noise from the radiator when taking off the reservoir cap cold?

If the radiator wasnt properly full it will gurgle to some degree.. and yes, some bubbles will always be evident during the filling process.. bubbles from a head gasket issue are very different and wont stop.. you'll often see a vapour too.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Park on incline or ramps with front up to let bubbles out radiator filler neck