Big Cooling System Problem!!!
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: KS
Big Cooling System Problem!!!
Hey everyone,
I seem to have a pretty big problem. I just got my engine running, and all seemed fine. However, out of nowhere after running it for about 10 minutes, the radiator hose to the thermostat housing shot off and the coolant sprayed everywhere. Now, i thought the problem was due to not enough coolant, so i filled it all the way up, and tightened that hose down even tighter. This time, after i shut the engine off after running it for 5-7 minutes, i heard it pop and soon the coolant was all over once again. Why is there so much pressure in the cooling system? Do you have any idea what could be causing this? The only thing i thought of was when i installed the head gaskets, it appeared thtat it covered one of the passages in the block. I bought another set of gaskets, but it did the same thing. I followed the directions though and made sure that where it said front of engine was facing towards the front. Other than that, i have no idea what to do, and im kind of scared and worried that it is something very big. If you know anything that i could do, i would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
Danny
P.S. - It's for a 79 Ranchero with a 302. Nothing is stock, and all cooling system components are new too.
I seem to have a pretty big problem. I just got my engine running, and all seemed fine. However, out of nowhere after running it for about 10 minutes, the radiator hose to the thermostat housing shot off and the coolant sprayed everywhere. Now, i thought the problem was due to not enough coolant, so i filled it all the way up, and tightened that hose down even tighter. This time, after i shut the engine off after running it for 5-7 minutes, i heard it pop and soon the coolant was all over once again. Why is there so much pressure in the cooling system? Do you have any idea what could be causing this? The only thing i thought of was when i installed the head gaskets, it appeared thtat it covered one of the passages in the block. I bought another set of gaskets, but it did the same thing. I followed the directions though and made sure that where it said front of engine was facing towards the front. Other than that, i have no idea what to do, and im kind of scared and worried that it is something very big. If you know anything that i could do, i would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
Danny
P.S. - It's for a 79 Ranchero with a 302. Nothing is stock, and all cooling system components are new too.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 14
From: West Cornwall, CT
From your description, I'd suspect that the radiator cap is defective. The cap's spring should regulate pressure below about 13 psi and should prevent hoses from blowing off. It is normal for coolant pressure to rise after you turn a hot engine off.
You might want to run the engine with the cap removed, let it come up to operating temperature and observe that the thermostat opens and you see coolant flow. Also look for any exhaust gas bubbles coming from the radiator.
If everything checks out OK and the engine is not overheating, I'd replace that cap.
Lou Braun
You might want to run the engine with the cap removed, let it come up to operating temperature and observe that the thermostat opens and you see coolant flow. Also look for any exhaust gas bubbles coming from the radiator.
If everything checks out OK and the engine is not overheating, I'd replace that cap.
Lou Braun
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: KS
thanks guys, ill have to try that. Yes, i do have the thermostat right. Before i put it in, it had an arrow and said which way to put it. And also, when it ran, it was shooting coolant out of it until i turned the engine off, so i know it had to be working. I thought it might be the thermostat at first too. Well, ill keep trying. Thanks
Thread Starter
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Senior User
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From: KS
ok, i ran the engine without the cap on. I did notice bubbles. Are these exhaust bubbles, or is it boiling? With my luck, they are exhaust bubbles, and what i didn't mention is that there is smoke coming from the radiator. Does this mean there is a big problem?? Thanks
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: KS
ok, i ran it one more time before i read your post stuart. This time, i ran it for a while. When i would rev it and keep it at 2000 rpm, i would let it go, but up to the top came a foamy substance that was brown, so that has to mean oil, right? I will drain the oil and see if there is water in there. Is this a bad gasket, or a cracked head? And is there a way of determining which head it is? or could it be both?
oh yeah, and when i turned it off, all the fluid shot out of the radiator like it did from the hose.
oh yeah, and when i turned it off, all the fluid shot out of the radiator like it did from the hose.
Last edited by DRanchero; Jul 20, 2005 at 12:42 PM.
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