how to add coolant?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,100
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From: Rochester, MN
sounds like airplane
how to add coolant?
having problems with my car-
was running properly- i parked car in garage after a long drive and it promptly dumped approximately half a gallon out of the overflow's "vent" or "release".
i attempted to let it cool- refill coolant and move on etc.
however, now the coolant is building pressure, overfilling the tank, and generally not working plus the car would overheat if i actually ran it for long. I must have air in the coolant etc., but why can't i figure out how to fix it?
what is the process you use?
was running properly- i parked car in garage after a long drive and it promptly dumped approximately half a gallon out of the overflow's "vent" or "release".
i attempted to let it cool- refill coolant and move on etc.
however, now the coolant is building pressure, overfilling the tank, and generally not working plus the car would overheat if i actually ran it for long. I must have air in the coolant etc., but why can't i figure out how to fix it?
what is the process you use?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
having problems with my car-
was running properly- i parked car in garage after a long drive and it promptly dumped approximately half a gallon out of the overflow's "vent" or "release".
i attempted to let it cool- refill coolant and move on etc.
however, now the coolant is building pressure, overfilling the tank, and generally not working plus the car would overheat if i actually ran it for long. I must have air in the coolant etc., but why can't i figure out how to fix it?
what is the process you use?
was running properly- i parked car in garage after a long drive and it promptly dumped approximately half a gallon out of the overflow's "vent" or "release".
i attempted to let it cool- refill coolant and move on etc.
however, now the coolant is building pressure, overfilling the tank, and generally not working plus the car would overheat if i actually ran it for long. I must have air in the coolant etc., but why can't i figure out how to fix it?
what is the process you use?
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
07' E350, 71' DATSUN 510
My first thoght was thermostat, but would need more info on the overheating situation.
As far as bleeding the system, top of the system, leave the cap off, start the car, turn the defroster on, play with the throttle raising the rpm's letting it idle etc..., continue untill defroster blows hot air. All while keeping the coolant reservoir topped off.
Good luck.
As far as bleeding the system, top of the system, leave the cap off, start the car, turn the defroster on, play with the throttle raising the rpm's letting it idle etc..., continue untill defroster blows hot air. All while keeping the coolant reservoir topped off.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,100
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From: Rochester, MN
sounds like airplane
it was in normal range prior to dumping of the coolant- in fact, it dumped "cool" coolant (cold to the touch 2 or 3 minutes after the fact)
how would a stuck thermostat result in this problem? (blocks the pump from running the coolant through the radiator, thus forcing the coolant to "back-up" into the reservoir "en masse" and also not getting any cooling?--- how will i tell for sure?
where does the car read the temperature?
how is the system supposed to function when it's pressurized? ie- how full should the reservoir get vs. how empty should it be non-pressurized? Can it "gulp" air down the "return" line if coolant is overfilled?
also, likely of note- at times the temp gauge fluctuates up and down rapidly, to me suggesting air bubbles passing through the area where the temperature is measured?
I def. hope it's not a head gasket-
how would a stuck thermostat result in this problem? (blocks the pump from running the coolant through the radiator, thus forcing the coolant to "back-up" into the reservoir "en masse" and also not getting any cooling?--- how will i tell for sure?
where does the car read the temperature?
how is the system supposed to function when it's pressurized? ie- how full should the reservoir get vs. how empty should it be non-pressurized? Can it "gulp" air down the "return" line if coolant is overfilled?
also, likely of note- at times the temp gauge fluctuates up and down rapidly, to me suggesting air bubbles passing through the area where the temperature is measured?
I def. hope it's not a head gasket-
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
it was in normal range prior to dumping of the coolant- in fact, it dumped "cool" coolant (cold to the touch 2 or 3 minutes after the fact)
how would a stuck thermostat result in this problem? (blocks the pump from running the coolant through the radiator, thus forcing the coolant to "back-up" into the reservoir "en masse" and also not getting any cooling?--- how will i tell for sure?
where does the car read the temperature?
how is the system supposed to function when it's pressurized? ie- how full should the reservoir get vs. how empty should it be non-pressurized? Can it "gulp" air down the "return" line if coolant is overfilled?
also, likely of note- at times the temp gauge fluctuates up and down rapidly, to me suggesting air bubbles passing through the area where the temperature is measured?
I def. hope it's not a head gasket-
how would a stuck thermostat result in this problem? (blocks the pump from running the coolant through the radiator, thus forcing the coolant to "back-up" into the reservoir "en masse" and also not getting any cooling?--- how will i tell for sure?
where does the car read the temperature?
how is the system supposed to function when it's pressurized? ie- how full should the reservoir get vs. how empty should it be non-pressurized? Can it "gulp" air down the "return" line if coolant is overfilled?
also, likely of note- at times the temp gauge fluctuates up and down rapidly, to me suggesting air bubbles passing through the area where the temperature is measured?
I def. hope it's not a head gasket-
On the coolant bottle there should be cold and hot lines. While filling cold fill to the cold line and hot to the hot line but check it again after driving for a while. When bleeding be sure your heat is on full hot. No, the overflow will not suck air into the system. When the coolant gets hot it will expand and end up in the coolant bottle and as it coolos it will suck the coolant back into the system.
One unlikely cause of the problem could be a bad head gasket which would presurize the coolant beyond its design. That is very unlikely and you would see other problems as a result of that. I say Thermostat!
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 508
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From: california high desert
2003 S500, 03 C240, 03 E320, 03 tahoe
any air bubbles in the resevoir tank?
it sounds like a thermostat to me also,"hopefully".while the car is cool,open the resevoir tank and start the car,if there are any bubbles at all that surface in the tank it is likely a head gasket.no bubbles,put the cap back on and allow the car to idle for two or three minutes.shut the engine off and listen for boiling water sounds.if you hear boiling water then check the thermostat and consider a remote chance of a bad water pump impeller.also if you have a leak in the system and it is easier for air to be pulled into the system as opposed to pulling coolant from the resevoir this will give you that air pocket and create similar symptoms.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,100
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From: Rochester, MN
sounds like airplane
my understanding is that b oth arguing sides on the head gasket issue are right- it is potential than under high boost a leaking head gasket could cuase these issues etc. (but seems improbable under my 5 psi).
this problem is occuring when the engine is not seeing boost
the upper radiator hose and the entire radiator are cold! and i'm 99% sure the problem is my thermostat. I actually ordered the t stat yesterday prior to even getting a chance to look at the car again (which i did this morning). also used the opportunity to pick up the steering stabilizer.
directions for t stat change somewhere? wish me luck that the t stat fixes the problem- i've got a long trip planned in 10 days.
-drew
this problem is occuring when the engine is not seeing boost
the upper radiator hose and the entire radiator are cold! and i'm 99% sure the problem is my thermostat. I actually ordered the t stat yesterday prior to even getting a chance to look at the car again (which i did this morning). also used the opportunity to pick up the steering stabilizer.
directions for t stat change somewhere? wish me luck that the t stat fixes the problem- i've got a long trip planned in 10 days.
-drew
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