Cooling System Problem

[Josh]

I suggest replacing the thermostat. This is a normal maintenance repair. Another thing to check... with the engine cold, take off the radiator cap and start it up. Give it some RPMs, and if water surges out of the radiator, you may have a blown head gasket.

The one time I saw a blown head gasket, you didnt have to take off the cap. The exspansion tank was purkalating like an old coffee pot.

 

[gijoecam]

The one time I saw a blown head gasket, you didnt have to take off the cap. The exspansion tank was purkalating like an old coffee pot.

Indeed. A blown head gasket pushes combustion gasses (several hundred PSI) into the cooling system (14-16 psi).

If I was a bettin' man, I'd put my money on the thermostat. If there is air trapped in the elbow, it will do exactly what you are describing. If the thermostat itself is sticking, it'll do it. If the thermostat they installed was up-side down, or the vent hole was on the bottom instead of the top, it'll do exactly what you describe. All the numbers point to the thermostat.

-Joe

 

[msmith65]

I did the spring-rotation test and found my clutch isn't working well at low speeds.

FYI, if you have a pair of 90-degree bent-nose pliers, you should be able to pluck the coil's end out and turn it without removing the fan clutch first. You will have to move the shroud (two bolts) back to reach the coil.

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