Bleeding the coolant system

Copracr · Aug 13, 2012

I put my engine back together and then drove it from Ohio to N Carolina and back. I assumed the coolant was bled and topped off. Then I took it out today to test my max boost pressures (which turned out to be 8 psi max) and when I stopped I noticed coolant leaking out from under the truck. I popped the hood and my passenger side battery area was covered in coolant and was enough to be dripping down onto the ground making a few small puddles. the overflow bottle was empty looking but I couldn't see any leaking lines or anything. I figured I'd crack the radiator cap to check for pressure and sure enough there was plenty of pressure and the coolant level rose in the resevior.

Did I just pop a big air bubble? Any thoughts on my 8 pounds of boost why we're at at? Thanks, joshua

907DAVE · Aug 13, 2012

Top it back off and see what it does.

Did it over heat?

Headgasket?

Copracr · Aug 13, 2012

I guess I will top it off again. I just went out and the radiator cap is still holding pressure.

temp never moved

Whytry · Aug 13, 2012

8psi boost max you have a big leak somewhere

Copracr · Aug 31, 2012

update-
I ran it up to napa and it started to overheat. After it cooled off I threw 2+ gallons of coolant in it. No issues for a couple of days and I topped off another half gallon. A couple full throttle test runs without a hitch.

I think I never turned the heater to the hot setting and I have the valve installed on the heater lines. I bet that my first full throttle high rpm pull pushed coolant into the front and rear heater core lines and the result was air getting heated up and expanding to push coolant out. Combine that with coolant being pushed into the cores and I got a very low coolant condition.

I've been running around for a week now with no other issues. I think it just wasn't burped enough. And I forgot to install an o-ring between the turbo and intake spider so its on order for the boost problem.

DEEZUZ · Aug 31, 2012

amazon airlift coolant vacuum fill. Best $110 you'll spend

907DAVE · Sep 1, 2012

Love mine. It can refill a cooling system faster than I can pour it in.

TyCorr · Sep 1, 2012

907DAVE said:
Love mine. It can refill a cooling system faster than I can pour it in.

Is it worth it for the home mechanic? I've got three vehicles and hate doing coolant services.

907DAVE · Sep 1, 2012

Do you hate bleeding air out of a cooling system?

If the answer is yes, then yes.

TARM · Sep 1, 2012

Yes those kits which are rebadged under all kinds of names are awesome. None of the spilling and splashing. Trying to keep it all in. Stopping to let it purge some air bla bla bla. You can get them anywhere from $300 for a Snap on version to $75 for the basic no name versions.