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Coolant overflow


f_399

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After filling up the radiator, I filled up the overflow.

 

You know how there is a mark "Cold" and "Hot" or something like that?

 

I filled it up past those marks, now when the engine is warmed up the coolant level is at "Hot" and the same for "cold"

 

Does the coolant level just go down to those marks automatically?

 

I am wondering because I hope I did not lose any coolant, just replaced intake gaskets.

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I would assume you didn't bleed the coolant system but just filled up the rad. itself. That could be one cause for the coolant in the tank to be lower, but if you overfill the overflow, coolant will come out of that tank. If you don't smell coolant, I would assume you're good.

keep an eye on the level over the next few days. if it continues the lower, you probably have a problem.

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When the coolant gets hot, it "expands" a little bit therefore rising up to the "hot" mark. When the coolant is colder, it "contracts" or becomes thicker therefore going to the cold/staying at the cold. Its that basic theory. think of oil. When its cold its thick, when its oil is hot, its thinner. And the coolant rises in the overflow because of the system pressure, it pushes it out to there when hot.

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When I changed my gaskets I filled it up to the proper level and bleed it the best I could. Took it for a drive and it went down to "cool" even though the engine was hot. Turned out there was just some air in the system... I topped it up to hot and the level has been perfect ever since. :)

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ok

 

when the car was cold i put coolant in the overflow past the Hot line

 

now when the car is hot is it allighned to the hot marker... where did the extra coolant go?

 

i am watching it to see if i lose anymore

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Let it run for a while (at least until the fan turns on). Also squeezing the top rad hose (by the air box) will help squeeze air out (you'll see it bubble in the reserviour). It's a bit of a pain in the ass to get all the air out...

 

If you are worried that it's leaking into the engine just open the oil cap and see if it looks bad. Also steam would come out if coolant is going in there.

 

Also make sure you put on the heater so that it's all flowing everywhere...

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I'd say you just overflowed the overflow tank, and it pushed some out the top...no biggy if it stops disappearing after this time.

no, and then yes. Coolant level should stop changing in a few days. There always will be several air pockets that remain, and eventually they will find there way to the cap ond out of the system.

Meanwhile watch your coolant and oil for any other problems.

primarily much in the oil, or a rising oil level.

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ok

 

i did buy head gaskets thinking we were going to replace them

 

when we got to the intake gaskets we found the problem so we stopped and just did the intake gaskets

 

hopefully the head gaskets are fine

 

how do you go about taking air bubbles out? does the system just do that or do i have to do something?

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ok

 

i did buy head gaskets thinking we were going to replace them

 

when we got to the intake gaskets we found the problem so we stopped and just did the intake gaskets

 

hopefully the head gaskets are fine

 

how do you go about taking air bubbles out? does the system just do that or do i have to do something?

If You have already opened the bleeder valves and let as much air out as comes to them, (best done engine idling warm) then mostly just time and use, plus, once in a while when the car had cooled and you are checking, top the radiator off. I'd say about 1/2 gallon should be the maximum extend of the fill needed.

 

Just rememeber to keep an eye on oil level and condition, and soon the coolant level should stabilize.

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