Yesterday we (me and piston eater) changed the coolant out on my 1991 NA. It seemed fine yesterday (we drove it around for awhile afterward), but tonight when we took off to go somewhere, the overflow tank cap popped off (it was full) and some coolant spilled over the hood. It wasn't much coolant (more of a release of pressure), and the temp gauge wasn't up too high either. At the time I thought a sprinkler had sprayed the windshield and kept driving. About a mile later, i turned on the heater and suddenly noticed the temp guage up around the 2/3 (maybe 4/5) mark, at which point i pulled over and shut the engine off immediately. The overflow tank was full completely, and there is now a strange smell coming from the air vents in the car.
The car is now back in the driveway (less than 1/4 mile from when I initially stopped) and there were air bubbles coming out of the hose that leads into the overflow tank. The temp gauge fluctuates between 2/3 up (too hot) and normal, depending on rpm, heater switch, speed, etc. What's happening?!

I'd appreciate any light you guys could shed on the subject!

Thanks!,
Andrew

 

hey, i just wanted to say that you have to buy a new engine. Just joking, i am not to sure what to say. But all that i can think of is your thermostat mighted be given up the ghost, not a big deal. But that might be part of your Problem, just have some patients and i am sure that someone will have some constructive insight for you. happy hunting

ev

 

sounds like you didn't bleed the system properly

 

sounds like you could have a bad radiator cap. it could be releasing all your coolant into your overflow tank and not letting it back in. the bubbles would then be steam from the radiator. check the fluid in the actual radiator. the smell you are smelling is vaporized coolant. these are just guesses i would have to see the car

 

Sounds like you have some pockets of air in the system.

 

I agree with the above based on personal experience. You probably just have air in the system. I'd just keep driving it...being very careful of the temperature....if it's like mine the air will work it's way out and all will be fine. You might want to keep checking the coolant actually in the engine / radiator as opposed to the overflow tank to make sure it's full.

Todd

 

wow, that same thing happened to me last week!!!
its air pockets in the system. u gotta unscrew the air bleeder valve from the radiator and get all the air out.

 

I am not sure if the 91's have an air bleeder valve, I can't find it anywhere on the radiator or in the picture in the service manual. I took out the thermostat and verified that it worked.
Just now I idled the car for 15 mins or so and there were some bubbles coming up in the overflow tank. I let it cool for 15 minutes and I went to check it to check it out and it had sucked up all the coolant in the overflow tank! So, assuming I had air in the system somewhere before, and just now fucked up and put more in, what is the proper procedure for de-airing my coolant system?

Thanks,
Andrew Pullin