tc97max

iTrader: (2)

I replaced my radiator and took the car for a test drive after and the needle went to almost all the way up to the H as I was pulling in my driveway. I put the radiator in but did not put coolant in because the resivour was full and I was only going for a short drive i thought the coolant would flow from the block and fill the radiator as it moved. I let the car cool down and then pulled the hose from the bottom of the radiator off and coolant came out. Any I idea what might of happened. Was I soposed to fill the radiator when It was installed? Was that why it overheated?

The Wizard

iTrader: (43)

The coolant in the engine block and reservoir is only a portion of the total amount of coolant you're supposed to have......So yes, you should've filled your radiator after installation. Then start the car with the radiator cap off and leave it off for a few minutes or so, let the car burp itself (to let all the air out of the system), put the cap back on etc etc.............

CRiME

iTrader: (21)

are you serious? do what wizard says to release the air and you should be ok.

deadmax96

live and learn we all goofed at point in time........but now he knows and knowing is half the battle G.I. JOE!!!!!!!

tc97max

iTrader: (2)

Ok thanks I know it was a dumb move, I was excited to drive my maxima because it was out of service for a few months and I had never replaced a radiator before.

CRiME

iTrader: (21)

Yeah, whenever I finish a repair, I'm usually very eager to go on that first test drive .for the record, pmohr repeatedly drove his car with an overheating engine with no ill effects. but he's MacGuyver

S1cTech

LOL... I'm sorry man... but wow... U should never do what you just did... No offense but it kinda surprizes me that ppl work on their cars but don't know how to fully do the job right... yes, there is fluid in the block, but Not enough to flow without fluid in the rad. IT will spew out a little and possible fill the radiator a little but only a little, The whole Radiator needs to be topped off because the coils fill up with the fluid so the air can pass though them to cool it down. Even women kno that... lol... Not trying to pick on ya, but like the other guy said... u lived in learn...

Just top the raditor off turn the car on, Let it warm up until the Tremostat opens up and the fluid should go down a little, top it off and you good to go.


O and just another tip, this applies to pretty much any other fluid device in cars... For example if you were to do a steering rack...Just make sure when you changing your steering Rack not to rely on just the fluid in the pump... It needs to be watched as it uses that fluid to put inside the rack as u top it off... It will make whinning sounds from air at first.

tc97max

iTrader: (2)

I toped the radiator off and let it run for a few minutes with the cap off to let it burp the air like the wizard said and then put it back on and let it warm up and it still started to overheat. How do i know when I have enough fluid in there?

riceyasian86

You need to fill it to the top AFTER the air is let out.
1) Fill up radiator with engine off...
2) Leave cap off...
3) Start engine and let it run for a few minutes until the fluid level starts to drop...
4) Look into hole to see where the fluid level is and if it's consistent..
5) Fill it back to the top WITH the engine running then...
6) Close the cap.

What you did was let the air "burps" and stopped there. Still need to fill it up so your engine has enough fluid to keep it from overheating. Let us know.

tc97max

iTrader: (2)

I got it, thanks.

QNO_A32

iTrader: (7)

when you took out the old radiator, coolant came out right??? however much was lost there, that amount should have been put back in.

97maximany

Did the same onces....dont feel bad