Adding coolant - 1999 SW2 Wagon - Page 2

bobwrc · 07-20-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bldegle2

did you replace the thermostat??? if not, it may be the culprit.

if it is fubar and doesn't response to temps, it may not be opening, thus causing this problem.

when draining the radiator i undo the large radiator hose down by the waterpump, seems to empty both the block and radiator at the same time, and one should do this when the engine is still slightly warm, it allows the water to drain past the thermostat (open from heat) out of the engine block.

i have never had a problem like you describe, all i can think of is a blockage somewhere (maybe dislodged crud debris from the flushing proceedure.

laterz..

Yes, the thermostat was replaced with a new one.
After running the engine for several minutes, the temperature gauge goes up to what was always the normal operating temperature.
I assumed that the thermostat had opened as the indicated temperature on the gauge never rose any higher, but I still couldn't add any more coolant via the overflow tank.

97dbsl2 · 07-20-2007, 02:09 PM

id say drain it again, and see what happens.

GoldieGoldie97 · 07-20-2007, 03:48 PM

or just fill it with 7-8 quarts with no thermo, then quickly fling off the hose, insert the therm, and pop the hose back on before you lose massive amounts of coolant haha..

bobwrc · 07-20-2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97dbsl2

id say drain it again, and see what happens.

Thought you might be kidding, but for lack of anything else to try; I gave your suggestion a try, and damned if it didn't work!

Well almost; as I was able to add about 6 quarts of coolant, which is only a quart shy of what the manual indicates as being full capacity.
Think I'll just drive it normally and check the coolant level in the overflow tank regularly, in the hope that any remaining air pockets will work their way to the overflow tank and permit adding a little more coolant.
It sure would be a lot simpler if Saturn had just added an simple air bleed venting screw cap somewhere on top of the radiator.
Yeah, I know, some GM cost reduction engineer probably figured that not doing so, would save 50 cents per car, by not doing so!
Anyhow, thanks for your suggestion.
Now the big question: why did it work?

bobwrc · 07-20-2007, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldieGoldie97

or just fill it with 7-8 quarts with no thermo, then quickly fling off the hose, insert the therm, and pop the hose back on before you lose massive amounts of coolant haha..

"I'm a slow worker, so I think I'll add 16 to 20 quarts to allow more time to install the thermostat and reconnect the hose."

GoldieGoldie97 · 07-21-2007, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobwrc

Yeah, I know, some GM cost reduction engineer probably figured that not doing so, would save 50 cents per car, by not doing so!

lol, or, they figured if they made it hard enough, it would force you go to the dealer and get raped for hourly labor charge..

bldegle2 · 07-21-2007, 01:55 PM

the remaining air bubbles, if any (you may have still had a quart left in the block), will disappear with a short drive, then top it off as necessary....

laterz.