bobwrc

I drained old coolant, replaced thermostat, and then tried to refill the system with a container of radiator cleaner and water, in order to flush the system.
I can add only about 2 quarts of fluid via the pressure cap opening on the overflow tank. I ran the engine till it indicated normal operating temperature on the gauge, let it cool a bit, and then removed the pressure cap, only to find that there was no room in the overflow tank to add additional coolant. ran the engine for a few minutes to see if the fluid level would drop but it didn't.
It sure was a lot simpler when the pressure cap/filler outlet was positioned directly on the radiator!
HELP; how do I add the remaining 5 quarts of coolant to the system?
I'm reluctant to run the engine to long with only a couple of quarts of coolant in the system.

GoldieGoldie97

usually when you drain, you drain first from the radiator, then from the oveflow if there is a drain plug. if you plug the raditor in order to run water through it to flush, and allow it to circulate through the block, it will trap air and water in the system. i would recommend (i just did this on my buddy's corolla) with leaving the overflow tank closed, add coolant to the radiator with that drain plug open until it (and it's slow because the air has to move through) drains out. this type of "bleeding" the radiator takes time but works. eventually, when pure coolant comes out, you can plug the radiator and fill the tank completely. good luck

bobwrc

Thanks, I'll try that.
As I said it sure was easier when the filler cap was on top of the radiator!

bobwrc

Couldn't do as you suggested, as the only "filling" access opening is the one on the overflow tank that has the pressure cap on it. I tried filling via that point, but with the radiator drain petcock on the bottom of the radiator, open, and draining. I didn't have any better luck doing that, as the overflow tank would fill up, with the radiator still draining, with only about 2 quarts in the system as best as I could tell, and the fill rate then became about as slow as the radiator drain rate. The system capacity is suppose to be 7 quarts.
I don't have a clue as to what to try next!

GoldieGoldie97

what year and model is it?

edit, when you drained it, did you drain the engine as well as the radiator? you could still have up to 4-5 quarts in the engine and only be draining the remaining 2-3 in the radiator and overflow tank..

trowa

Ya I understand. On my civics it was real easy. I used a garden hose to pump water in and let it drain out the bottom of the car

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94 Saturn SL2 - Daily beater

Ssicarman

As mentioned already it souonds like you didn't drain the block. Just the rad. With the block drained, 10 mm head bolt with aluminum gasket washer located under the thermostat, you will get pretty much all of th ecoolant out. Refill will then be the 7 quarts or so.

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bobwrc

I did drain both the radiator and engine block. The amount of old coolant that I collected in a drain pan appeared to be just about the 7 quarts that the specifications indicate.
I just can't figure how to purge the air out of the coolant system.
Is there perhaps, a bleeder valve or screw on the radiator near the top, so the trapped air can be vented out?
I never suspected that refilling the coolant system would be such a frustrating hassle!

bobwrc

It's a 1999 SW2 wagon. According to the manual; the coolant system capacity is 7 quarts, and that is just about what I drained out.
The problem appears to be purging or venting the system of trapped air, as the new coolant is poured in.

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..

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