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Author Topic: Very odd "problem"? Coolant system content inside :)  (Read 3389 times)

Offline 1320king

Very odd "problem"? Coolant system content inside :)
« on: July 19, 2015, 12:46:37 AM »
So here is the issue. I have a lq9/ls3 setup, and I just realized that even with the car stone cold (sitting for a 48hrs+), if I take the cap off of my expansion tank it releases air and coolant kinda wants to spray out. Almost like it has a bunch of pressure inside of it, even cold. My coolant system is just like the picture below. Is this normal or is there a air pocket or something that I haven't gotten out yet?


Offline al0389

Re: Very odd "problem"? Coolant system content inside :)
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2015, 02:02:44 AM »
Try changing the cap yet?

I'm having similar issues with my mustang.  Now that I've taken the heads off, I found every fuck up they did on the way to bolting on the heads.  I'm surprised it ran so well, for so long.  A blind orangutan with dual sledge hammers could have done a better job putting that motor together.

The cap may not be venting properly, or there is some kind of pressure leak from the heads.


Also, I can't see the picture.   Maybe it's my phone?

1986 Rx-7 GXL  -   Rust Bucket
Will run soon......... i hope.....

Offline largeorangefont

Re: Very odd "problem"? Coolant system content inside :)
« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2015, 09:07:21 AM »
Try a new cap. Also check your vent line, make sure it is not plugged. How full do you run your expansion tank? Run it half full.
Quote from: cool
Sell it to spacevomit.  He'll finish it.

Offline 1320king

Re: Very odd "problem"? Coolant system content inside :)
« Reply #3 on: July 19, 2015, 05:12:01 PM »
havnt tried a diff cap. What cap would you guys suggest (part numbers would be helpful). I run the expansion half full aswell. Car doesnt over heat, just odd pressure even when its dead cold.

Offline cholmes

Re: Very odd "problem"? Coolant system content inside :)
« Reply #4 on: July 19, 2015, 11:18:23 PM »
In my experience, when that happens combustion gases are getting into the coolant from a head gasket leak.

Offline zbrown

Re: Very odd "problem"? Coolant system content inside :)
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2015, 12:05:41 AM »
yup^^
8.50/165



Offline 1320king

Re: Very odd "problem"? Coolant system content inside :)
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2015, 09:16:35 AM »
I sure as shit hope not. The car has barely 30 minutes of run time on a fresh build. Something else thats odd is 2 days ago i pulled the cap and pressure released and then about 20 mins ago I opened up the cap because I was going to burp it and AGAIN sounded like pressure released.... HOW the hell did pressure get built up without it starting or anything? It sat for 48 hours and had pressure in it again. What am I missing here hahah  :confused: :confused:

Offline zbrown

Re: Very odd "problem"? Coolant system content inside :)
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2015, 09:30:17 AM »
The only way you got pressure in the system without ever starting it is if  the temp of the coolant rose from then you poured it in and placed the cap on, and when you removed the cap



8.50/165



Offline mobythevan

Re: Very odd "problem"? Coolant system content inside :)
« Reply #8 on: July 20, 2015, 11:54:09 AM »
Does the fresh build have multi layer metal head gaskets?  Sometimes the block and head are not prepped correctly for them and they leak right from the beginning. 

In between the times it built pressure, did you roll the engine over by hand?
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Offline 1320king

Re: Very odd "problem"? Coolant system content inside :)
« Reply #9 on: July 20, 2015, 12:20:14 PM »
Heads and block were check by machine shop, everything was fine. Used GM 6.0 / 6.2 headgaskets, headstuds.

I checked the coolant for any "smells" or oils and it was fine. No discoloration, no odor, also not consuming any.

Didnt roll the engine over by hand or anything. I opened the cap, pressure came out, put the cap back on, let it sit for 24-48 hours, popped the cap back open before starting it to try to bleed it and PSHHHHHH pressure/air escapes.... It did sit outside in 92* heat between days but would that truly cause it? I have been building cars for over 10+ years and have NEVER had something like this happen.

Could the cap be defective? Its a CSR cap that came with my used expansion tank.

Offline largeorangefont

Re: Very odd "problem"? Coolant system content inside :)
« Reply #10 on: July 20, 2015, 03:08:52 PM »

Did you check your vent line for blockage?
Quote from: cool
Sell it to spacevomit.  He'll finish it.

Offline 1320king

Re: Very odd "problem"? Coolant system content inside :)
« Reply #11 on: July 20, 2015, 03:31:35 PM »
no blockage on vent line. I even took the line off and left the port open.

Offline al0389

Re: Very odd "problem"? Coolant system content inside :)
« Reply #12 on: July 20, 2015, 07:22:27 PM »



There is a possibility that it cools at night (enough to vacuum/suck in air) and in the day time it gets hot enough to build a small amount of pressure within the caps psi rating). Enough to hear a hissing. However, that normally happens when there is a very large temperature differential between hot and cold. Emphasis on very large temperature differential.  I mean, at least a 50*f difference, and that would cause probably 3-5 psi ish. And that's a rough guesstimate. Even at that, with how slow expansion would be, it should vent most of it.

Are you sure the sound isn't suction? From not being able to pull fluid back in, once the motor cooled down?

Change the cap, it's the cheapest solution, and hopefully it solves your problem. If you still have issues once you've changed it, I'd check for hydrocarbons in the coolant, oil/coolant mixes, sweet exhaust smells.


Don't worry, head gaskets jobs aren't the worst. I'm doing my second head gasket on my car in a week because I had a dowel pin misalignment that didn't allow my head/gasket/block to seal properly.  Best part? I've been without a car for two weeks now.  :(
1986 Rx-7 GXL  -   Rust Bucket
Will run soon......... i hope.....

Offline 1320king

Re: Very odd "problem"? Coolant system content inside :)
« Reply #13 on: July 20, 2015, 11:50:22 PM »
Ya I just bought a new cap. Going to test it out Friday.