help! car overflow tank smokeing / strong coolant smell running hot/ air bubbles.

hottwheels04 · Dec 13, 2012

Like my title states, My car is starting to run hot, I see some smoke / steam coming out of the overflow tank, I think I have a air pocket in the cooling system does that sound right? and whats the best way to get it out.

Backround it all started few weeks ago when I was driving my new accesory drive belt shredded was faulty and being I had no accessories the water pump / alternator etc wasnt spinning, my car started to over heat and smoke and coolant came out my oveflow,well ive since replaced my coolant filled it up and put a new belt on it, car starts runs fine, but after driving it for good 20+min it slighty runs hot / overheats not bad, I checked temp not going over 200degrees fan comes on, but i notiched smoke/ steam coming out my overflow tank and a strong burning hot coolant smell. I checked my radiator is fine, the water pump spins fine, my t stat and radiator are new, hoses are fine, I was thinking I blew a head gasket, but radiator coolant is fine , oil is fine, checked my oil breather cap its not milky and its not running real hot.

I was told since i filled it up I have air pocket stuck in my cooling system I need to "bleed" it hows the proper way to do this.

Any input/ help thanks

sn95jones · Dec 13, 2012

Have you tried grabbing the upper radiator hose and squeezing it? Doing so will push out any air pockets if there are any.
I never heard that you have to bleed the system to get rid of an air pocket.

hottwheels04 · Dec 13, 2012

yeah I have to try that, I was told bleeding the system was the best, I'm gona try keeping the radiator cap off and putting the heat on and let it idle run and then rev it @ around 3,000 rpms steady for 2-3 min I was told then squeeze the hose and drive it with heat on so the new coolant can circulate the system and push out any air bubbles. Thanks for the input!

KillNThrill24 · Dec 13, 2012

Hmm.. My Grand Am did the same thing for a VERY long time. I used to just open the cap every time I got done driving. It acted like a bottle of pop, when you crack it open it has that release of air. Worked for me. Didn't know of any quicker way at the time lol

hottwheels04 · Dec 13, 2012

KillNThrill24 said:
Hmm.. My Grand Am did the same thing for a VERY long time. I used to just open the cap every time I got done driving. It acted like a bottle of pop, when you crack it open it has that release of air. Worked for me. Didn't know of any quicker way at the time lol

well that sounds more like a bad head gasket if yours did it all the time lol , air keeps getting in your system means no pressure= bad radiator cap or head gasket, I hope thats not my case, This is first time my is doing it cause of the new coolant so I assume I have trapped air in it I need to get out, and I hope it doesnt return, because Like i said if you keep getting air/ pressure over and over thats not trapped air, thats a radiator cap not holding pressure or bad overflow tank/ bad head gasket

KillNThrill24 · Dec 13, 2012

Yupp you nailed it the head gasket's were going, or gone. I replaced em twice lol. It hasn't had that issue in a minute, but when I redid them I don't recall ever having to bleed the system.. Maybe once or twice but it wasn't constant.

But 5.0's... Are they common for head gasket issues?

Musturd · Dec 13, 2012

You let it run with the cap off until the thermostat opens . Top it off and put the cap on

Twista · Dec 13, 2012

Jack up the drivers side of the car so its the highest point of the cooling system.

From there turn the defrost on high and add coolant to the radiator. Soon as you see the coolant level drop add more coolant. Keep doing this till the radiator coolant level doesn't drop at all . After it stays level and full you can turn the car off.

Thats burping the system of any air bubbles.

Twista · Dec 13, 2012

If you have underdrive pullies this might drain your battery since your using the Heater on full blast without getting the alternator into the RPM charging range.

hottwheels04 · Dec 13, 2012

Twista said:
Jack up the drivers side of the car so its the highest point of the cooling system.

From there turn the defrost on high and add coolant to the radiator. Soon as you see the coolant level drop add more coolant. Keep doing this till the radiator coolant level doesn't drop at all . After it stays level and full you can turn the car off.

Thats burping the system of any air bubbles.

thanks I have to do that!

hottwheels04 · Dec 13, 2012

Twista said:
If you have underdrive pullies this might drain your battery since your using the Heater on full blast without getting the alternator into the RPM charging range.

yeah i dont run the o/d's anymore, I put my stock pullies on, but yeah since it was just sitting idleing for few weeks havent had time to drive it along with cold dark shity weather, I finally had time to put the new belt on and add coolant but was just sitting running hot I took it out for a spin and to put gas and air in my tires its not as bad,but I t seems to still smoke/ steam a little run hott and smell of coolant from the overflow tank still, so I will try your idea to bleed the air system Thanks.! hope it works

KillNThrill24 · Dec 13, 2012

Learn something new everyday!

wildride02gt · Dec 13, 2012

my buddies 96 was doing this for weeks, and we couldn't figure out why. turned out the intake manifold gasket was shot and was slowly burning coolant and leaving the cooling system with no pressure. just something to look for if burping the system doesnt work.

hottwheels04 · Dec 13, 2012

hmm I hope not I keep replacing gaskets lol

Orange 94 · Dec 14, 2012

I think the actual solution to your problem is:
take the cap off the rad, turn the engine on, allow it to idle for eactly 2.43 mins, then honk the horn 6 times, turn the window wipers on, then turn the headlights on and signal right. Then i suggest you listen to someone elses solution

Glad i could help!

Twista · Dec 14, 2012

Orange 94 said:
I think the actual solution to your problem is:
take the cap off the rad, turn the engine on, allow it to idle for eactly 2.43 mins, then honk the horn 6 times, turn the window wipers on, then turn the headlights on and signal right. Then i suggest you listen to someone elses solution Glad i could help!

lmao!! Dont forget to add some blinker fluid to the blinker overflow bottle.

Orange 94 · Dec 14, 2012

Twista said:
lmao!! Dont forget to add some blinker fluid to the blinker overflow bottle.

Oh sh*t! yeah, dont forget that!

CC'S95GT · Dec 14, 2012

Come on guys, lets get the terminolgy right.
You BLEED brakes and BURP cooling systems.
Twista pretty much nailed it. except I don't about the "defroster being on part".

ProKiller · Dec 14, 2012

i always just squeeze the hell out of the rad hose to burp it. let it run and then top it off.

Twista · Dec 14, 2012

CC'S95GT said:
Come on guys, lets get the terminolgy right.
You BLEED brakes and BURP cooling systems.
Twista pretty much nailed it. except I don't about the "defroster being on part".

Crap, dont forgot to check the overflow bottle. Make sure its @ the hot level after you get down burping the cooling system. Once you drive it after the 1st drive check the overflow bottle again because the engine mightve sucked the bottle clean.. if so add more to the overflow tank to the full mark if car is warmed up.