no coolant - getting too hot!

[jonohall]

Hey guys,

I own a 1997 EL Falcon. Had it about a year now and love it. Anyways, over last few days noticed temp guage venturing higher than usual - even up to the top third, though still out of the red. Once the wind gets going through it it drops to about half way. Checked out the coolant reservoir, poured a couple of jugs in, there was nothing or very little in there!!!! Since I bought the car, the level would never stay where it was supposed to and the reservoir would be empty but can see the level where it drains into the hose and never any problems with temp.

My bro car same problem (also 1997 EL). I noticed after driving my bro's car that coolant was leaking out the bottom out of what appeared to be an overflow pipe - haven't checked outmine yet.

My question is why are our cars losing coolant out of an overflow and why did the reservoir always drop previously- some pressure problem or something?

And what are the steps in flushing the system- just a botch garden hose job. removing the thermostat housing I read somewhere??

cheers

[Falcon4L]

I have never heard of an overflow pipe anywhere. I think you just have a leak in one of your hoses, maybe one of the clamps is on too tight (or not tight enough). Just replace the clamp and the hose where the coolant is leaking from. That should solve the problem. Happens to my EL all the time, you get used to it.

[Bill_R]

1st and simplest thing is to replace the radiator cap. Faulty caps can sometimes cause coolant loss through the overflow. Next, get it pressure tested. that should locate any problems. Is your oil milky at all?

Flushing with a garden hose is ok but it probably won't solve the pressure issue - use a flush as regular maintenence. I'd remove the radiator to flush it .

I've had an ED for 6 weeks and it tended to run a bit hot. I was only going to flush it with the radiator fitted but had a prpblem getting the bottom hose off. I undid the radiator bolts and pivoted it up to get to the hose easier and discovered a coating of dried grass blocking about 1/2 of the radiator. A good clean out (plus new water + inhibitor + thermostat) and heating issue was solved. I've *never* seen anything like it. Was like a birds nest over 1/2 the radiator.

Remove the thermostat housing and change the thermostat if you think it might need it - take advantage of the opportunity.

[niko]

pressure tests are great

[Aaron_EF8]

To check if coolant is coming out of the overflow pipe, wedge a coke bottle between the battery and headlight, then run the overflow pipe into it. You may need to bleed the cooling system of air, which is easy enough. Take the radiator cap off *before the car is too hot* then turn the heater on full and wait for the coolant level to stabilise. If you add coolant past the Hot/Cold marks on the overflow bottle, the excess coolant can come out of the overflow pipe, then continue siphoning quite a bit out.

I'd highly reccomend a flush as well though, and checking the radiator is clear like Bill said above, it's amazing how much grass/oil etc they catch.

[jonohall]

thanks for the tips. oil isn't milky - that'd mean disaster right?

Im very much a noob. are there any posts with instructions on taking a closer look at the radiator etc in EL's?

thanks

[outback_ute]

Originally Posted by Falcon4L

I have never heard of an overflow pipe anywhere.

The overflow pipe comes off the filler neck of the header tank. (note not overflow tank)

[efgiar]

thermostat and the radiator cap will fix it, might as well flush it and put new coolant in it while ur at it

[XR_Lightning]

Originally Posted by outback_ute

The overflow pipe comes off the filler neck of the header tank. (note not overflow tank)

yes finally someone got the name right, also if the header tank has been overfilled over the maximum line, when the car gets hot the excess coolant will be lost through the cap and/or the overflow pipe and onto the ground, note: coolant will still get through cap even if you have a brand new cap, if this happens the header tank level will be around the minimum line, people make the mistake by thinking that because they see coolant on the ground or dried up on the top of the header tank and the tank is low that they have a coolant leak, most of the time it is a coolant leak, but sometimes not

[jonohall]

yes most of the time it is just the 'header' tank that is not full BUT this time around I poured a couple of jugs of coolant in and the header tank was still empty so its lost alot more than usual.