Air in system...81 GTSi | FerrariChat
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Air in system...81 GTSi

Discussion in '308/328' started by desire308, May 29, 2008.

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  1. desire308

    desire308 Formula 3

    Oct 19, 2007
    1,433
    Florida
    Full Name:
    Peter W
    #1 desire308, May 29, 2008
    Last edited: May 29, 2008
    I have been working thru a problem with my system. I have cold bled both the thermostat housing and radiator till no air and steady flow. I bring the motor up to temp with the expansion cap off and blead the radiator, it tends to always have a little air no matter how much I bleed it. It will run clear for about 5 seconds, spit, repeat. If I shut the car down after a moderate stint it will spit coolant out of the overflow, and it's foamy. Go to the radiator bleed valve and it's the same thing.

    I have checked all hose connections and can only deduct that air may be getting in from the expasion tank [I had it repaired recently].Any one have this experiance with the foamy overflow? The car isn't overheating, just runs a tad hot at times in 90/90 weather down here. FYI : I also ordered a speed bleeder for the thermostat housing so I can bleed it hot.
     
  2. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

    Feb 15, 2001
    4,367
    NY
    #2 Steve King, May 30, 2008
    Foam would imply either cavatation from the waterpump or exhaust gases in the cooling system or maybe a bad thermostat. I would get the system tested for an exhaust leak. The just stick a probe in the expansion tank and detect if there are any exhaust gases in the system. This will just be a check/verification to make sure you are OK here. Also did you bleed the system with your heater valves full open. Other then that I can't think of any other area to look at. Others should chime in here with different places to look. Good luck
     
  3. desire308

    desire308 Formula 3

    Oct 19, 2007
    1,433
    Florida
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    Peter W
    #3 desire308, May 30, 2008
    Last edited: May 30, 2008
    So cavatation would be caused by mis alignment of the pully?

    Also...circulation to the expansion tank is immediate...is this normal or is it only supposed to occur when the tstat opens?

    Would a pinhole in the tank cause this?
     
  4. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

    Feb 18, 2005
    2,800
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    F683
    #4 eulk328, May 30, 2008

    Cavitation would not be caused by pulley mis-alignment. Yes, there should always be "strong" circulation in the expansion tank. It is not dependent on thermostat position. This would also tend to indicate that your pump is working fairly well, I would think.

    I don't think a pinhole leak in the tank would cause this. In any event it should not be difficult to locate a pinhole if there is one on the tank.

    Describe "foamy" a bit more. Do you mean bubbly or more like discolored foamy coolant (milky or gray color)?
     
  5. luckydynes

    luckydynes F1 Rookie

    Jan 25, 2004
    3,931
    CA and OR
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    pit bull
    #5 luckydynes, May 30, 2008
    a pin hole leak would be letting pressure out of your system which might be allowing some localized boiling somewhere . .. just a thought.
     
  6. desire308

    desire308 Formula 3

    Oct 19, 2007
    1,433
    Florida
    Full Name:
    Peter W
    #6 desire308, May 30, 2008
    The coolant is pretty much as it looks out of the container. Foamy only in that there are a lot of fine air bubbles spitting out. The "foam" is pretty clear.
     
  7. desire308

    desire308 Formula 3

    Oct 19, 2007
    1,433
    Florida
    Full Name:
    Peter W
    #7 desire308, Jun 5, 2008
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2008
    Picked up Verell's T Stat bleeder...helped a bit getting the air out. Looks to be fairly normal temps considering the temps down here today. On the exhaust leak question...I do detect a sound that sounds like a leak but not from the header [I could be wrong]. Sort of a sputtering sound from below at idle and a slight miss. Hard to pinpoint with it bouncing off the pavement. It all goes away as soon as I give it some throttle.

    Could it also be coming from the disabled air injection lines [capped at the hard lines] ?
     

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