- Joined
- Apr 22, 2021
- Messages
- 101
- Reaction score
- 41
- Points
- 28
- Location
- Spokane, WA
- Vehicle Year
- 2000
- Make / Model
- Ranger XLT
- Engine Type
- V8
- Engine Size
- 5.0
- Transmission
- Automatic
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
- Total Lift
- 3"
- Tire Size
- 245/75R16
I dont have a problem with that, it flows into the overflow when hot "though I have yet to actually see that happen" and the radiator is always full, never any missing. no white smoke, or creamy looking gunk in the oil or underside of the oil cap. and no movement of the glove on the glove test.After it cools down remove rad cap, if there is any air in the rad then you have a problem with head gasket or a leak in the engine side of the system
The overflow type systems lets hot coolant flow OUT and over to the overflow tank when engine is warm
Happens every time you drive longer than say 20min at a time, that's what the COLD and HOT lines on the tank at for
Then after key off as the engine cools down the coolant is SUCKED back in from the overflow tank
So after engine is cold rad should be topped up completely, NO AIR at all
Any air in the engine side of the system will collect at the top of radiator and be PURGED out as engine warms up
This is why the hose from rad to overflow tank comes in at the BOTTOM of the overflow tank
Any air that comes out will bubble up to the top of the tank and be purged
When engine cools down only coolant would be sucked back in
If there is air at the top of rad after cool down then there can be a few things wrong
A leak in the engine side will allow AIR to be sucked back in as engine cools down, sucking in air is way easier than sucking in coolant from the tank
A leak in the overflow hose, it will allow air to be sucked back in
A head or head gasket issue, it pumps in "air" which pushes out too much coolant, so overflow tank gets too full
And it holds a higher pressure so coolant can't be SUCKED back in on cool down
though an interesting side note that i noticed today. while at idle, i can rev the engine up to 2500-3000 rpms and keep it there and the temp will stablize and stay at the same place th whole time i have it up there. the second i drop that down to normal idle the temp sky rockets. idk if thats normal or not.