Overheating problem

[smudvapor]

I cracked a head on the passenger side of the engine. I replaced the head with a new head, new gaskets, bolts etc. I replaced the thermostat and checked to make sure it was in the right way. I flushed the system and replaced the water pump with a new one not a rebuild. I start the engine and let it warm up slowly adding coolant. It fills up and the when the thermostat opens it lets me add more. My heater blows nice a hot. (by the way I pulled that and flushed that too) I take the truck down the road and it heats up QUICK. So fast that it fills the over flow tank and spills out all over the place, at the same time I have not hot air coming out of the heater. I get it home and it is full of pressure so high that I cannot squeeze the hoses. This time after I rechecked everything the pressure took the radiator out, now I have to replace that too. What the heck? I checked the head gaskets when I put it on so I know it is the correct one. The only thing that I can think of is the possibility that my other head could also be cracked and exhaust is getting in to the system causing the pressure. There are no bubbles in the coolant and I cannot smell exhaust. Any ideas?

88 2.9 2wd manual

 

[RonD]

Reads like something didn't go together right.

A Cooling system has no pressure when cold.
Pressure only comes after engine warms up and is under load, that's when coolant expands and pressure builds.

Leave rad cap off and run engine until warmed up, keep coolant topped up.
It shouldn't overflow just idling.

You can try the Glove test
Coil unplugged
Latex glove over rad cap opening, overflow tube blocked
Crank engine and watch glove

Video here of a leaking head gasket, didn't use a glove but it was latex, lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFGquUimXro&feature=youtu.be

 

[smudvapor]

Too late tonight to check but I will do that tomorrow after work. Thanks.

 

[adsm08]

Also, coolant level should drop slightly when the engine is started. If she heats up quick, you might have lost all your water pump fins.

 

[smudvapor]

Also, coolant level should drop slightly when the engine is started. If she heats up quick, you might have lost all your water pump fins.

Has a brand new water pump in it.

 

[mean machine]

how about an air pocket????

 

[mean machine]

i kept having overheating issues and i cut the return hose from the heater and put one of the t's you get with the prestone flush kit in it and when i filled it i left cap off till coolant came out also i drilled an 1/8 inch hole in thermostat to let air pass seemed to work for me

 

[smudvapor]

Did that also. I am starting to think that I cracked the other head. That is the only other thing that I can think of.

 

[RonD]

Do the glove test.

If glove inflates, so there is a leak, you can then ID which Head/cylinder has the leak.
With glove still in place, remove one spark plug at a time and crank engine, when glove stops inflating then the last cylinder you removed the spark plug from is the one with the leak/crack.
re-install that spark plug and crank engine to confirm