- Joined
- Apr 30, 2024
- Messages
- 862
- City
- Moncton NB
- Vehicle Year
- 2005
- Engine
- 3.0 V6
- Transmission
- Automatic
I did my timing cover a while back and I've been watching the system since then and it does a couple interesting things.
First off, I realize now that the truck was never building any pressure before the fix, and now it obviously does, which is good. One morning I went out and checked when the engine was cold and the upper rad hose was still hard, which I found strange, and when I opened the rad cap coolant sprayed out. Just that one time, hasn't done it since.
However, I've noticed a few times since then when I checked in the morning that there's obviously an air/gas bubble in the upper hose. You give it a shake and you can hear the coolant splashing around. Also, the coolant level in the reservoir is half an inch higher than normal.
Here's the fun part though. Obviously my first thought is I have a head gasket going. But I'll use the truck for a couple hours and check the next morning and the coolant level is back to bang on and the bubble is gone. This has happened a few times now.
So, why is this bubble forming? If it's not a head gasket (which there is no other evidence it is, coolant level is perfect long-term) then it's gotta be sucking air from somewhere right? The only thing I can think of is rad cap. But then where is the air going and how is it returning to normal? Anyone have any other theories? This is mostly a thought experiment at this point.
EDIT: Oh I guess I should add, yes, it was burped properly at the start, no bubbles.
First off, I realize now that the truck was never building any pressure before the fix, and now it obviously does, which is good. One morning I went out and checked when the engine was cold and the upper rad hose was still hard, which I found strange, and when I opened the rad cap coolant sprayed out. Just that one time, hasn't done it since.
However, I've noticed a few times since then when I checked in the morning that there's obviously an air/gas bubble in the upper hose. You give it a shake and you can hear the coolant splashing around. Also, the coolant level in the reservoir is half an inch higher than normal.
Here's the fun part though. Obviously my first thought is I have a head gasket going. But I'll use the truck for a couple hours and check the next morning and the coolant level is back to bang on and the bubble is gone. This has happened a few times now.
So, why is this bubble forming? If it's not a head gasket (which there is no other evidence it is, coolant level is perfect long-term) then it's gotta be sucking air from somewhere right? The only thing I can think of is rad cap. But then where is the air going and how is it returning to normal? Anyone have any other theories? This is mostly a thought experiment at this point.
EDIT: Oh I guess I should add, yes, it was burped properly at the start, no bubbles.
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