air lock

[chin_dude]

I was changing my stat to a 160 unit, was late to fill the rad when the stat opened, now I have air lock, tried filling the heater core and the line that goes to the intake, Would pulling the stat out and filling it up help? Anyone else goof up like this?

 

[Nick Micale]

This is no big deal. Take the cap off your radiator. Start the car and let it run until the thermostat opens. Add water as needed while running for 10-15 minutes after thermostat opens. Good idea to check water level after it has cooled, like next morning.

 

[chin_dude]

I've done that, when the stat opens i can't add any water,

 

[Nick Micale]

If your thermostat is not screwed up, there is no way you can have an air lock in the cooling system if it was working before. Is it pushing water out the open rad? Why do you say there is an air lock?

 

[steve hughes]

drilling a small hole in the thermostat will eliminate any chance of an air lock. I allways drill a 1/16" hole in them.

 

[Nick Micale]

I drill holes in them too Steve, but not seen a problem w/o it.

 

[gofstbuick]

Try leaving a funnel partially filled with coolant in the radiator neck until the T stat opens. Then accelerate to 2000 rpm, when the coolant level will drops, remove the funnel and cap it. Also, as stated above, a small hole (drilled on the face of the t stat) on the t stat will help.

 

[steve hughes]

Something else you can do is fill it all the way then pressurerise it with a cooling system tester. Then start the car up with the heater on and bring the rpms up to about 2500 or so for a minute or two then top it off.