Engine Performance This section is for discussion on all engine building related questions.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: KPower

Purging air from cooling system

Old 02-15-2009, 01:27 PM
  #1  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (46)
 
Stein's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 4,729
Total Cats: 166
Default Purging air from cooling system

I'm in the process of idle tuning my Adaptronic and my coolant temps are hitting 85C, the fan is kicking on and the temps keep going up. I shut the car off when they hit 96 C (about 200*) This is with a new Koyo that I put in. I assume that there is air in the system locking it up. The upper radiator hose is squishy and cool when the fan kicks on at 185*. I assume the thermostat is opening as I drove the car right up to the point where I started the turbo build. The radiator is barely warm. Turbo lines are hot. The thermostat housing is hot but the hose side is cool.

What's the best way to purge the system?
Stein is offline  
Old 02-15-2009, 01:42 PM
  #2  
Elite Member
iTrader: (17)
 
TonyV's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NY
Posts: 1,615
Total Cats: 2
Default

I was told to run the car with the cap off for 15min or so, and keep topping it off. Worked for me, saw lots o bubbles come up/out.
TonyV is offline  
Old 02-15-2009, 01:46 PM
  #3  
Elite Member
iTrader: (16)
 
patsmx5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,292
Total Cats: 475
Default

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.

Remove the radiator cap, put a floor jack under the front end, pick it up as high as you can. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Add water because some air has came out and it's now low. Drop front end 1/2 way and run the motor with the heater on at about 2500 RPMs.

I did this last time I had to fill the cooling system and for the first time ever, it got all the air out and didn't overheat on me. I was amazed.
patsmx5 is offline  
Old 02-15-2009, 01:51 PM
  #4  
Elite Member
iTrader: (13)
 
cjernigan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 8,091
Total Cats: 7
Default

I just let it run with the heater blaring until it's up to temp with the cap off. My parking spot has a but of an incline anyway or I pull the car on ramps. Same as everyone else, let it reach temp and top it off.
cjernigan is offline  
Old 02-15-2009, 01:52 PM
  #5  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (46)
 
Stein's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 4,729
Total Cats: 166
Default

Yeah, I had the cap on. It's still on jackstands, so I'll drop the rear and let it burp.

BTW, the Apdaptronic IS PnP, and realtively easy to tune. Got the idle cells done and starting on no load tuning to 3K. Hope to start auto tuning on the road--maybe yet today. Looks like a good ECU.
Stein is offline  
Old 02-15-2009, 10:46 PM
  #6  
y8s
2 Props,3 Dildos,& 1 Cat
iTrader: (8)
 
y8s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Fake Virginia
Posts: 19,338
Total Cats: 573
Default

i just flushed mine recently. from cold, take the rad cap off and start the car. turn the heater on. you can blip the throttle and it'll pump faster. make sure you wait til the T-stat opens too. it might take 10-15 minutes to get up to temp. keep filling as it warms up. watch that you dont over-fill. though if you leave a funnel in there (and the funnel has a little water in it), it's ok. ... because...

when you shut the car off and let it sit, it should suck that water back in.

cap it and fill your reservoir.

good to go!
y8s is offline  
Old 02-15-2009, 11:07 PM
  #7  
Tour de Franzia
iTrader: (6)
 
hustler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Republic of Dallas
Posts: 29,085
Total Cats: 375
Default

swirlpot + test = nguyen
hustler is offline  
Old 02-17-2009, 04:49 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
j_man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 741
Total Cats: 20
Default

No need to turn the heater on. Coolant circulates through the Miata heater full time.
j_man is offline  
Old 02-17-2009, 10:40 AM
  #9  
y8s
2 Props,3 Dildos,& 1 Cat
iTrader: (8)
 
y8s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Fake Virginia
Posts: 19,338
Total Cats: 573
Default

Originally Posted by hustler
swirlpot + test = nguyen
I once randomly met a guy named Nguyen Nguyen. he had quite the positive demeanor. turns out he worked with a friend at Cisco.

Originally Posted by j_man
No need to turn the heater on. Coolant circulates through the Miata heater full time.
Aha, that'll make it easier on hot days. I was thinking Ford Escort from 1983.
y8s is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Full_Tilt_Boogie
Build Threads
84
04-12-2021 04:21 PM
tazswing
Race Prep
20
10-03-2015 11:04 AM
Aroundcorner
Miata parts for sale/trade
2
10-01-2015 03:20 PM
shooterschmidty
Engine Performance
8
09-30-2015 10:28 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Purging air from cooling system



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:23 PM.