Engine starts runs good after the throttle found itself.
Problem
Put in Soft spring thermostat but truck slowly overheats. I shut it off at 208F the small hose going to the expansion tank from the top of the radiator was dripping. Put new hose on (See pics) couldn't pull it off but it still drips and engine overheats. Does this look broken or sawed off seems a bit short to hold pressure from the radiator.
My Plan is to pull thermostat and drop in boiling water. It's a moto rad . I should have sent them back. Plan on trying to bleed more air if there is any.
When the head gasket went the engine had overheated because I left the cap off accidentally . I put coolant in it and went to the service place near here. It had started overheating again. but the guy at the service place used a contraption to suck all the coolant and air out of the system and then release coolant in the engine using the vacuum created but the gadget. It didn't over heat after that.
Do Parts stores "lend" these? Or am I barking up the wrong tree.
IS there anything else i should look for
I am concerned about the length of the nipple on top of the radiator but much more concerned about stopping it from overheating . I had the top fan shroud off also. Radiator temp had about 5 degrees temp diff top to bottom. I think?/ I took several readings and got different results. But none more that 10 F.
Guys Please let me know what you think. This is frustratingf getting it running only for it to overheat.

 

Make sure you bleed the air out of the system first! If you have done this and checked the t stat and the radiator cap then you are getting exhaust gas in the coolant system. It happened to me same thing you are saying. I did head gasket 30 days later had the same issue.

 

Yes, if you dont do the bleed procedure correctly, you'll leave air in and the thermostat wont open.

After you get the air out of the bleeder and put the screw in, make sure you fill the coolant bottle all they way to the top.

 

I bled the system till nothing but green came out I had it tied up higher than the bleed screw but I didn't fill the tank to the top.
Does it look like the little nipple on the radiator was broken or sawed off? Or should there not be very much pressure on there? Or maybe it;s the expansion tank cap?
Thanks

 

Buy a test kit to see if you have exhaust gasses in your coolant. Couldn't tell you at the moment if that tube is too short or not. Will take a look at mine when I get a chance and let you know if someone else doesn't answer first.

 

Nipple will be brittle also. Use care.

As for temp, when you crank up cold, the coolant temp would be expected to overshoot the thermostat, which then begins to cycle open close or partial closed, and temps should drop. At 212F the electric fans come on, so that is an expected temp in hot weather with AC on. In other words, you may have shut down too soon. That first thermostat operation will always be higher, you are watching a wax pellet melt with digital precision. Does it maintain better temps at 50-60 mph? Fan clutch firm? Fan belt routed right? Fan sucks a paper towel against grille?

If coolant cap is not holding speced pressure, you could allow coolant to boil (pressure reduces boiling point) and just from regular pressure coolant could vent as you parade down the boulevard.

 

Use the bleed system the Discovery I uses.

Raise the coolant tank.
As high as possible.
Keep it raised.

TAKE THE CAP OFF OF IT.

Run the engine around 1,500 for 8 minutes.

If antifreeze blows out the top of the tank, then you have combustion gasses, head gasket problems still.

IF not -
The level will go down as the air comes out

Let the engine idle.
Fill the tank to the fill line.
Turn off engine.
Replace lid into tank.

Lower tank.
Done.
You have then NEVER touched the evil bleed screw.

 

I will try the Expansion tank cap from the 04 .

"Buy a test kit to see if you have exhaust gasses in your coolant"
I'm not ready to go that route yet. I really hope my head gaskets lasted longer than 20 minutes. .

Buzz ,
Should I let the temp go past 212 F? I don't want it to go much past that.
I wouldn't think. I have seen this truck do this before until all the air was cleared . I'm going to try again to bleed it before I start it and let it heat up.
Looked at the belt Not sure how it would be routed wrong ?? Smooth side to smooth side on the pulleys I'm sure it's right but It could be like the 2x4 I cut the other day I cut it twice and it was still too short. .

Jfall I will try this also. If the head gasket is the problem, 99 for sale I'm not doing it again, The lovely Ms. Slabrat would just not understand. Here's hoping. THe heads were machined and tested they went back in easily it all felt good I hope this is not it.
Thnx

Thanks again I hope I get home in time to try some of this stuff tonight.

 

If your head gasket came out Ok, then the bleed will hold and you drive a year with no strange noises or issues.

 

I haven't been able to get back to it for a few days. Hope too tomorrow. I have bled and bled from the bleed screw with tank elevated. I had this trouble before and had a guy use a tool to create a vacuum on the cooling system and refill with the vacuum. I may try the elevating the tank and running the engine and try to get the air out as you suggested. Not sure why this is hasn't worked. I had the line to the top of the EX Tank off and elevated maybe that was the reason?? I put the heads back on by the book after having them milled and tested. I think they are good since I had this bleed problem before.
I will try again tomorrow.