V1 Purging Air from Coolant System

[finazzoty]

Anyone have suggestions on purging air bubbles from the coolant loop? I keep overheating and noticed the radiator is freezing. The water pump is fine so it seems to me that there must be an air bubble or 2 in the system. I’ve tried the suggested procedure from DF with no luck.

 

[Gtstorey]

Confirm it's not a bad thermostat or temp sensor.

Then buy a vacuum coolant fill tool.

 

[KSLunsfo]

Or try this:
http://dfkitcar.com/forum/index.php?threads/joshs-city-goblin-10-xfe-donor.1121/post-94209

It does work! This is also what I did to force trapped air out and get things flowing properly.
There's various posts about this buried throughout the forum.

 

[jirwin]

Or try this:
http://dfkitcar.com/forum/index.php?threads/joshs-city-goblin-10-xfe-donor.1121/post-94209

It does work! This is also what I did to force trapped air out and get things flowing properly.
There's various posts about this buried throughout the forum.

It does work, but not if you have a leaking head gasket. I'm planning on using a vacuum coolant filler so I don't warp the head again lol.

 

[KSLunsfo]

It does work, but not if you have a leaking head gasket. I'm planning on using a vacuum coolant filler so I don't warp the head again lol.

Definitely have to keep an eye on things and make sure you're not overheating!

 

[Joebob]

What I just did without issue is:

• have the back end raised more than the front by several inches. The more the better but be safe
• loosen to have no pressure seal on the overflow tank
• Fill the passenger radiator hose until full with it disconnected from the engine. Carefull when putting back on as coolant will want to pour out.
• Fill the overflow container until half full.
• With the hood off, loosen the hose clamp on the top connection to the radiator.
• gently push a small screw driver between the radiator outlet and the hose to break the seal but don't damage the hose or radiator. This lets the upper radiator air escape and draws in coolant from the overflow tank.
• Replace hose clamp to ensure tight seal
• refill overflow tank to half full
• lower car back down to level
• start car and let warm up to operating level so thermostat opens (185-190F) this is with cap loose but on
• rev the engine a few times to about 2000 rpm but some say needs to be closer to 4000.
• check coolant level
• shut off engine and refill coolant to half full.
• screw down cap tight

I just changed the passenger side radiator hose so I had to drain the coolant. I replaced all but about 1 ounce of fluid from what I drained out this way.

Joe

 

[jirwin]

On topic, does anyone remember what car our radiator is from? I think its a late 90's Civic if I recall. If I could find a radiator with a cap or bleed at the top that would fit I would gladly swap it out

 

[Joebob]

I think the original early kits were a civic radiator but have since moved to a bespoke DF design without the radiator cap.

 

[jirwin]

Dang

 

[Gtstorey]

Radiator specifications and sourcing | DF Kit Car Forum

 

[95Blitz]

I think the original early kits were a civic radiator but have since moved to a bespoke DF design without the radiator cap.

I'm thinking more it's more than likely an off the shelf design.

 

[Gtstorey]

You could always have a weld shop or radiator shop weld on a fitting.
Aluminum, 1/8 in x 1/8 in Fitting Pipe Size, Half Coupling - 60PW48|ZUSA-PF-9441 - Grainger
Aluminum, 1/8 in Fitting Pipe Size, Square Head Plug - 60PX85|ZUSA-PF-9577 - Grainger

 

[jirwin]

I've been thinking about getting a new one anyway since I painted mine black (Eastwood Radiator paint) and its flaking a bit. I can't powerwash it or it looks worse so the radiator is just full of all sorts of crap. I think a new rad + a black grille would meet my aesthetic requirements. Might just order a cheap EvilBay one and send it

 

[Robinjo]

You could just contact DF to see what they modeled it off of?

 

[Mahkoi]

I've been thinking about getting a new one anyway since I painted mine black (Eastwood Radiator paint) and its flaking a bit. I can't powerwash it or it looks worse so the radiator is just full of all sorts of crap. I think a new rad + a black grille would meet my aesthetic requirements. Might just order a cheap EvilBay one and send it

This is what I put in mine after I stabbed the original one with the hood bracket. It fits. Had to lightly bend on of the brake hoses to clear where the overflow nipple sticks out. Doesn't look like it's in stock but might point you in the right direction.

Edit: looks like the same thing gtstorey linked. So I have offered nothing of value.

3-Row 60mm Racing Cooling Radiator Compatible with Honda Civic Del Sol Acura Integra EJ EK EG DB DC MT 92-01, Full Aluminum https://a.co/d/eRkBkJX

 

[jirwin]

This is what I put in mine after I stabbed the original one with the hood bracket. It fits. Had to lightly bend on of the brake hoses to clear where the overflow nipple sticks out. Doesn't look like it's in stock but might point you in the right direction.

Edit: looks like the same thing gtstorey linked. So I have offered nothing of value.

3-Row 60mm Racing Cooling Radiator Compatible with Honda Civic Del Sol Acura Integra EJ EK EG DB DC MT 92-01, Full Aluminum https://a.co/d/eRkBkJX

Thanks! Did you use it the cap/vent when bleeding?

 

[Ross]

If you use the cap to vent, it is about 1/2 thru the engine height, so it will leak coolant.
Just buy a high temperature radiator cap, and then it shouldn't vent first... if too hot. Otherwise your passenger might get coolant on them. Ask me how I know.

 

[Mahkoi]

Thanks! Did you use it the cap/vent when bleeding?

Nope. Amazon again. It was a garage tool I'd wanted for a while so the Goblin just pushed me over the edge of buying it. If your cruising down 75 by the Clarkston area in the near future you are welcome to grab it. It's not something I use regularly so if it disappeared for a bit it wouldn't bother me.

OEMTOOLS 24444 Coolant System Refiller Kit, 5 Adapters, Eliminate Trapped Air, Test Radiator and Heating Core Lines for Leaks, Vacuum Fill Coolant Tool, Vacuum Leak Tester, Multi https://a.co/d/6rFFNB9

 

[Gtstorey]

Nope. Amazon again. It was a garage tool I'd wanted for a while so the Goblin just pushed me over the edge of buying it. If your cruising down 75 by the Clarkston area in the near future you are welcome to grab it. It's not something I use regularly so if it disappeared for a bit it wouldn't bother me.

OEMTOOLS 24444 Coolant System Refiller Kit, 5 Adapters, Eliminate Trapped Air, Test Radiator and Heating Core Lines for Leaks, Vacuum Fill Coolant Tool, Vacuum Leak Tester, Multi https://a.co/d/6rFFNB9

also available from Harbor Freight ,

 

[finazzoty]

also available from Harbor Freight ,

Well I went and picked one of these up yesterday and built the negative pressure up to about 25 on the gauge, and it seemed to work perfectly. Cranked the car, still same issue. Then thought ok, must be the thermostat. Brand new thermostat, same issue. Really starting to scratch my head on this one. I did notice yesterday that there was some coolant that had sprayed out of somewhere down onto the intermediate shaft. I started poking around and realized, after playing around with the ZZP water pipe, if you push the pipe towards the water pump, some coolant will spurt out around the seal between the water pump and the water pipe. I wonder if somehow this could have something to do with the issue, but I doubt it (there has always been a little bit of side to side play in this pipe)