Guys, I just had a new radiator (my 98 z28) and added dexcool+water equal proportion. Still the "coolant low" signal keeps showing and the engine is heating up more than normal (way above 100C). Have I put too less of a coolant (i bought a 4-liter can and used it all)? Thanks for your help guys.

 

Have you bled the system properly so that there is no air in the system?

 

You didn't put enough in or didn't bleed it correctly. The car needs to be running, then off, then running, then off, etc.

 

Yes in fact the shop guy did this, and I need to ask him tomorrow if he actually bled it proper. And he says that he ran the engine for a while, but not sure if he ran it and offed it sequentially. How do I ensure the foll:

1. If he didnt bleed it fully, how to complete the bleeding process even after fixing the radiator and pouring the new coolant?

2.If he didnt run it then off then run then etc, should I still complete the process? Note that i have already driven about 60 miles this evening after I picked up the car from the garage.

3. And last, would the 4-liter can of coolant have been enough for my engine, or should I have bought at least two of those cans? And what should be done now?

thanks again.

 

Probably two of the cans. I'd just fill it with water until you can't stick anymore in, then check to see if the light is on.

Mike

 

Sensor.. Most of the 98's had an issue with the coolant sensors. I had mine replaced twice before I stopped having the problem completely (once in 98 and once in 99).

 

With the car cold remove radiator cap. If it's low fill it, leave cap off and start engine, let it idle until the thermostat opens, if level drops keep adding until it won't take any more. Once you get the level correct and your gauge is normal - and if you keep getting the low coolant light (with radiator full) - replace or disconnect the sensor connector.

 

With engine off, disconnect a coolant hose from the t-body (or tb bypass hose). Fill until coolant comes out. The engine is now full.
Reconnect hose and top off radiator. From there I just run it for a while and check the level.

 

right. I topped it up with more of the coolant+water combi and the indicator light is gone, and the engines not overheating anymore. Mayb I m being paranoid, but the guage just shows a wee bit above 100c, whereas earlier it never used to exceed 100c.

My garage guy also says that the cylinder head may have loosened up after the last overheating experience, and to bring the car back to have it properly tightened. Would that do good? Also I now find the tranny + cup-holder area unusually warm. Recently I had the tranny service done. Could anything have gone wrong in the last couple of days?

(Technically I m just a starter so bear with me if my questions sound too elementary! I love my z28 & am making an effort to become an expert at it in future). Thanks for it, guys.

 

Your heater is probably leeking. I havn't used my heater ever so I removed the lines and pluged the water pump. I'm sure you wouldn't need it either in Dubai, you'll loose some weight and get a cleaner engine bay.

 

Ya, I had a guy tell me my head gasket was blown because there was oil in the coolant. Turned out to be my powersteering cooler leaking into it. Don't buy the line.

 

yes I m gonna goto the shop guy tomorrow for this. Should I still let him check the cylinder head? Thanks.

 

shop guy probably rebleed the system ok l guess but l am thinking.. somehow air gets in to your system.. get a new radiator cap (DEFINETELY FROM DEALER ORIGINAL) it is like 7 bucks.. put the new cap on and follow the instructions that l gave below.


-fill the sytem
-start the car untill the heat gauge passes the middle
-stop the car rebleed the system (that time engine will be hot, coolant will be at the bottom, air will be on top so take that air out)
-wait for a couple hours to engine cools down
-start the car again and do the same thing
-your bird will not overheat again


Erdal

 

Right I finally took it to the shop. The guy found a malfunctioned thermostat & replaced it. Drained all coolant, and poured in water to the brim. The guy said run the car for a few days to see if ever there is a overheating or coolant leak (which I suspect is the cause of steamy smoke which came from the hood a couple of times). The guy also said the low coolant light will go off but it's now been 3 days,the engine temp is fine but the coolant light is still on. Is it because of the water (doubt)? I'm going back in a couple of days to fill in the coolant.

 

If the low coolant light is still on after the system has been properly full the sensor is probably malfunctioning; it's either not working or perhaps there is a loose or broken wire at the sensor

Not exactly sure where to find the sensor for you to check but I'm sure someone can