I just got my opti put back on and I want to fire the car up to see that I got it put back on properly. Can I fire it up without coolant in the system without hurting anything? I don't want to have to re-drain it all if for some reason the opti wasn't installed properly and I have to take the pump back off and all that jazz. Of course I wouldn't run it long enough for it to overheat. I just want to make sure I wouldn't be introducing a lot of air into the system or something.

 

Yes, you can start it up without collant for a few seconds to check. Now, if we were talking oil here, then no way!

Coolant is designed to remove heat and oil is designed to lubricate. As long as you don't run it long enough to heat up, you'll be fine without coolant.

Thomas.

 

Cool, that's what I thought, but I didn't know if with the reverse flow cooling and all that there might be some complications. I'm gona throw the serpentine on and put some oil in it and then the moment of truth...

 

Hope he remembers to plug all the coolant holes so that it won't pour all over that opti...

 

I've run cars with no coolant before, and I've had no problems.

But to avoid a mess... you might want to run a hose from the coolant inlet to the outlet of the block (so... bypassing the radiator). Unless you have all the coolant out of your block already. If not... it will probably pour out... I think

 

I did double check to make sure all the coolant hoses were hooked up and clamped correctly before I started it, although I doubt there is coolant flow at this point.

It started!! Very minimal backfiring when it comes off a quick rev, but then it's been over a month since the car's been started and it always backfired a little when cold. I'm so happy that it at least starts.

Time to fill the coolant system, need to check up on the proper bleeding techniques so I don't dribble all over my new opti.