QuestionQUESTION: i have a 2001 Chrysler 300m 3.5l engine and it overheated i got the thermostat replaced,the coolant container was cracked so i changed it too,and the cap also,there is no leak now,and i don't hear bubbling , but is still overheating i don't know if it's air in the system or what ,can you help me please,thank you.
ANSWER: Hi Juan,
When you refill it you have to do it in such a way as to not trap air in the cooling system. This involves a bleeder valve located on the lower intake manifold, left of center and below the upper intake manifold to which you attach a hose, then open the valve, to route coolant out over the front to collect and re-use to keep filling until full, and also uses a funnel with a septum which allows air to escape as you pour the coolant in, and also you clamp the overflow pipe on the filler bottle. Here is a description of it:
"Close radiator draincock by turning clockwise.
NOTE: IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE COOLING SYSTEM AIR BLEED VALVE BE OPENED BEFORE ANY COOLANT IS ADDED TO THE COOLING SYSTEM. FAILURE TO OPEN THE BLEED VALVE FIRST WILL RESULT IN AN INCOMPLETE FILL OF THE SYSTEM.
Open cooling system bleed valve.
Attach a 6.35 mm (0.250 in.) inside diameter clear hose that is 120.0 cm (48 in.) long to the bleed valve. Route the hose away from accessory drive belts and radiator fan. Position the other end of hose into a collecting container. The hose will prevent coolant from contacting accessory drive belts and other components.
Remove cooling system pressure cap. Attach Special Tool 8195, Filling Aid Funnel to coolant pressure container filler neck.
Use the supplied clip to pinch overflow hose that connects between the two chambers of the pressure container (Cooling System Filling - 2.7L).
Pour coolant into the larger section of Filling Aid Funnel (the smaller section of funnel is to allow air to escape).
Slowly continue filling until a steady stream of coolant flows from attached hose on bleed valve.
Close bleed valve and continue filling system to top of Filling Aid Funnel. DO NOT overtighten. TIghten to 12.4 N·m (110 lbs. in.).
Remove clip from overflow hose.
Allow coolant in Filling Aid Funnel to drain into overflow chamber of pressure container.
Remove Special Tool 8195, Filling Aid Funnel and install pressure cap on pressure container.
Remove hose from bleed valve.
Start engine and allow to run until thermostat opens and radiator fans cycle.
NOTE:
The engine cooling system will push any remaining air into the pressure container within about one half hour of normal driving. As a result, a drop in coolant level in the pressure container may occur.
If the engine cooling system overheats and pushes coolant into the overflow chamber of the pressure container, this coolant will be sucked back into the cooling system ONLY IF THE PRESSURE CAP IS LEFT ON THE PRESSURE CONTAINER. Removing the pressure cap breaks the vacuum path between the two chambers of the pressure container and the coolant will not return to the cooling system.
Shut off engine and allow it to cool down. This permits coolant to be drawn into the pressure chamber.
With engine COLD, observe coolant level in pressure chamber. Coolant level should be within MIN and MAX marks. Adjust coolant level as necessary.
Once the system is filled properly the funnel is not needed until it has been drained and needs refilling."
If that procedure doesn't solve the overheating, then you might have a radiator that is partially plugged up that needs to be power flushed or if clogged too much, replaced. Try the refill that avoids the air.
I can xerox copy and mail you 4 pages that shows images of the valve, etc. Just tell me a postal mailing address and I will send these to you.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: thank you Mr Roland my mailing address is 1390 sw 6th st apt #2 miami fl. 33135,
ANSWER: Hi Juan,
Here is a revision of the filling procedure that describes the specifics for the 3.5L engine:
Close the radiator draincock by turning it to the 3 o'clock position.
Open cooling system bleed valve. This valve is located on the lower intake manifold at the front of the engine, left of center. Look for the valve near the spark coil for the #2 cylinder, looking down from above in the open space between the outer wide portion of the upper manifold and the pipe that inlets intake air to the #2 cylinder.
Attach a 6.35 mm (0.250 in.) inside diameter clear hose that is 120.0 cm (48 in.) long to the bleed valve. Route the hose away from accessory drive belts and radiator fan. Position the other end of hose into a collecting container. The hose will prevent coolant from contacting accessory drive belts and other components.
Remove cooling system pressure cap. Attach Special Tool 8195, Filling Aid Funnel to coolant pressure container filler neck. This funnel has a septum that splits into a wider and narrower opening.
Use the supplied clip to pinch overflow hose that connects between the two chambers of the pressure container
Pour coolant into the larger section of Filling Aid Funnel (the smaller section of funnel is to allow air to escape).
Slowly continue filling until a steady stream of coolant flows from attached hose on bleed valve.
Close bleed valve and continue filling system to top of Filling Aid Funnel. DO NOT overtighten. TIghten to 12.4 N·m (110 lbs. in.).
Remove clip from overflow hose.
Allow coolant in Filling Aid Funnel to drain into overflow chamber of pressure container.
Remove Special Tool 8195, Filling Aid Funnel and install pressure cap on pressure container.
Remove hose from bleed valve.
Start engine and allow to run until thermostat opens and radiator fans cycle.
NOTE:
The engine cooling system will push any remaining air into the pressure container within about one half hour of normal driving. As a result, a drop in coolant level in the pressure container may occur.
If the engine cooling system overheats and pushes coolant into the overflow chamber of the pressure container, this coolant will be sucked back into the cooling system ONLY IF THE PRESSURE CAP IS LEFT ON THE PRESSURE CONTAINER. Removing the pressure cap breaks the vacuum path between the two chambers of the pressure container and the coolant will not return to the cooling system.
Shut off engine and allow it to cool down. This permits coolant to be drawn into the pressure chamber.
With engine COLD, observe coolant level in pressure chamber. Coolant level should be within MIN and MAX marks. Adjust coolant level as necessary.
The coolant bottle has two chambers. Coolant will normally only be in the inboard (smaller) of the two. The outboard chamber is only to recover coolant in the event of an overheat or after a recent service fill. The outboard chamber should normally be empty. If there is coolant in the overflow side or the coolant bottle (after several cold/warm cycles of the engine) and coolant level is within the min/max marks, disconnect the overflow hose at the filler neck and lower it into a clean container. Allow coolant to drain into the container until emptied. Reconnect hose to filler neck.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: hello Mr Roland ,after i performed the procedure of filling it was still overheating,so i changed the radiator myself, i installed a new one,but it overheats ,what steps should i take ,if it's air ,how can i take it out ?it's not leaking and the fans are working fine.
AnswerHi Juan,
Can you tell me more about what are the symptoms of overheating that you experience? How soon after starting does the gauge get to the H level, assuming it goes all the way to the top?
Are you getting blow off of steam from the overflow bottle?
Do you see any white smoke come out the exhaust pipe when you first start the engine from a cold shut down situation?
Is the oil in crankcase normal in appearance?
How much coolant are you loosing per 10 miles of driving?
Is it possible that one of your brakes is dragging (did you feel the wheels after driving a few miles to check whether any are hot?
Those are all symptoms of problems with cooling that are caused by different things, so please look into all those and let me know the answers to the above questions.
If you used the bleeder valve and bleeder hose to collect cooland, and filled it with the divided type of funnel, and pinched shut the overflow hose, then that should have solved the air in the system problem. But if you didn't have the split funnel, or didn't pinch the overflow hose. or didn't fill it until you got steady flow out of the bleeder valve hose, then you still could have allowed air to get into the system so you would want to drain it and try again.
Roland
