bubbles coming from overflow?

[AlphaBubbles]

Hello, im new to the site and also bought my first 1998 eclipse gst. Before i purchased the car there was a leak in one of the hoses for coolant so it drained most of it out. We replaced the hose and filled it back up with coolant. I also replaced the radiator cap. I noticed that there were air bubbles coming from the overflow after i would turn the car off. The car doesn't overheat on me but it just seems weird. I was wondering if burping the air out would help but i havent tried that yet. If any one could help me please.

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

Hello, im new to the site and also bought my first 1998 eclipse gst. Before i purchased the car there was a leak in one of the hoses for coolant so it drained most of it out. We replaced the hose and filled it back up with coolant. I also replaced the radiator cap. I noticed that there were air bubbles coming from the overflow after i would turn the car off. The car doesn't overheat on me but it just seems weird. I was wondering if burping the air out would help but i havent tried that yet. If any one could help me please.

Your always supposed to burp the air out, did you check the t stat etc? Are the fans coming on when they're supposed to?

 

[noV8undrDIShood]

+1 for burping. air in the system can be bad news

 

[AlphaBubbles]

the fans come on when they are supposed to yes. and is there a proper way to burp it. i know your supposed to wait untill the engine is cold and then remove the cap and turn it on.

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

Ya fill both the coolant overflow and radiator with 50/50 antifreeze until the engine "burps" and the coolant level may drop so keep an eye on your temp gauge and add coolant to both if needed put the radiator cap back on and go. If the engine runs hot, it may need burped again so you have to wait till it cools down again and repeat the process.

 

[AlphaBubbles]

I did that but the engine doesnt run hot. After I drive for awhile i notice bubbles coming from the overflow. should i just keep burping it?

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

I did that but the engine doesnt run hot. After I drive for awhile i notice bubbles coming from the overflow. should i just keep burping it?

Do the bubbles continue indefinitely? Or, does it bubble as your engine gets up to operating temp, then eventually stop bubbling? Because seeing "some" bubbles as your engine heats up is not abnormal. As the heat gets into the cooling system and causes expansion, thus pushing some air/coolant into the overflow. I'd do a leakdown test.

 

[AlphaBubbles]

while its running there are normally no bubbles just a few here and there. its just after the engine is shut off that you see them.

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

while its running there are normally no bubbles just a few here and there. its just after the engine is shut off that you see them.

Ya I wouldn't worry about it then, if the car isn't overheating then your good.

 

[AlphaBubbles]

I was just concerned because ive heard that it could be a head gasket problem. But i wasnt sure. I think ill still go get a leak down test etc... thanks for your help.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Bubbles in the system normally mean 1 of 2 things. A blown Head Gasket, or A leak. I would check for leaks first before I started worrying myself to death over a head gasket.

Pressurize the cooling system and check for leaks. I had this issue for a few days until I found out that a hose clamp was a bit too big for one of my feed hoses to my turbo. Now it's perfect after I replaced that clamp.

If you're overly worried about it and your car is showing symptoms (Though sometimes it may not), which are usually white smoke, a sweet burning smell, a rapid loss of coolant, oil in the coolant, coolant in the oil, or the vehicle is running poorly...Do a Leakdown test and try to determine if your Head Gasket is blown.

My Policy is to start with the thigns you can readily fix before moving onto more serious issues. In my experience.. it's always something simple that looks like a huge issue.

 

[AlphaBubbles]

Thanks for all of the help. Im going to check for leaks after work today but havent seen any. I might try replacing a few old hose clamps like you said.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Thanks for all of the help. Im going to check for leaks after work today but havent seen any. I might try replacing a few old hose clamps like you said.

Also, make sure to check your overflow bottle itself. Sometimes the sensor in the bottle can lose it's seal and cause a leak that will promote bubbles. Weird, but true.

There are also places it can leak, say, beneath the Thermo housing, that will leak down and run along the frame of your vehicle. They're hard to detect if they do that. Also, if it's leaking onto the block and you're running a 50/50 mixture, it can gel before it even drops to the ground.

 

[AlphaBubbles]

i pressurized it but saw no leaks, no fun ill keep checking

 

[thetalonator]

I was just concerned because ive heard that it could be a head gasket problem. But i wasnt sure. I think ill still go get a leak down test etc... thanks for your help.

yeah if its contunious bubbling n your car spitts n spudders then just put your nose to the overflow n if u smell exhaust fumes u can count on a hg or somethin to that nature. leak down test will tell u everything u need to knw.