after thermostat change, coolant in upper rad hose

[George Gallen]

I just finished changing the thermostat on a GM 3100 1999 Malibu.
Filled the system with coolant. Ran the engine, turned on the heat – which is quite toasty.
However, what i’m not sure about is if I squeeze the upper radiator hose, it feels like there
is not a lot of fluid in it. Nothing is leaking.

Should it be more full?

Thanks
GG

Topic

[Sean]

[quote=”gginnj” post=156741]I just finished changing the thermostat on a GM 3100 1999 Malibu.
Filled the system with coolant. Ran the engine, turned on the heat – which is quite toasty.
However, what i’m not sure about is if I squeeze the upper radiator hose, it feels like there
is not a lot of fluid in it. Nothing is leaking.

Should it be more full?

Thanks
GG[/quote]

Did you bleed the system?
If so, don’t worry a little bit of give on the upper rad hose even when its hot is fine. Just make sure when it cools down to pull off the rad cap and see if the coolant is up to the top. If not, then you have a problem. Dunno if you have an overflow tank, but fill that up too. Wish I knew a way to get rid of the air between the overflow tank and the rad.

[George Gallen]

This engine has a self bleeding system from the thermostat housing, it goes back to the overfill container.
I opened the bleeder valve on the water pump when I added the coolant, and ran the engine for about 10 minutes with it open,
it wasn’t spraying coolant but there was a little coolant when I closed the valve.

The coolant level is still good. I only have a pressurized cap on the overflow, none on the radiator at all.

The heat works great now, and the temp gauge stayed midline. I don’t remember if the upper hose felt fuller before, so it could be normal.

GG

[Author]

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