Air in the coolant system??

 

How would / could I remedy that with coolant not circulating through the engine?

 

The way i did it on my car, is that i pulled the radiator cap off when the motor is cold, and started it up. I let it run till operating temperature, you'll notice alot of steam coming out of the radiator if there is alot of air in the system. Be sure to have some water/coolant mix on hand as it will splash out bleeding out as its running. Have someone watch the temp gauge while doing this as its very difficult doing two things at once. Also turn on your heat so the coolant can circulate though the heater core also. When the steam dies out and the radiator appears to be flowing well and topped off with coolant, you're pretty much set. Thats how i did it with mine and it worked.

 

Today when I was testing the new thermostat I had the cap off of the radiator, because I was going to bleed it. But, the thing is the coolant isn't ciruclating through the engine, it's just sitting there in the radiator. I left the cap off until the stock gauge read about 3 or 4 notchs below red, and the coolant in the radiator never got hot, never did anything. I turned the car off at that point. Could this be because I installed the thermostat upside down? With the loose screw type thing down instead of up?

 

Just noticed you had a 1jz, i'm not sure on how that coolant system is exactly setup, but on the MKIV's its almost impossible to install the thermostat backwards.

 

Well I'm using a 2jz waterpump so it's basically the same in that regard. By installing it upside down I meant with that really little loose screw type thing down, towards the ground, but I read elsewhere on the forums, that is supposed to be up. I'm thinking I installed it upside down.

 

Switch it and let me know how it goes.

 

Will do, thanks a lot for your help man.

 

Ever consider that the radiator is blocked at some point?

 

That's a possibility but the coolant is making it to the stat. I know this b/c I emptied the radiator but removing the lower hose once and yeah, it's defintely making it through the radiator.

What I've concluded, the thermostat was in wrong, the jiggle valve wasn't lined up, and there is air in the system that couldn't escape, so I lined the thermostat up correctly, and am going to try everything again. Might even try a pressure flush. Will update once I get it all figured out.

 

whats that jiggle thing supposed to do anyways????

I had the same problem. I think it was because I *thought* I had plenty of fluid when I first installed the radaitor. As it turned out, I never totally filled it and the the system didnt have enough fluid to drain through the upper radiator hose into the block. I still think I have some minor issues. I think I will bleed the bubbles again. I still get alot of steam when the cap is off.

 

whats that jiggle thing supposed to do anyways????

I had the same problem. I think it was because I *thought* I had plenty of fluid when I first installed the radaitor. As it turned out, I never totally filled it and the the system didnt have enough fluid to drain through the upper radiator hose into the block. I still think I have some minor issues. I think I will bleed the bubbles again. I still get alot of steam when the cap is off.

Doesn't the coolant flow into the radiator through the upper hose?

And I think the jiggle valve allows trapped air to escape, but I could be wrong.

 

The thermostat needs to reach temp before it opens , once it opens it should flow through the radiator. Sounds like you have a vacuum in the system and needs burping. Park the car on an incline nose on upside, keep the cap off and let it run up to temp. Keep adding fluid as needed (turn your heat on high).
Let the system burp itself or you can use a vacuum pump if anyone has one available. Watch your temp gauge and check for heat in the car.

 

Did you ever figure out the problem I'm having exact problem happening to mine.