Need some advice on coolant system

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Good Morning and thanks again for all the tips. I headed off to find some Peak Global Lifetime, thats what they said they used.

I'm goind to flush by the radiator only today, since my handicap won't allow me to crawl around too much.

I'm not sure if I am making myself completey clear. The car is not actually smoking or anything, and the temp gauge never really goes past the half way mark. It's just that it gets to that mark, about 2-3 miles down the road, and then stops climbing.

Honestly, I have been afraid to drive more than 10 miles to see what would happen.

Just for the fun of it, I'm also going to change out all the fuse's in the engine compartment, that are related to the cooling sytem. I figure it can't hurt, and it maybe a little in the way of preventive maintanice.

Thanks again, and please keep the ideas coming, becuase with my luck, none of the above is going to solve my problem
frown.gif
 
If by half-way you mean in between the normal lines, then that is perfectly fine. As long as it's not near the red "hot" mark and not near the white "cold" mark, then there's no harm being done. Mine takes about 2-3 miles of driving to get to the middle (in between the "normal" lines) and then it stabilizes.
 
quote:
Originally posted by ConfederateTyrant:
If by half-way you mean in between the normal lines, then that is perfectly fine. As long as it's not near the red "hot" mark and not near the white "cold" mark, then there's no harm being done. Mine takes about 2-3 miles of driving to get to the middle (in between the "normal" lines) and then it stabilizes.
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I guess that is kind of good news. But why does the gauge still read in the low area, after sitting for 5 hours after only going 3 miles?

I was unable to get a lot done today, due to the fact that I tries to replace my PVC and the elbow hose craked right in half. Since it's Sunday, it's now put back together with electric and duct tape, untill I can get to the GM place tmrw. No auto parts store has it in stock
mad.gif


Also, for the life of me, I can not find a way to replace the Radiator cap, or how to refill the radiator after I drain it, so my idea of doing flushes kind of went down the drain. HA HA. I'm really getting frustrated up here in the 95 degree tempertaures, so I decided to clean my wheels.
 
PS. To add, I cannot find anyplace that carrys the Peak Global Lifetime that the said they used.
It's time for some ribs and maybe a beer or two.

Thanks guys. Enjoy the rest of your week-end.
cheers.gif
 
For refilling, does yours have a radiator cap or a reservoir cap? Some engines don't have radiator caps, but you can refill it via the coolant reservoir instead.

Keep a close eye on your guage, but it should stabilize. It should be in the low area after sitting for that long, because the engine has cooled down.
 
quote:
Originally posted by ConfederateTyrant:
For refilling, does yours have a radiator cap or a reservoir cap? Some engines don't have radiator caps, but you can refill it via the coolant reservoir instead.

Keep a close eye on your guage, but it should stabilize. It should be in the low area after sitting for that long, because the engine has cooled down.
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Well, I was able to buy a radiator cap yesterday, when i was out running around trying to find some Peak Global, but with my luck the way it's been, I just bought a fancy paper weight
smile.gif
 
Crater, did the cap you bought look anything like this?
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If so, I believe you bought a reservoir cap (not a bad thing). I have never seen a cap that goes directly to the radiator and looks like that. Take another good look in your engine compartment for a plastic reservoir with some type of warning on it about opening when hot. I strongly doubt you have a 100% complete sealed system, though a sealed radiator is possible. The dealer knew what to do, would not tell you because then you'd be able to do the work yourself, or for liability reasons.

Don't go to the dealer for a flush, find a reputable mechanic and request to watch them when they flush the system. That way you know how to drain it, bleed it, and re-fill it. If they deny you permission to watch, find another shop.

Good luck man.
 
The bleed valve on a GM V6 is near the thermostat which leads from the block to the top hose. Its on top and is usually black or brass with. Also try autozone for a pictures and how to diy for your model Malibu / year.
 
To continue my story, left work early today becuase I was getting a little upset about this whole mess.

Was able to find the Peak Global that I was looking for
cheers.gif


Went to the GM Dealership to pick up a hose for my PVC Valve. While there, I asked the guy about the radiator cap deal. Found out, that indeed my tank is sealed. NO SUCH THING AS A CAP FOR THIS RADIATOR. Of course, guess what idot threw the receipt away
mad.gif


Went on to descirbe my problem and he suggested to bleed the radiator, but could not tell me (or would not tell me) where to bleed it at.

Now with out a cap to fill the radiator back up, I'm leary of trying to do a drop, since I'm not sure of where to add the new antifreeze once I drain it.

Hate to say it, since I've gone this far and spent so much money and time, but I think I'm going to just take it to a GM Dealer and have a drop done. I don't want to get another flush, if indeed I did have one previously done, with the concern of damaging further, the IMG.

I bought some of the sealing tablets they had.

unless you good people have any other words of wisdom or ideas, I just want to say, thanks for putting up with this old man...

Take care and *** Bless..
 
quote:
Originally posted by ConfederateTyrant:
Crater, did the cap you bought look anything like this?
-


If so, I believe you bought a reservoir cap (not a bad thing). I have never seen a cap that goes directly to the radiator and looks like that. Take another good look in your engine compartment for a plastic reservoir with some type of warning on it about opening when hot. I strongly doubt you have a 100% complete sealed system, though a sealed radiator is possible. The dealer knew what to do, would not tell you because then you'd be able to do the work yourself, or for liability reasons.

Don't go to the dealer for a flush, find a reputable mechanic and request to watch them when they flush the system. That way you know how to drain it, bleed it, and re-fill it. If they deny you permission to watch, find another shop.

Good luck man.
Click to expand...
BINGO, That is it. Boy, do I feel like I finally accomplished something. Even though it was by accident.

I cannot believe the amount of junk that was accumalated around the inside of the old cap.
Looks like oil!!!

Don't think it's going to solve my problem, but don't think it will hurt anything either.

Now, if the car does not blow up by this week-end, I'm going to try to do the drop thing myself. Only problem is, I have read so many different ways of doing this, I'm confused.

Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
smile.gif
 
Just be sure to bleed it whichever you do.
Its easier to keep excess air out if the front end is slightly higher than the rear. You don't want to blow the gasket on top of all the intake leaks.

If you have coolant in the oil and oil in the coolant this is a pretty much the end of the road point without fixing the cause or selling it quick after the cleanup.
 
Just be sure to bleed it whichever you do.
Its easier to keep excess air out if the front end is slightly higher than the rear. You don't want to blow the gasket on top of all the intake leaks.

If you have coolant in the oil and oil in the coolant this is a pretty much the end of the road point without fixing the cause or selling it quick after the cleanup.
 
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