Hello forum, before anyone suggests it, I assure you I have spent almost all day searching this sight and others for the answer before posting.
so here is the short of it.
1996 Mustang 3.8L manual transmission.
I replaced the radiator and water pump then put everything back together.
afterwards, I followed the coolant fill and bleed instructions that I found on here.
Removed radiator cap, removed bleeder bolt on top of the motor, filled radiator to capacity, filled bleeder bolt hole, replaced bleeder bolt, ran the engine for about 20 minutes or so to reach temp, shut it off and let it cool.
The expansion tank has been filled to the area between both the cold/full and hot/full area.
My specific question is based on this:When I remove the radiator cap, I'm seeing room enough for a few ounces of coolant. So I fill it. I've been able to fill the small void with coolant over and over again. There aren't any leaks that I can find and I've vigorously searched everywhere. How will I know when it's taken in as much coolant as possible?
I also noticed that coolant only travels from the radiator to the expansion tank when it's hot and I begin to remove the radiator cap. The pressure being released is allowing coolant to travel through the hose to the expansion tank.
I know air bubbles are a known problem with these 3.8L engines, I just would like some experienced insight as to how to make sure I have enough coolant in my system, and no air.
Thanks for any replies.
so here is the short of it.
1996 Mustang 3.8L manual transmission.
I replaced the radiator and water pump then put everything back together.
afterwards, I followed the coolant fill and bleed instructions that I found on here.
Removed radiator cap, removed bleeder bolt on top of the motor, filled radiator to capacity, filled bleeder bolt hole, replaced bleeder bolt, ran the engine for about 20 minutes or so to reach temp, shut it off and let it cool.
The expansion tank has been filled to the area between both the cold/full and hot/full area.
My specific question is based on this:When I remove the radiator cap, I'm seeing room enough for a few ounces of coolant. So I fill it. I've been able to fill the small void with coolant over and over again. There aren't any leaks that I can find and I've vigorously searched everywhere. How will I know when it's taken in as much coolant as possible?
I also noticed that coolant only travels from the radiator to the expansion tank when it's hot and I begin to remove the radiator cap. The pressure being released is allowing coolant to travel through the hose to the expansion tank.
I know air bubbles are a known problem with these 3.8L engines, I just would like some experienced insight as to how to make sure I have enough coolant in my system, and no air.
Thanks for any replies.