abugarcias Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 So my coolant tank on the closed system burst twice and after the second time I decided to do the conversion to open. This is what I've done so far: -New thermostat -New water pump -New radiator -New hoses all around -New recovery tank I filled it up with distilled water and coolant, and while checking for leaks after about 5 minutes of idling steam (smoke?) starting coming from the engine block (out of the oil filler cap). I only have an idiot temp light and I'm not even sure if it works (never came on), and I think the thermostat was open because there was coolant in both the heater lines and upper radiator hose. I'm at a loss as to what to do, I basically replaced the whole cooling system and it still seems like it's running as hot as ever. Could it be something else in the actual engine that is jacked up that's causing it to overheat? Should I just continue running it through the smoke/steam (it's not a lot, but definitely noticeable and I didn't want to continue to run it and completely mess something up). Could the oil be bad and all that is needed is a simple oil change? I just got it about a month ago and have only driven it a few miles so I'm not sure what else might be wrong with it. Thanks in advance for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 If you pull the dipstick, is it milky or coolant colored? I have a feeling the "steam" you see out of the oil cap is normal, and just a little blow by, but lets start with making sure you don't have a headgasket leak. Rob L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abugarcias Posted May 31, 2010 Author Share Posted May 31, 2010 No I checked the oil and the level was ok and it was brown (I'm going to change it and see if that makes a difference). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juan Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 smoke / steam out the oil cab or the front valve cover hose is common - otherwhise known as blow by. My mj does it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 When you change it, check for water as it comes out. Does your coolant bubble in the radiator if you run it with the cap off? (Start it cold, with the cap off, and check for bubbles.) Do NOT open the cap hot and check for bubbles. Rob L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abugarcias Posted May 31, 2010 Author Share Posted May 31, 2010 Thank you both for the help. I will change the oil and check for any coolant / water and start her up and look for bubbles in the radiator cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abugarcias Posted May 31, 2010 Author Share Posted May 31, 2010 Also would the PCV system have anything to do with this? There are some pinches / cracks in the tubing I have a replacement on order just waiting for it to get in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oizarod115 Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 does the coolant STINK reallly really bad with tthe cap off? bad motors and head gaskets generally have a terrible smell to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abugarcias Posted May 31, 2010 Author Share Posted May 31, 2010 does the coolant STINK reallly really bad with tthe cap off? bad motors and head gaskets generally have a terrible smell to them. Yes the old coolant did stink really bad when I drained it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oizarod115 Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 does the coolant STINK reallly really bad with tthe cap off? bad motors and head gaskets generally have a terrible smell to them. Yes the old coolant did stink really bad when I drained it. doesn't necessarily mean its the head gasket, the old coolant could just be reallly funky, how's the new stuff smell, and how long does it take for the engine to heat up when started and idling? if it heats REALLY fast you may be getting exhaust in the coolant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abugarcias Posted June 1, 2010 Author Share Posted June 1, 2010 So I changed the oil and it looked ok, no milky or white stuff in it. Started her up and looked for bubbles in the radiator cap, there were none. It did however start smoking about 5 minutes into it and seemed once again like it was getting really hot. I'm going to take it for a test drive tonight not too far from home and see what happens. How much smoke is "normal" for blowby? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 At this point, there isn't much we can do for you until you can tell us if it is truly overheating or not. Might just be operating at normal temp for all you know. The amount of blowby will be in relation to the condition of the engine, there is no measurement for a "normal" amount. Rob L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abugarcias Posted June 1, 2010 Author Share Posted June 1, 2010 So I took her out for a spin tonight, drove around for about 20 minutes and everything seems ok. No overheating issues (only have the idiot light, not the gauge), and once the hood is closed, you can't tell the engine is smoking a little. Because there are no apparent true overheating issues, would I be safe to assume this is in fact blowby? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 I would make this a time to go to a full cluster and stop living in the dark. I wouldn't trust it until I knew exactly what it was doing. Rob L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 I would hope there's a set of factory gauges in your truck's future. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abugarcias Posted June 1, 2010 Author Share Posted June 1, 2010 Yes that is definitely in the works for the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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