Good Day,
I have a 98’ base 2.5L 5 Speed 986. Recently I replaced the expansion tank (see backstory below) and since replacing the tank, I’ve not been able to get the car to accept more than approximately 3 gallons of coolant. I’m fairly certain that the issue is an air pocket in the system, as I was able to successfully pull 25 lbs. of pressure for upwards of 5+ minutes using the Uview Airlift. I’ve attempted multiple times to get the bubble free first by following the Bentley manual bleeding process.
Following this, I’ve tried most every other suggestion on the web. I’ve parked the car on a steep slope and opened the cap (I had quite a few bubbles emerge). I jacked up the back of the car and placed my coolant refill bucket above the tank level. I’ve driven around the block etc. Still, can’t get more than 3 gallons.
My question is: Can I fill coolant directly into the radiators? (E.G., remove the bumper, condensers etc. and fill from the top?) Both my engine compartment fan and front radiator fans eventually turn on (car gets up to about 185 degrees). My theory with direct filling radiators is that since each unit houses approximately ¾ to 1 gallon alone, couldn’t I just fill those gaps and then be good to go?
On two occasions now I’ve had the tank overflow and leak fluid all over the garage floor.
Backstory: About a month ago the car started overheating. I looked at the tank and saw the level was slightly below the “MIN” marking. I topped it off, but continued to have overheating issues. Specifically, the car would get up to about 185 degrees and the blinking light would come on warning of overheating. I purchased a new cap from the dealer and drove around for a day or two with the bleeder valve open. Car continued to overheat. Took it to a mom & pop shop and asked that they flush the coolant. Long story short, they talked me into putting in new coolant and a new thermostat (180 degree), which I agreed to. They called me back and said the car wouldn’t take more than 2.5 gallons and asked for another day to trouble shoot. Next day they texted me and said I needed a new tank (to the tune of $1,300). They said they found pieces of plastic in the tank (I didn’t get to see these pieces). They were also confused by the float in the tank and advised that they couldn’t get this piece out. I had the car brought home on a flat bed.
Purchased Uview Airlfit, new coolant, drain plug, crush nut, expansion tank, coolant temp thermostat (the one that goes on the bottom of the tank), etc. . Opened the drain plug and got about 2.0 gallons from under the car. Installed the new expansion tank (took nearly 8 hours). Went to pressure test the system and was shocked to see my new tank full of pink coolant. Released vacuum and emptied coolant from bottom of the car (did this several times) and was quite surprised to end up with slightly less than 4.5 gallons of pink coolant.
Meaning, the car that was towed home on the flat bed had close to 4.5 gallons of coolant in the system . . .
My theory is that the shop only emptied coolant by opening drain plug and they didn’t actually vacuum everything out. I suspect the coolant I pulled from the new tank came from the radiators.
In any case, I now wonder if I’ve fried the new thermostat the shop installed. I purchased a new water pump, belt and 160 degree thermostat and will probably install this coming weekend. I hope not to run into an issue when I go to refill (again). But, in the event that I do, I’m considering trying to put coolant directly into radiators. Wondering how much harm (if any) this might cause.