Vacuum in radiator top hose?

[jacekk]

Every day in the morning check the fluids (cold) in my wife's GEMS '98 Disco SE7 (North American version), the top hose is collapsed by vacuum.

When I remove the expansion cap tank the vacuum eases and the pipe expands to normal.

I replaced the expansion tank cap and the coolant lines all seem to be functioning and the car cools normally.

The only other symptom is a gurgling in the heater when the car is driven. I was told by a Rover master technician that the cure for the gurgling is to swap the inlet and outlet to the heater.

Can anyone proved any clue as to the vacuum situation and any info about the gurgling and shoes swapping?

Thank you.

 

[sven]

Can anyone proved any clue as to the vacuum situation and any info .... and shoes swapping?

Please dont swap your shoes, you may trip and hurt yourself.

 

[jacekk]

Please dont swap your shoes, you may trip and hurt yourself.

Lets hope I am a better car repairer than I am a typist!

 

[sven]

The gurgling could mean you're low on coolant or you still have air trapped inside the system, or both.

 

[Quentin]

Sounds like she needs a burp.......
Would have said the cap, but you have already replaced that

 

[jacekk]

The gurgling could mean you're low on coolant or you still have air trapped inside the system, or both.

Well yes there is air in the system. Been like this for months. Followed the RAVE procedure for bleeding but the gurgling persists. any one have any tips for bleeding?

 

[jacekk]

Sounds like she needs a burp.......
Would have said the cap, but you have already replaced that

A burp is exactly what she needs - how do you administer one to a two ton steel baby?

 

[ptschram]

I'd be testing for combustion gas in the coolant.

The preponderance of the evidence given is pointing to a head gasket leak to the cooling jacket.

In the few instances I've had problems removing air from DI cooling systems, I have parked the truck on an incline with the left front higher, removed the cap, started the engine and run it long enough to reach op temp (no more than 15 minutes or you risk overheating having the cap off). Heat it up and let it cool and the air will find its way out.

Again, I'd be worried about a leak somewhere.

 

[jacekk]

I'd be testing for combustion gas in the coolant.

The preponderance of the evidence given is pointing to a head gasket leak to the cooling jacket.

In the few instances I've had problems removing air from DI cooling systems, I have parked the truck on an incline with the left front higher, removed the cap, started the engine and run it long enough to reach op temp (no more than 15 minutes or you risk overheating having the cap off). Heat it up and let it cool and the air will find its way out.

Again, I'd be worried about a leak somewhere.

I can't smell any gas in the coolant nor oil in the coolant either - the car runs great with no misfiring. What other tests are there for head-leaks to coolant? And how does that explain the vacuum? If there was a leak to coolant there wouldn't be a vacuum in the top hose when cold would there? I don't know I 'm just asking and I really appreciate your advice. Thank you

 

[d1driver]

I have never had to burp my 98 and it has had a headgasket job, and a complete engine replacement. Never had a problem filling it back up with coolant and had to burp it.

 

[gmookher]

every day huh?

 

[xengineguy]

Replace the pressure cap on the coolant tank.. And check the overflow hose/tube for blockage. Make sure when the engine is running there is a small stream of coolant flowing into the coolant tank from the little hose that connects to the radiator.

 

[jymmiejamz]

I'd be testing for combustion gas in the coolant.

The preponderance of the evidence given is pointing to a head gasket leak to the cooling jacket.

x2. I'm guessing head gaskets or short block.

 

[WaltNYC]

I just changed my thermostat and it took a good 2-3 minutes with the engine running 2- 2.5k rpm for the air to find its way to the top. Run your heater blower and put the heat on the highest setting. The change from cold to hot air inside the cabin was a sure sign the air had been pushed out.