Coolant loss!

[Graham-P]

Just been out to put a new sensor in the coolant hose and opened the swirl pot to find it empty looked in the header tank and it was full looked around for any leaks couldn't find any, plus when driving no high temps were ever shown on the dash. The fans would only cut in when stationary for a long time, and then only for a couple of minutes.
The reason for the new sensor is because I originally I installed the water temp sensor in the return hose (to the engine) I didn't realize that the water flow in the LS3 was reversed from the SBC, and I want to put a sensor in the hose from the engine. The ECU has a sensor in the head that operates the fans.
Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

Graham

[Steve_D]

Graham-P said:

.....Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

Graham

The swirl pot cap is not sealing properly.

Steve

[02PRUV]

Graham-P said:

Just been out to put a new sensor in the coolant hose and opened the swirl pot to find it empty looked in the header tank and it was full looked around for any leaks couldn't find any, plus when driving no high temps were ever shown on the dash. The fans would only cut in when stationary for a long time, and then only for a couple of minutes.
The reason for the new sensor is because I originally I installed the water temp sensor in the return hose (to the engine) I didn't realize that the water flow in the LS3 was reversed from the SBC, and I want to put a sensor in the hose from the engine. The ECU has a sensor in the head that operates the fans.
Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

Graham

Sounds like it's pushing the water out past your radiator cap on your swirl pot if your header tank is full. Either your spring on your radiator cap is stuffed or the system is getting pressurised too much and pushing the water out. Most common thing to do this is boiling or head gasket. Best bet is to empty your header tank, re-fill your swirl pot, get a new radiator cap and monitor the temps and check to see if the header tank is filling up quick after that.

[V8Dom]

Graham are you sure you didnt have an airlock?

I agree rad cap could be the most ovious but you would see coolant staining arround the cap.

Dom

[Graham-P]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll take a look at the swirl pot cap but can't see any obvious leaks from there or puddles of antifreeze anywhere, but I'll get another cap from the factory anyway. Airlock could be a possibility, when I refill I'll jack the back of the car up to get as much air out from the front.

Graham

[MarkWebb]

Swirl pot does not have a true radiator cap. It is purely a sealing lid. The header tank has the true spring loaded pressure release radiator cap. Did you see my email Graham?

[Graham-P]

MarkWebb said:

Swirl pot does not have a true radiator cap. It is purely a sealing lid. The header tank has the true spring loaded pressure release radiator cap. Did you see my email Graham?

Yes Ihave the right cap on the right tank. GOt your mail and replied.

Graham

[DHGTR]

Graham, do your sandwiches in the sidepod get wet when you go for a drive?

[Graham-P]

Yes but that's for a completely different reason