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Coolant blowing out of overflow tank

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Old 09-26-2007, 03:06 PM
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PJB
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Default Coolant blowing out of overflow tank

I just took my car out for a decent ride and when I pulled in the driveway coolant blew out of the overflow tank.
Most of the driving was around 45 mph or so and in and out of traffic.

I cant seem to figure out why its doing that because it never used to do that before the heads and cam were installed and I put in a 160* thermostat a few weeks ago and everything seemed fine.

On the highway the car runs cool but the temp gauge creeps up while in traffic or idling.

Its got the stock radiator and clutch fan.
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Old 09-26-2007, 03:09 PM
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98MustangGT46
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Default RE: Coolant blowing out of overflow tank

ORIGINAL: PJB

I just took my car out for a decent ride and when I pulled in the driveway coolant blew out of the overflow tank.
Most of the driving was around 45 mph or so and in and out of traffic.

I cant seem to figure out why its doing that because it never used to do that before the heads and cam were installed and I put in a 160* thermostat a few weeks ago and everything seemed fine.

On the highway the car runs cool but the temp gauge creeps up while in traffic or idling.

Its got the stock radiator and clutch fan.
Thats cause of the 160 thermostat. Put either a 180 or stock back in it. With the 160 the radiator never get a chance to cool the fluid.
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Old 09-26-2007, 03:17 PM
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PJB
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Default RE: Coolant blowing out of overflow tank

It was worse with the higher temperature thermostat.
The 160* helped alot- it used to overheat all the time in traffic before putting the 160* in.
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Old 09-26-2007, 03:19 PM
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Matt Paul
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Default RE: Coolant blowing out of overflow tank

ORIGINAL: PJB

I just took my car out for a decent ride and when I pulled in the driveway coolant blew out of the overflow tank.
Most of the driving was around 45 mph or so and in and out of traffic.

I cant seem to figure out why its doing that because it never used to do that before the heads and cam were installed and I put in a 160* thermostat a few weeks ago and everything seemed fine.

On the highway the car runs cool but the temp gauge creeps up while in traffic or idling.

Its got the stock radiator and clutch fan.

You awnsered your own question, it all started after the head and cam install.You either put the head gaskets on wrong or you have a blown head gasket or a cracked head these are the only thingthat wouldcause the coolant to "blow out of the over flow and bubble".
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Old 09-26-2007, 03:23 PM
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98MustangGT46
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Default RE: Coolant blowing out of overflow tank

ORIGINAL: PJB

It was worse with the higher temperature thermostat.
The 160* helped alot- it used to overheat all the time in traffic before putting the 160* in.
Ok. I was just going from my experience. I need a radiator too though. But if it helped. Thats good.
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Old 09-26-2007, 03:25 PM
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PJB
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Default RE: Coolant blowing out of overflow tank

ORIGINAL: Matt Paul
You awnsered your own question, it all started after the head and cam install.You either put the head gaskets on wrong or you have a blown head gasket or a cracked head these are the only thingthat wouldcause the coolant to "blow out of the over flow and bubble".
Its not all the time though and theres no leaks or oil in the coolant.
The heads are brand new and Im pretty sure the headgaskets were installed right (I didnt change them).
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Old 09-26-2007, 03:54 PM
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86 5.0L
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Default RE: Coolant blowing out of overflow tank

ORIGINAL: PJB

It was worse with the higher temperature thermostat.
The 160* helped alot- it used to overheat all the time in traffic before putting the 160* in.
then you have a problem somewhere else, theres no need for a stat lower then 180*
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Old 09-26-2007, 04:13 PM
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PJB
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Default RE: Coolant blowing out of overflow tank

ORIGINAL: 86 5.0L
then you have a problem somewhere else, theres no need for a stat lower then 180*
I dont really know what the problem is or how to check it out. I didnt see anything obvious like coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant.
I know its not a leak because theres no puddles and theres plenty of coolant.
I dont think pressure testing will help any.

A few of my friends and other guys with Mustangs said to put in the 160* thermostat so I did, figuring they knew what they were talking about.
One also thinks I might need a better radiator and/or electric fan.
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Old 09-26-2007, 04:19 PM
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5.0stanger
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Default RE: Coolant blowing out of overflow tank

My mustang was doing that, it was from a blown head gasket. It was blowing compression past the gasket into the coolant. Mine progressively got worse to and did it every time I drove towards the end.
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Old 09-26-2007, 05:02 PM
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Default RE: Coolant blowing out of overflow tank

The electric fan will help more then most things to helping with the overheating. Unless you get some hugely expensive rad, it will help more then anything. And you can get them for cheap off a taurus in the junk yard,and pick-up some gas mileage as well.
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