coolant issue

[coolcloo1019]

Alright, I've searched on here about cooling problems and if found a bunch about bleeding the system and such but I have a specific question and would appreciate it if someone could answer it or at least make a suggestion. When I drive my car, even just down the road, say a mile or so, and come back, I can hear the coolant gurgling. This happens all the time. Today when it happened I let it cool and when I checked it...the level of coolant in the overflow tank was at minimum and when I opened the cap on the radiator u can't see any coolant in there. Does anyone know what this could be. And I dont think that it is a leak because there are never any drip spots in my driveway. Thanks

[[s3]]

Might be too much air in the system, drain the coolant, flush it, then refill with 50% distilled water, 50% coolant.

Or if you're in a warmer climate, 75% distilled and 25% coolant.

[coolcloo1019]

Alright, thanks, the one thing I don't get though about draining the system and having to take off the radiator cap when the car is running. Isn't the water going to shoot out???? and that water is HOT!

[[s3]]

Don't run the car, there is a drain plug on the bottom of the radiator that will let the coolant out.

1) jack up car2) get big bucket, place under radiator3) remove radiator cap4) unscrew drain plug5) let it all drain, flush with water 6) screw drain plug back in, refill 50/50 or 75/25 mix

[ricebike]

doin' it this way may still leave air bubbles in the system unless you open the air bleed valve while filling the coolant/water mix...

hmm, does the crappy temp gauge fluctuates or just stays @ the same place all the time?

radiator cap valve/rubber gasket not working? cheap part to replace to keep 13psi pressure & a vacuum valve to "suck" in from the resevoir when the system cools down to prevent air bubbles from entering the system.

u got some other problems if u didn't see any fluid in the radiator... try filling up the system again & have it pressure tested for leaks.

ps there's another drain plug on the driver side of the block, under the exhaust manifold. i had to remove my tire, use some universal joints n long extensions to get that thing off & took a huge bath in coolant mix <good thing i let it cool down> if u can't find it, then just do the radiator only... post back on what u find out!

[180fan]

When you do use distilled for the coolant, make sure there's no salt added. Many companies do this. I personally use Alhambra since there's no salt added to the distilled water. Salt in the water can leave a coating of white stuff in your cooling system which in turn decreases the cooling efficiency of your system (a problem I've dealt with with water cooled computers) and with the salt missing, the water should have a capability to hold 3 to 4 more degrees C versus distilled with salt added.

[coolcloo1019]

well i replaced the thermostat this weekend...what a chore that turned into. I took everything off, replaced the thermostat and then i noticed coolant leaking out of the thermostat housing. I took it off again and noticed a nice crack around one of the bolt holes. So, called all around late Saturday afternoon and no one knew where to get one. Sunday morning I go to the junk yard. Alright, 3 240's there...2 with missing engines and the 3rd all it was missing was the radiator hose and the housing that I need. Great, well its time for JB Weld. Got it back together and is working good. Go out for a while and drive around...stop at the g/f's and what not then on my way home I notice the gauge is almost FULL hot then all of a sudden it goes down and stays there. Come home and get out of my car, notice water running down the driveway. Oh $hit! I look at the housing...dry as a bone. Look at the bottom of the radiator and there is coolant all over...either I didn't tighten the bottom hose tight when I put it all back together or else the radiator is cracked...$HITTY...I'm going to have to check it out in the morning. I'll keep you posted...

[coolcloo1019]

Also, how hard is it to replace the head gasket on a 90 ka? Is it worth the agrivation or should I get the DOHC swap which I am planning on doing anyways, I heard that replacing the head gasket it is a biatch. And how much do they cost roughly, haven't checked it out.

[book-ends]

Do you want a new re-build from, say, NAPA? That might run about 2k. I'm curious about this "air bleed" valve as my radiator and all the plumbing is sitting on the garage floor. I am in the middle of replacing my front crank seal and wanted the extra room. I didin't think about air in the coolant until I read this. Where is the air bleed valve located?

Coolcloo..........if you end up having to replace your radiator, are you going to replace it with a stock unit or a Koyo aluminum unit ($330 from phase2motortrends)? Just curious......I'm looking for any excuse to replace mine and add twin electric fans!!

[coolcloo1019]

No, I am not getting a rebuild, its too much money...for about that 2000 i could almost get an sr20det. I am just getting a used ka24de with like 70k miles for about $900 (engine and labor) so I am going to give that a whirl. Ill keep you posted. And I didn't replace my radiator, just got a new thermostat, cap, and resevoir tank and its all good now.

[book-ends]

Sweet! I'm glad that worked out for you. Did you see my post entitled "Help Nissan Mechanic"? Ha ha ha ha........I'm glad that something is working out for someone!!