Re-filling the cooling system after radiator replacement...

So the FSM says "engine should be running when re-filling cooling system".
How much time do I have to get it filled before bad things (over-heating,
etc) happen? I'm presuming having my coolant mixed up and ready to go would
be a good idea, but other than that? Do I have to run like a madman from
starting the engine to get it filled? Do I need a helper standing there,
dumping coolant in?

Thanks for your patience and assistance!

Clint

Well...
What we've always done is fill it most of the way, then start it to get it
circulating and top it off....

Never heard of anyone running it dry before filling it..

Kate

"Clint" > wrote in message
news:2Bcoh.557260$1T2.129266@pd7urf2no...
> So the FSM says "engine should be running when re-filling cooling system".
> How much time do I have to get it filled before bad things (over-heating,
> etc) happen? I'm presuming having my coolant mixed up and ready to go
> would be a good idea, but other than that? Do I have to run like a madman
> from starting the engine to get it filled? Do I need a helper standing
> there, dumping coolant in?
>
> Thanks for your patience and assistance!
>
> Clint

That makes more sense to me!

Clint

"Kate" > wrote in message
.. .
> Well...
> What we've always done is fill it most of the way, then start it to get it
> circulating and top it off....
>
> Never heard of anyone running it dry before filling it..
>
> Kate
>
> "Clint" > wrote in message
> news:2Bcoh.557260$1T2.129266@pd7urf2no...
>> So the FSM says "engine should be running when re-filling cooling
>> system". How much time do I have to get it filled before bad things
>> (over-heating, etc) happen? I'm presuming having my coolant mixed up and
>> ready to go would be a good idea, but other than that? Do I have to run
>> like a madman from starting the engine to get it filled? Do I need a
>> helper standing there, dumping coolant in?
>>
>> Thanks for your patience and assistance!
>>
>> Clint
>
>

Clint,

Kate's right. Fill the radiator, start the engine, add your mix. Pump
the upper radiator hose and wait for the thermostat to open. Once the
thermostat opens, your coolant level will drop. Fill it back up and wait.
Make sure the radiator opening is the highest point. If it's not, just turn
the Jeep around while you're waiting for the thermostat to open. Drive it
around, check it again. Don't forget the overflow container.

HTH

Carl


"Clint" > wrote in message
news:77doh.557388$1T2.318388@pd7urf2no...
> That makes more sense to me!
>
> Clint
>
> "Kate" > wrote in message
> .. .
>> Well...
>> What we've always done is fill it most of the way, then start it to get
>> it circulating and top it off....
>>
>> Never heard of anyone running it dry before filling it..
>>
>> Kate
>>
>> "Clint" > wrote in message
>> news:2Bcoh.557260$1T2.129266@pd7urf2no...
>>> So the FSM says "engine should be running when re-filling cooling
>>> system". How much time do I have to get it filled before bad things
>>> (over-heating, etc) happen? I'm presuming having my coolant mixed up
>>> and ready to go would be a good idea, but other than that? Do I have to
>>> run like a madman from starting the engine to get it filled? Do I need
>>> a helper standing there, dumping coolant in?
>>>
>>> Thanks for your patience and assistance!
>>>
>>> Clint
>>
>>
>

I only have the overflow bottle to fill through. Does that change your
steps?

Clint

"Carl" > wrote in message
...
> Clint,
>
> Kate's right. Fill the radiator, start the engine, add your mix. Pump
> the upper radiator hose and wait for the thermostat to open. Once the
> thermostat opens, your coolant level will drop. Fill it back up and wait.
> Make sure the radiator opening is the highest point. If it's not, just
> turn the Jeep around while you're waiting for the thermostat to open.
> Drive it around, check it again. Don't forget the overflow container.
>
> HTH
>
> Carl
>
>
> "Clint" > wrote in message
> news:77doh.557388$1T2.318388@pd7urf2no...
>> That makes more sense to me!
>>
>> Clint
>>
>> "Kate" > wrote in message
>> .. .
>>> Well...
>>> What we've always done is fill it most of the way, then start it to get
>>> it circulating and top it off....
>>>
>>> Never heard of anyone running it dry before filling it..
>>>
>>> Kate
>>>
>>> "Clint" > wrote in message
>>> news:2Bcoh.557260$1T2.129266@pd7urf2no...
>>>> So the FSM says "engine should be running when re-filling cooling
>>>> system". How much time do I have to get it filled before bad things
>>>> (over-heating, etc) happen? I'm presuming having my coolant mixed up
>>>> and ready to go would be a good idea, but other than that? Do I have
>>>> to run like a madman from starting the engine to get it filled? Do I
>>>> need a helper standing there, dumping coolant in?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for your patience and assistance!
>>>>
>>>> Clint
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>

A little. This is an 88 to 91 XJ, correct? Basically you fill the radiator
through the overflow bottle. Keep dumping coolant in untill the overflow is
full. Fill the bottle, leave the cap off. Start the engine, when the level
drops, fill it back up. Everything else is pretty much the same, but make
sure the overflow is the high point.

HTH

Carl



"Clint" > wrote in message
news:zXeoh.557487$1T2.233388@pd7urf2no...
>I only have the overflow bottle to fill through. Does that change your
>steps?
>
> Clint
>
> "Carl" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Clint,
>>
>> Kate's right. Fill the radiator, start the engine, add your mix. Pump
>> the upper radiator hose and wait for the thermostat to open. Once the
>> thermostat opens, your coolant level will drop. Fill it back up and wait.
>> Make sure the radiator opening is the highest point. If it's not, just
>> turn the Jeep around while you're waiting for the thermostat to open.
>> Drive it around, check it again. Don't forget the overflow container.
>>
>> HTH
>>
>> Carl
>>
>>
>> "Clint" > wrote in message
>> news:77doh.557388$1T2.318388@pd7urf2no...
>>> That makes more sense to me!
>>>
>>> Clint
>>>
>>> "Kate" > wrote in message
>>> .. .
>>>> Well...
>>>> What we've always done is fill it most of the way, then start it to get
>>>> it circulating and top it off....
>>>>
>>>> Never heard of anyone running it dry before filling it..
>>>>
>>>> Kate
>>>>
>>>> "Clint" > wrote in message
>>>> news:2Bcoh.557260$1T2.129266@pd7urf2no...
>>>>> So the FSM says "engine should be running when re-filling cooling
>>>>> system". How much time do I have to get it filled before bad things
>>>>> (over-heating, etc) happen? I'm presuming having my coolant mixed up
>>>>> and ready to go would be a good idea, but other than that? Do I have
>>>>> to run like a madman from starting the engine to get it filled? Do I
>>>>> need a helper standing there, dumping coolant in?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks for your patience and assistance!
>>>>>
>>>>> Clint
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>

Close enough. MJ, or Comanche pickup truck.

BTW, whoever designed the drive belt adjustment mechanism on these vehicles
should have to personally apologize to every person who's ever had to adjust
one. What a PITA!

Clint

"Carl" > wrote in message
. ..
>A little. This is an 88 to 91 XJ, correct? Basically you fill the radiator
>through the overflow bottle. Keep dumping coolant in untill the overflow is
>full. Fill the bottle, leave the cap off. Start the engine, when the level
>drops, fill it back up. Everything else is pretty much the same, but make
>sure the overflow is the high point.
>
> HTH
>
> Carl
>
>
>
> "Clint" > wrote in message
> news:zXeoh.557487$1T2.233388@pd7urf2no...
>>I only have the overflow bottle to fill through. Does that change your
>>steps?
>>
>> Clint
>>
>> "Carl" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Clint,
>>>
>>> Kate's right. Fill the radiator, start the engine, add your mix. Pump
>>> the upper radiator hose and wait for the thermostat to open. Once the
>>> thermostat opens, your coolant level will drop. Fill it back up and
>>> wait. Make sure the radiator opening is the highest point. If it's not,
>>> just turn the Jeep around while you're waiting for the thermostat to
>>> open. Drive it around, check it again. Don't forget the overflow
>>> container.
>>>
>>> HTH
>>>
>>> Carl
>>>
>>>
>>> "Clint" > wrote in message
>>> news:77doh.557388$1T2.318388@pd7urf2no...
>>>> That makes more sense to me!
>>>>
>>>> Clint
>>>>
>>>> "Kate" > wrote in message
>>>> .. .
>>>>> Well...
>>>>> What we've always done is fill it most of the way, then start it to
>>>>> get it circulating and top it off....
>>>>>
>>>>> Never heard of anyone running it dry before filling it..
>>>>>
>>>>> Kate
>>>>>
>>>>> "Clint" > wrote in message
>>>>> news:2Bcoh.557260$1T2.129266@pd7urf2no...
>>>>>> So the FSM says "engine should be running when re-filling cooling
>>>>>> system". How much time do I have to get it filled before bad things
>>>>>> (over-heating, etc) happen? I'm presuming having my coolant mixed up
>>>>>> and ready to go would be a good idea, but other than that? Do I have
>>>>>> to run like a madman from starting the engine to get it filled? Do I
>>>>>> need a helper standing there, dumping coolant in?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks for your patience and assistance!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Clint
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>

Yes, it can be a PITA. However, I've found that once you get the hang of it,
it's not so bad. The Ford system is much easier to adjust, but also keep in
mind that your Jeep system is MUCH more reliable.

Carl


"Clint" > wrote in message
news:wDfoh.557622$1T2.196290@pd7urf2no...
> Close enough. MJ, or Comanche pickup truck.
>
> BTW, whoever designed the drive belt adjustment mechanism on these
> vehicles should have to personally apologize to every person who's ever
> had to adjust one. What a PITA!
>
> Clint
>
> "Carl" > wrote in message
> . ..
>>A little. This is an 88 to 91 XJ, correct? Basically you fill the radiator
>>through the overflow bottle. Keep dumping coolant in untill the overflow
>>is full. Fill the bottle, leave the cap off. Start the engine, when the
>>level drops, fill it back up. Everything else is pretty much the same, but
>>make sure the overflow is the high point.
>>
>> HTH
>>
>> Carl
>>
>>
>>
>> "Clint" > wrote in message
>> news:zXeoh.557487$1T2.233388@pd7urf2no...
>>>I only have the overflow bottle to fill through. Does that change your
>>>steps?
>>>
>>> Clint
>>>
>>> "Carl" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> Clint,
>>>>
>>>> Kate's right. Fill the radiator, start the engine, add your mix.
>>>> Pump the upper radiator hose and wait for the thermostat to open. Once
>>>> the thermostat opens, your coolant level will drop. Fill it back up and
>>>> wait. Make sure the radiator opening is the highest point. If it's not,
>>>> just turn the Jeep around while you're waiting for the thermostat to
>>>> open. Drive it around, check it again. Don't forget the overflow
>>>> container.
>>>>
>>>> HTH
>>>>
>>>> Carl
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Clint" > wrote in message
>>>> news:77doh.557388$1T2.318388@pd7urf2no...
>>>>> That makes more sense to me!
>>>>>
>>>>> Clint
>>>>>
>>>>> "Kate" > wrote in message
>>>>> .. .
>>>>>> Well...
>>>>>> What we've always done is fill it most of the way, then start it to
>>>>>> get it circulating and top it off....
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Never heard of anyone running it dry before filling it..
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Kate
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Clint" > wrote in message
>>>>>> news:2Bcoh.557260$1T2.129266@pd7urf2no...
>>>>>>> So the FSM says "engine should be running when re-filling cooling
>>>>>>> system". How much time do I have to get it filled before bad things
>>>>>>> (over-heating, etc) happen? I'm presuming having my coolant mixed
>>>>>>> up and ready to go would be a good idea, but other than that? Do I
>>>>>>> have to run like a madman from starting the engine to get it filled?
>>>>>>> Do I need a helper standing there, dumping coolant in?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks for your patience and assistance!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Clint
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>

Engines with weird cooling system configurations aside, I have had very good
luck taking off the heater hose that goes to the head, or the temperature
sending unit, to use as an air bleeder. Also fill the heater with one hose
off and the other connected to the engine. Pour in a quart or so.

Bizarre things can happen if your thermostat doesn't have a tiny bleeder
hole in it. The head can get real hot, but since there is only air in it,
there won't be enough heat to open the thermostat. Then you get a big
bubble of steam and air which will sooner or later be released with a
"burp".

This isn't a matter of seconds. More like minutes before anything starts to
happen. A volunteer to watch the temperature gauge is nice, but not
necessary.

Earle

"Clint" > wrote in message
news:2Bcoh.557260$1T2.129266@pd7urf2no...
> So the FSM says "engine should be running when re-filling cooling system".
> How much time do I have to get it filled before bad things (over-heating,
> etc) happen? I'm presuming having my coolant mixed up and ready to go
would
> be a good idea, but other than that? Do I have to run like a madman from
> starting the engine to get it filled? Do I need a helper standing there,
> dumping coolant in?
>
> Thanks for your patience and assistance!
>
> Clint
>

Carl wrote:
> Yes, it can be a PITA. However, I've found that once you get the hang
> of it, it's not so bad. The Ford system is much easier to adjust, but
> also keep in mind that your Jeep system is MUCH more reliable.

I like the old chevy c-10. loosen two bolts on the alternator,
stick a 2x4 between the alternator and engine, pull, tighten bolts.

> "Clint" wrote...
>> Close enough. MJ, or Comanche pickup truck.
>>
>> BTW, whoever designed the drive belt adjustment mechanism on these
>> vehicles should have to personally apologize to every person who's
>> ever had to adjust one. What a PITA!