View Full Version : pressure in radiator
et7333
06-24-2008, 09:14 AM
Opened the radiator on my sbc camaro drag car the day after the races when it was cold and noticed it had pressure in the radiator.Is this normal,car runs great.
suicidebomb
06-24-2008, 09:29 AM
Do a differential compression test, you may have a blown head gasket. You might try retorquing your head bolts, can't hurt. No, a cold pressurized radiator is not normal.
et7333
06-24-2008, 04:43 PM
Head gaskets are not leaking internally
N2Dirt
06-26-2008, 03:37 AM
i had this problem in my sprint car engine a couple of years ago. It never ran hot, but would loose a little water and a few days after racing when I removed the radiator cap it would release pressure. It ended up being a hairline crack in one of the cylinders.
I pressure tested the cooling system and could not find anything. It was such a fine crack it would only open up when the motor was up to temp. Combustion gasses in the cooling system is the only thing that will keep the radiator pressurized.
et7333
06-26-2008, 01:37 PM
I did a combustion gas detector test and fluid did not turn yellow and this morning no pressure in radiator.
altune
06-26-2008, 03:40 PM
Could possibly be cavitation in the water pump.
seen it a few times.
make sure you bleed out the air in the system.
Al
et7333
06-30-2008, 06:04 AM
I just found out that the Recirculating/catch can inner tube is broken,could this possibly cause air to draw back in the system,and pressurize the radiator after a day of racing when the system is cold?I have zero loss of coolant.
mytmouz
06-30-2008, 06:53 AM
Try another radiator cap...
et7333
06-30-2008, 07:02 AM
Try another radiator cap...-I did,same thing happens
topcat572
06-30-2008, 08:59 AM
I seem to get in unique situations. Everyone seems to run a 1 qt overflow tank. On my past 2 cars, it would always over flow if I added enough water to when it cooled down it would not suck air back in. On the roadster we kept adding capasity till it worked right, on the dragster had to add a 2nd tank hooked in series. It now holds enough water that only water is sucked back in. Works great like this, and I now suck off the bottom. I could just never get it to work with 1 qt. Good Luck.PS I run my over flow tube from the can out back past the chute just in case it over flows, it will not get under the tires. :wink:
promodjohn
08-04-2008, 06:05 PM
just a question do you have a vacuum pump on that engine if so are you able to keep a vacuum on the crankcase?