Topic: Burp your Kappa...

[jonymac]

Hey guys - been searching for the thread with the instructions on how to remove an air bubble from the 2.0 coolant system.  I have been getting low coolant messages and temp spikes over the past few weeks - happened after I removed a large trash bag sucked onto to front of the radiator, and didn't wait long enough for her to cool down to refill the surge tank.  Ever since then, I have had to top off the coolant and had a momentary temp spike to 240 or so and back down to normal levels (assuming this is the bubble moving around. 

Also, someone mentioned a TSB for check valves - anyone have the actual TSB number and text?

[chuckdoc]

Tab is really expensive if you are out of warranty.  Better off following the procedure.

When Joe checks this thread he will post but make sure your coolant level is up to the seam on the overflow tank.  If not, you will still have problems. 

[spider]

<This is done without starting the engine>Raise the overflow tank 14 in. above the bracket it is attached to. 1 bolt & 1 plastic tab to remove. Wait about 10 min. bring it back down check level. If its quite low gently pinch  (vice grips with jaws protected)the hose going across the front of valve cover to turbo coolant lines to keep from introducing more air when filling. The only check valve/s I'm aware of are within the surge tank cap.  

[spider]

Just ran across this overheating fix by Jeb Smith on the other forum. I used to do this with my classic minis which were prone to air pockets & overheating. Squeeze the drivers side radiator hose about 30 times. If that doesn't do it put on a heat resistant glove & do it again hot. <<<probably not necessary. Raising the surge tank would be helpful.

[DeepBlueGXP]

Jonny, Talk to Goat, there is a TSB, not sure off hand what it is but the TSB includes adding tow check valves to the system.  BTW, no one should ever open the coolant cap of the LNF until it's cooled off.  I"ll see if I can find the details.

[DickW]

I had the check valves installed under warranty. They said it would be around 3 or 4 hundred without warranty. They solved my problem.

[Sly Bob]

You could simply go to a GM dealer, buy the check valves and install them yourself. They are so cheap now it's kind of a no brainer.

You can get them at several different on line sources for about $8 each. I tried to find them at Crate Engine Depot but they don't have them listed.

http://www.gmpartsgiant.com/parts/gm-valve-20876185.html

Here's the pdf that outlines the procedure.

[snaponbob]

I had the check valves installed under warranty. They said it would be around 3 or 4 hundred without warranty. They solved my problem.

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A couple of $12 parts and .8 hour labor. That's about $400/hr labor rate. 

[snaponbob]

Still does not resolve the air pocket problem. I wonder why there is no air purge screw as seen on SO many Japanese and German cars?

[TomatoSoup]

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A couple of $12 parts and .8 hour labor. That's about $400/hr labor rate.  

Yeah, but.  When this TSB first came out the valves were ridiculously expensive - like $100+ each.  Now they seem to be priced far more appropriately, and hopefully the dealer procedure price will be as well.  

Great news Sly Bob, thanks for letting us know!

[jonymac]

Thanks guys!  I ordered the check valves - my warranty is long gone... 

[DeepBlueGXP]

When our LNF is hot, opening the overflow can cause air to enter into the system.  The air become trapped in certain points in the system and can cause overheating.  Best to pull over, turn off the car, wait a couple of minutes (fluid drains into gaps) restart the car and drive again, the temp will come back down.  This may occur again later so install the checkvalves prevent this.

[Sly Bob]

Great news Sly Bob, thanks for letting us know!

Not a problem but I can't take all the credit as Shabby mentioned it originally in another post.

[WWI Flying Ace]

Great info here!  Getting to the bottom of this issue was one of my happiest moments a couple years ago. 

[Unclefester]

Make double sure you are not leaking fluid. I had a problem with the water pump and they had to remove the turbo to get to it.  It would be fine until it  got hot, then it would leak.  I would come out from a location and there was a pool under the car, it was not dripping when I saw it.  It was fine until it got warm, then it leaked, once it cooled back down no leak.

[jonymac]

What was the problem with your water pump?

[Critterman]

I thought he stated what was wrong:

It would be fine until it  got hot, then it would leak.  I would come out from a location and there was a pool under the car, it was not dripping when I saw it.  It was fine until it got warm, then it leaked, once it cooled back down no leak.

I interpret that to mean the seal failed on the waterpump requiring replacement. 

[Graywolf]

If you look in the LNF service manual ,there is a simple 23 step process for filling a radiator and to remove your bubbles. Its easy to do ,you actually run your engine at various rpm as instructed,including elevation of the fill tank,clamping the H20 hose in front of the valve cover[small tube going to turbo] for 5 minutes with engine running at 2500rpm then removing clamp and run the car for etc etc  Process takes about 20 to 25 minutes

[Sly Bob]

Sent out a few emails today to see if I can find some one to ship a pair of check valves to Canada. A lot of dealers won't ship here.

And I called my local dealer in Canada today to ask them the cost of the check valves and they are STILL over $400 a piece list! Can you say highway robbery boys and girls?    

[wspohn]

If you look in the LNF service manual ,there is a simple 23 step process for filling a radiator and to remove your bubbles.

Simple and 23 step don't go together.

Simple was my 50 year old MG.

1 - remove radiator cap

2 - fill with coolant

3 - run engine adding more coolant as needed

4 - replace radiator cap - check level every 6 months or so

From where I stand, 23 steps, $400 valves that try to bandaid a bad design, and unending warranty returns for over heating  ain't progress, it's ludicrous incompetence.

[Cheers]

Thanks guys had this problem today -- for the first time -- suggestion worked

[sunnygator]

Which suggestion worked?   My "low coolant" light "flashed & dinged" at me twice yesterday, but went right out.  Temps were still right at 200 degrees F.  The coolant level is a little below the "cold fill" line but only a pint or so low.....hasn't been filled at all since new as far as I know (2007).

sunnygator