Coolant spitting out overflow

jeffwilson0

New Member
Feb 28, 2007
20
1
3
NB, Canada
88 Notch, converted to MAF, E303 cam.

I just bought this car, it was used strictly for dragging. First trip out I found out the stat was stuck closed. Short trip, replaced it with a 160, bled the system of air. 2nd trip out and it blew the hose off from the water pump to the thermostat housing at high revs. Oops, my fault forgot to tighten the clamp. Filled up the rad, let it run until the temp came up to normal, put the cap on and a way I go. Today I notice after a 10 minute run I notice coolant spitting out the overflow (attached to lower passenger side frame rail) but only at idle. Do I have too much coolant in it? The jug has to nipples, one is attached to the overflow from the top of the rad, the other has nothing. If I plugged that empty one with my finger, it would proceed to come out around the 2 round caps. Here is a pic of the overflow with what looks to be a missing hose.

overflow.jpg
 
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That's the carbon canister for the gas tank evaporative emissions system. It has nothing to do with the radiator. Look for as split or leaking hose or gasket.

The code 85 describes the evaporative emissions system best.
Code 85 - CANP solenoid - The Carbon Canister solenoid is inoperative or missing. Check vacuum lines for leaks and cracks. Check electrical wiring for loose connections, damaged wiring and insulation. Check solenoid valve operation by grounding the gray/yellow wire to the solenoid and blowing through it.
The computer provides the ground for the solenoid. The red wire to the solenoid is always energized any time the ignition switch is in the run position.

Charcoal canister plumbing - one 3/8" tube from the bottom of the upper manifold to the rubber hose. Rubber hose connects to one side of the canister solenoid valve. Other side of the solenoid valve connects to one side of the canister. The other side of the canister connects to a rubber hose that connects to a line that goes all the way back to the gas tank. There is an electrical connector coming from the passenger side injector harness near #1 injector that plugs into the canister solenoid valve. It's purpose is to vent the gas tank. The solenoid valve opens at cruse to provide some extra fuel. The canister is normally mounted on the passenger side frame rail near the smog pump pulley.

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It does not weigh but a pound or so and helps richen up the cruse mixture. It draws no HP & keeps the car from smelling like gasoline in a closed garage. So with all these good things and no bad ones, why not hook it up & use it?


The purge valve solenoid connector is a dangling wire that is near the ECT sensor and oil filler on the passenger side rocker cover. The actual solenoid valve is down next to the carbon canister. There is about 12"-16" of wire that runs parallel to the canister vent hose that comes off the bottom side of the upper intake manifold. That hose connects one port of the solenoid valve; the other port connects to the carbon canister.

Purge valve solenoid:
6



The carbon canister is normally mounted on the passenger side frame rail near the smog pump pulley.

Carbon Canister:
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I just went out and checked and yes there is coolant coming out of there as the previous owner appears to have ran a rubber hose from the filler neck of the rad to that spot. I guess they didn't like the stock overflow location cause there is none there. HAHA. Things like this I have been chasing for a month. This explains my situation a little better. Thanks for the diagram, now to straighten this out.

The more I think about this, I might be in for a little work. The upper intake has to vac ports that have nothing attached, there is a wiring connector on the firewall (drivers side) that looks to be vac related as well that is not plugged in. Yet the car starts and runs awesome. Also, it is set up for a wet nitrous kit. Let the hunting begin....
 
Jesus, the po ran the coolant line there? I bet that thing is filled now. Probably junk and needs to go.

Shouldnt really run a 160 stat either. EFI likes to run in the 185-200 range and running too cool of a stat can hurt by keeping the motor too cold and the mixture rich. 180* is really the lowest one should run.
 
Oh its full of coolant now. Everytime I get on it, it shoots up and coats the underside of the hood, which drips onto the engine...what a mess. I have a 180 stat here too, I picked up both, so when I source a stock overflow I will change out the stat at the same time. Thanks for the tip.

I guess that explains why it smells so gassy in the garage and right after you get on it hard inside the car. hehe.
 
I guess that explains why it smells so gassy in the garage and right after you get on it hard inside the car. hehe.

Well, that could also be due to the fact that the charcoal canister is now a coolant dump bottle. :)

I can see the original lines are gone, so the previous owner probably has an open gas tank vent line somewhere venting raw gasoline vapors out.

The way the charcoal bottle works os that the gas tank vent line runs to it. Passes through inert charcoal, and then is drawn into the intake through a vac line. Those lines are now missing on your car, so somewhere there is an open gas vent line that you should really fine as it could be a safety hazard.