FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Cooling System Low Coolant Level

AERATION
Low coolant level in a cross flow radiator will equalize in both tanks with engine off. With engine at running and at operating temperature, the high-pressure inlet tank runs full and the low-pressure outlet tank drops. If this level drops below the top of the transmission oil cooler, air will be drawn into the water pump:
- Transmission oil will become hotter.
- High reading shown on the temperature gauge.
- Air in the coolant will also cause loss of flow through the heater core.
- Water pump seal may run dry, increasing the risk of premature seal failure.
- Exhaust gas leaks into the coolant can also cause the same problems.

DEAERATION
Air is removed from the system as it gathers in the coolant deaeration pressure bottle and is released into the atmosphere through the pressure valve located in the pressure cap when pressure reaches 110 - 124 kPa (16 - 18 psi). The air is replaced with coolant from the coolant deaeration bottle.