Engine overheating

[Farmboy]

Ok so I finally got the truck put completly together and the belt on. I pulled it out in the driveway and let it run for probably 30-40 minutes while I was working on the turn signal wiring. this is the first time I have had it running longer that 10 seconds since the accident. all seemed good, so I took it up to get the windshield replaced (2 miles up the road). on the way up there it overheated on me. keep in mind that it is like 8 degrees outside. I got out and felt the upper radiator hose and it was still cold. also, it was blowing cold air out the heater.

Right now I am thinking that I must have the thermostat in backwards or I have a junk thermostat. Could it be that I have an air bubble in there someplace, because I think I remember putting the thermostat in the right way. I will have to tear it apart and see, but what are you guys thinking.

[Ace]

I believe the upside-down thermostat is the typical culprit in that situation.

[Farmboy]

how many gallons of water should my truck take. I was talking to a guy here at work and he thinks I still have air in the system b/c I only have put like 3 gallons of water in it.

[BC847]

I believe the upside-down thermostat is the typical culprit in that situation.

Yup, the "Wiggle-Wire" needs to be up top.

[mprmn08]

if you pull it open and it was in right just drop it some water and turn the stove on with a thermometer in there and see when it opens (if it does even)

[PToombs]

FSM says 15.5 quarts for manual trans and 16.5 for autos.

[Richie O]

If I think I have an air bubble I loosen a heater hose and burp it out that way.

[Farmboy]

If I think I have an air bubble I loosen a heater hose and burp it out that way.

I might give that a try. When I went to go get the truck from the window place I put probably another 1/2 gallon in it. it didn't overheat on the way home but I still had no heat. So I think I still have some air in there somewhere.

Which heater hose is the return line from the heater core? I will loosen that one and let it pump the air out.

[DieselSharker]

I've been fighting with air in my system for about 2 weeks now. I'll burp it and it will run cool when I test drive it, then when I get up for work in the morning it runs hot. I flushed the system yesterday and put some of that Peak system cleaner in there and I'm driving it like that til tomorrow. Ran hot last night on the way to dinner but has been running cool since then. Tomorrow I'll drain it and flush all that cleaner out and fill back up with 50/50. I recommend this because you'd be surprised what gets in there. I pulled the plug on the head and put my garden hose in the radiator and let it run for about 5 minutes til it ran clean. There was so much sediment and brown water in the bucket I couldn't believe it.

[Farmboy]

well, after trying numerous things, I pulled the thermostat last night. I had it in correctly. It did not have any breather holes in it so I drilled two small holes to let air bubbles pass. I think that was my problem but we will see. I didn't have time to put it back together and let it run to see. Darn this working full time and going to school in the evenings!!!! I don't have time for anything!!!

[KTA]

Check your fan belt routing. It is more likely you have the water pump turning the wrong direction than air after such a long period of time.

[Farmboy]

Is there any one who has a schematic of the routing of the belt. I don't have a book with my truck. Also KTA I have only had my truck running two or three times since the start of this thread. (that is how little time I have to work on it.)

Edit: Or just tell me this.
Am I thinking right when I put the belt on. This has always been my approch to putting a belt on.... back of the belt goes on smooth pulleys and ribbed side of belt goes on ribbed pulleys.... then snake it around so that you can accomplish both of these.

[GO OVRIT]

Don't know if its still there or not, but there should be a schematic on the bottom of the hood.

[Richie O]

I stole this from philip's photobucket account.







.

[Farmboy]

well I have it routed right. I am not allways the brightest crayon in the box but I figured I could at least put a belt on correctly. I guess I was right.