Maybe the tank is cracked. Not unheard of.
Cooling Sysytem Problem
Hi All,
Hope you can point me in the right direction. I have a 1994 Seville STS. The "Check Coolant Level" light came on and the temp went way up. I dont know what the temp got to (my son was driving it), then the "Shut Engine Off" light came on so it must have gotten real hot. He shut it off and coolant continued to run out of the overflow hose at the bottom, driver's side front of the car. We got it back home and let it cool down. I went to add coolant and, although I cant even see the level of coolant in the fill tank, it starts to run right back out of the overflow hose. It doesn't seem to let me fill it up to the proper level before it runs right back out. Is something in the system clogged? What should I be looking for? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hope you can point me in the right direction. I have a 1994 Seville STS. The "Check Coolant Level" light came on and the temp went way up. I dont know what the temp got to (my son was driving it), then the "Shut Engine Off" light came on so it must have gotten real hot. He shut it off and coolant continued to run out of the overflow hose at the bottom, driver's side front of the car. We got it back home and let it cool down. I went to add coolant and, although I cant even see the level of coolant in the fill tank, it starts to run right back out of the overflow hose. It doesn't seem to let me fill it up to the proper level before it runs right back out. Is something in the system clogged? What should I be looking for? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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But the coolant runs out of the overflow hose at the bottom of the radiator. If the tank was cracked, wouldn't it run out of the area around the tank?
The overflow hose is actually at the top (by the filler neck) and is routed down. Is that the one you're talking about? If that is the case, then you should certainly be able to see the coolant level because that is no more than an inch from running over the top of the filler neck.
That's why I'm confused. I know I'm not filling it full enough to get the level to that hose at the top of the tank. But when I do fill it, it runs back out of the hose at the bottom, front of the engine. There's a hose there that the coolant is running out of. I am assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that that is the overflow hose. Is there a different hose that drains to that location?
If the hose in question is from the bottom of the tank to the engine, then that is the return hose I believe. Either the tank is cracked or the hose is split. I think the hose on the other end (at the bottom) is from the heater core.
OK, I'm an idiot. Upon further inspection, the coolant is running out of what looks like the drain tube which is on the bottom of the core on the driver's side of the radiator. It seems the petcock, which is directly above where the coolant was running out of, is loose. I tried to tighten it but it wouldn't tighten. It appears to be a two-piece plastic petcock but only the "handle" part of the petcock came out. Can I just replace the "handle" part of the petcock or do both pieces have to be replaced?
OK, I'm an idiot. Upon further inspection, the coolant is running out of what looks like the drain tube which is on the bottom of the core on the driver's side of the radiator. It seems the petcock, which is directly above where the coolant was running out of, is loose. I tried to tighten it but it wouldn't tighten. It appears to be a two-piece plastic petcock but only the "handle" part of the petcock came out. Can I just replace the "handle" part of the petcock or do both pieces have to be replaced?
It sounds like the valve came apart,go to "rockautocom" and type in your car etc. and put in part #3056858 in top right of page, it will show a picture of the valve and maybe help you out,I looked it up for your car and it's the correct one.
Thanks for the website, Creeker. Mine actually looks like part #61109 but the square piece that the petcock threads into didn't come out. Could it still be stuck in the radiator? If so, any tips on how to get that piece out?
Try pushing in as you tighten the drain valve.
Your welcome,looks like there is about 4 or 5 different numbers for the same part,my 3056858 is on the same list as 61109,why they do this I dont know.Thanks for the website, Creeker. Mine actually looks like part #61109 but the square piece that the petcock threads into didn't come out. Could it still be stuck in the radiator? If so, any tips on how to get that piece out?
Ranger,does this valve look like it would only require a 90 deg, turn to
operate?,I'm still not clear how it works. Also how do you think it is secured to the rad.?,there doesn't appear to be any threads on it.
I think it turns more than a 1/4 turn because there are threads about 1/4" long on the handle piece of the petcock. I would like to know how many turns it should take to tighten because that's what mine isn't doing, it's just turning and turning. It seems like it is backing out ok but I try to tighten it, no good. It's in a really tough spot so I'm hoping the other piece doesn't have to come out. I'm on the way to the parts store to see what they have. They don't have the #61109 in stock but say they have others..I wonder if "captive thread" in the parts description simply refers to type of thread on the petcock being specific to GM? If so, I could probably replace the whole "assembly" and be ok as long as both pieces are replaced? Which brings me back to figuring out how to remove the rest of the petcock still stuck in the radiator.
Keep me updated as I would like to try to drain my 97 sts also,but would like to know how that valve works,it probably has never been used since new,if you want to try a different approach, you can remove air cleaner assembly and possibly get a better view of the drain valve from above.
Fwiw,I looked up buick,olds. and chev., they all take exactly same petcock,I see what you mean by saying the 61109 is the one for you,it
looks like a bit of a thread on it,the picture on the delco one is not that clear but it doesn't look like it has threads??. I wonder why the one with threads also has that stem.
looks like a bit of a thread on it,the picture on the delco one is not that clear but it doesn't look like it has threads??. I wonder why the one with threads also has that stem.
I remember running across that petcock for the first time when I changed coolant on my '97. I kept trying to remove it and finally figured out that it does not get removed. Just unscrewed and pulled. That's why I suggested a little inward pressure to try an engage the threads.
In looking at the picture, it kind of looks like there are some spring type retainer tabs. I'm guessing that you just press it into place until you hear the tabs lock.
In looking at the picture, it kind of looks like there are some spring type retainer tabs. I'm guessing that you just press it into place until you hear the tabs lock.
You're exactly right, Ranger. It doesn't come out, you just loosen it and pull, and the coolant drains out. The square part of the petcock snaps into the hole. My problem is, the original petcock DID just come right out, and the threads wouldn't engage. I tried to snap the new one in, which worked just fine but when I tighten it, the coolant continues to drip out, as though it isn't fully tightened. My guess is there is still a piece of the old one still in the hole and it is causing the petcock to be off center when tight, thus still allowing coolant past it. I guess I'm going to have to remove the radiator to get a good look inside the hole....more of a project than I was hoping for. Any tips on removing the radiator in this '94 STS?
FYI Creeker...It looks like 4-5 full turns of the petcock should sufficiently loosen and tighten it.
Since the petcock is replaceable, is there any way to remove the whole thing and replace it without pulling the radiator? Another option would be to peek in there with a mirror and flashlight.
It is so tight in there, I could probably get a look at it with a mirror but the use of any tool is out of the question. The only thing I can get to it with is my fingers. I can feel something in there but picking at it with my fingernail won't dislodge it. I have removed the air cleaner box but still not enough room to negotiate. I can't get around the radiator crossmember from underneath either.
Thanks,and good luck,if it goes in a bit on the threads,do you think something like j and b weld would fix it.if it's dry, might be worth a try.FYI Creeker...It looks like 4-5 full turns of the petcock should sufficiently loosen and tighten it.
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