[Samwich]

So,

I was having cooling issues with the Vit,

Replaced thermostat - Same issue.

Just replace the Radiator the othernight,
All new coolent.
Seemed fine, drove for 2 days without any cooling issues (where before it i would have major issues)

Opened the bonnet this morning, And check the radiator,
Coolent lvl had dropped ALOT in the radiator
The "overflow" tub thing i had filled up to max with coolent.

Now the coolent is right up the the top in the over flow bucket...

Anyone know whats wrong????

Seems something is blocked? :S

[atari4x4]

sounds like the rad cap is faulty & not letting it return..

:edit: also check for splits etch in that return hose.

[Samwich]

its a brand new radiator + cap? :S
The cap on the older radiator is new ish (brought when i first got the heating issues, maybe ill try that..

[royce]

was it overheating cause it was running out of coolant?

If the rad is low and overflow FULL something is pumping it out, like a cracked head

let it idle at temp with the rad cap off and look for bubbles

[Samwich]

I let it Idle when i put the new raditator and coolent in it with out the cap for about 20-30mins (so the termo would open and i could fill the radiator up more with coolent)

How would i know if i have a cracked head :/

[droverdave]

Take it somewhere and get them to do a cooling system pressure test. They essentailly connect an air compressor to your radiator.

you will find out very quickly if the cooling system is not sealed. (ie your cracked head).

If it leaks somewhere, now you gotta find it.

[Samwich]

its not leaking, its getting pushed into the overflow

already took it to the radiator plac, they said it was only the cap last time, charged me $45 and didnt do crap :/

[droverdave]

If its being pushed back into the overflow because of a crack in the head. Then with the engine off, if you presurise the cooling system, it will leak the other way...back into the head.

[Gwagensteve]

If a cracked head or failed heaf gasket is causing engine compression to leak into the cooling system, that's what you'll get- an empty radiator and a full overflow tank.

It could just be a poor seal on the overflow hose, but I doubt it.

Steve.

[jimnynutter]

Do an oil change after letting your vitara sit overnight and cool down, then when you pull the sump plug, if any coolant comes out of first then you have head gasket issue.

[shandy92]

can you take to a mech or a rad shop and get them to do a CO2 test (combustion gas test or sniff test), it tests for combustion gases in the coolant. starts off blue and turns green with combustion gas.

if it stays blue, then you know you are fine and its going to be cheap. it might just be sucking air through the coolant return line/bad seal somewhere/rad cap.

mine was doing similar, i had mine pressure tested for 30mins and would start up fine. never any water in the oil. just failed the sniff test.....cracked block. so dont think that if its holding pressure that its not a head.

[whincup]

i had almost the same issue once, turned out to be a really small leak from around my radiator hose clamp. but it only leaked when under load, had to get it to running temperature then give it some hard revs... are the hoses new and hose clamps tight? its particularly an issue after undoing a hose, old hoses in my experience dont like to seal once undone...