Isaacmacleod
Newbie
Hello all, this is my first truck, a 1996 Chevy c1500 crew cab long bed, 5.7.
I just replaced the water pump, and fan clutch,
The upper and lower radiator hoses, thermostat,
And the heater inlet and outlet hoses.
At 54,000 miles.
I bought all gm genuine parts, and watched every YouTube video I could on the process.
I even fixed a ground wire which connects the rear passenger side of the engine block to the frame.
LONG STORY SHORT.
I replaced all the aforementioned parts.
Then on level ground, using the fancy no spill funnel,
I refilled with 50/50 dexcool until it stopped filling up, then started the engine and let it warm up with the fan on low, heater on high.
Upper radiator hose got hot, I squeezed the hose to burp it, got lots of air bubbles out of the radiator cap, more coolant got sucked in.
Then after about 15 minutes, no more air bubbles, steady coolant level.
Turned her off and refilled overflow reservoir, replaced radiator cap (with brand new one).
I thought I was done! Job well done I thought.
But when I tried driving the truck to work later that night, I noticed immediately when starting the engine, it jumped more than usual, you could literally see the front of the truck bounce up when I started it, and it sounded louder, more metallic gear noise.
Then when driving it, gurgling sound. Sloshing water sound coming from heater core area, (passenger side of cab). AND a faint but scary clicking noise.
I noticed at this point the coolant reservoir was empty.
P.S ; I read in the service manual that upon EVERY coolant drain and refill on this make and model you must add two AC DELCO coolant sealant tabs into the radiator or else the water pump may leak much sooner! This was information I didn’t see ANYWHERE else, wanted to share that here.
But anyways I’ve now reburped it three times following the same procedure. A little bit more air bubbles cames out each time.
I even jacked up the front passenger side a bit to raise the radiator to the highest point and help air escape.
I also never opened the drain plug on the engine block as I didn’t know it existed. I’m guessing I now have air pockets stuck In the heater core and engine block which would explain the rough start, noisy ride, and sloshing sound ?
Any advice greatly appreciated
My main goal in life is to make this truck last longer than I do damnit. and I’m 21
You must be registered for see images attach
I just replaced the water pump, and fan clutch,
The upper and lower radiator hoses, thermostat,
And the heater inlet and outlet hoses.
At 54,000 miles.
I bought all gm genuine parts, and watched every YouTube video I could on the process.
I even fixed a ground wire which connects the rear passenger side of the engine block to the frame.
LONG STORY SHORT.
I replaced all the aforementioned parts.
Then on level ground, using the fancy no spill funnel,
I refilled with 50/50 dexcool until it stopped filling up, then started the engine and let it warm up with the fan on low, heater on high.
Upper radiator hose got hot, I squeezed the hose to burp it, got lots of air bubbles out of the radiator cap, more coolant got sucked in.
Then after about 15 minutes, no more air bubbles, steady coolant level.
Turned her off and refilled overflow reservoir, replaced radiator cap (with brand new one).
I thought I was done! Job well done I thought.
But when I tried driving the truck to work later that night, I noticed immediately when starting the engine, it jumped more than usual, you could literally see the front of the truck bounce up when I started it, and it sounded louder, more metallic gear noise.
Then when driving it, gurgling sound. Sloshing water sound coming from heater core area, (passenger side of cab). AND a faint but scary clicking noise.
I noticed at this point the coolant reservoir was empty.
P.S ; I read in the service manual that upon EVERY coolant drain and refill on this make and model you must add two AC DELCO coolant sealant tabs into the radiator or else the water pump may leak much sooner! This was information I didn’t see ANYWHERE else, wanted to share that here.
But anyways I’ve now reburped it three times following the same procedure. A little bit more air bubbles cames out each time.
I even jacked up the front passenger side a bit to raise the radiator to the highest point and help air escape.
I also never opened the drain plug on the engine block as I didn’t know it existed. I’m guessing I now have air pockets stuck In the heater core and engine block which would explain the rough start, noisy ride, and sloshing sound ?
Any advice greatly appreciated
My main goal in life is to make this truck last longer than I do damnit. and I’m 21