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Hello everyone, Im having problems with my 1996 Continental it has the 4.6 dohc, A week ago my serpitine belt broke ,I was about 7 Blocks from home i returned and parked, it was hot but it didnt red line ,So I removed the belt and checked all pullies to see if any were frozen or had any type of play.they all spun smoothly I then replaced the belt and started the car it ran hot ,, so afterwards, I pulled the thermostat ,,I started it and ran it for 15 minutes I then realised that the bottom hose to the radiator was cold unlike the top one which was pretty hot, I also noticed that the heater blew cold air. It was over heating again , I then decided that I had no circulation ,so i think(water pump) So i pulled the water pump it looks good as it has no shaft play or any type of
noise or squeak,,Being that id already purchased a new one from NAPA I decided to install it anyway. So after assembly I started the car and drove it for about 30 minutes the heater warmed up for awhile i felt the bottom radiator hose and it was warmed ..I returned after the drive and let the car stay idling for approx 15 more minutes it began to overheat at this time i shut it down.....So what would be my next step should i replace the radiator ,,,Theres no water in my oil ,,theres no white smoke or steam comming from my tail pipe ...A friend suggested that my system should have to be put under some kind of pressure or vaccum to pressurize my system he says it sounds like an air lock.,,,,,The top hose fromthe radiator runs along the passenger side of my block running through about a 3/4 inch metalic type pipe in the middle of which there is a plug that can be removed with a 1/4 inch ratchet drive (does this have anything to do with purging my system) This pipe continues on to turn into what i believe is the hose to the heater core....Any suggestions??????? ps My thermostat is installed correctly.
Posted by: Psychostang
I know this is a few months ago, but yes you need to remove that plug when filling the coolant. That is the only way. If you don't, an air pocket build in the tube and doesn't allow coolant to flow thru the engine.
