Adding a thermostat bleed valve

[TurboRA28]

I'll need to scan a picture of the 3SGTE coolant system to show what i've done. But it is basically factory. Hot water comes out back of head, 1 small 19mm pipe goes back to water pump/thermostat area.. The other larger one goes to top radiator hose.

[GA65CELICA]

have you checked that the thermostate opens when is should, with the old boiling water and mug trick. i am not famillar with your set up but did you bring it up to temp with the radiator cap off, this can also help to bleed. when you have the thermostate out make sure that the water is flowing through the radiator. when cold take off the rad cap and if you can see water flowing then you shouldnt have a flow problem,

[jonra23]

I see you have been doing some pretty good lap times @ Wakefield so am guessing that when out and about the car runs cool enough with the holey theromstat in so pump, radiator etc are all obviously up to task.

I would be routing the 19mm hose so that it comes out of thermostat housing at the top then make sure that it runs up to top radiator hose so that any air trapped makes it way to the top tank, probably into the bend section of the steel pipe thet you have running along right side of motor (red dot in pic).

The header tank with multi hoses is just more stuff to go wrong.

[mrshin]

If you're looking for a cheap easy bleeder screw, trying pinching them from V6 commodores. A header tank isn't a half bad idea either, you could make one, buy one, or use a plastic one from an old Falcon, Camira, etc.

[gemtoy]

TurboRA28 - I am having a similar problem at the moment with my 3SGE in my race car. I have noticed that my temperature gauge which is in the top hose heats up very quick but the thermostat does not open, the temperature reads 104 c . I turn the engine off for a while to let the thermostat housing soak up the heat and then when I restart the car it is ok. I am looking at using a lower rating thermostat 77 c rather than the 82 c. I have also been told that because the head gasket is a rear wheel drive version too much water is cooling down cylinder No 1. My engine is ouit of the car now so it is a bit hard to do any more tests. keep us informed on what you find.

[TurboRA28]

I would be routing the 19mm hose so that it comes out of thermostat housing at the top then make sure that it runs up to top radiator hose so that any air trapped makes it way to the top tank, probably into the bend section of the steel pipe thet you have running along right side of motor (red dot in pic).

jonra23 - so would it still exit the back of the head ? like a T piece so it also goes to the top radiator hose?

Thanks
Joel

[jonra23]

For simplicity i would just run 1 hose from current top raditor hose down to thermostat housing, less hoses and fittings to give grief.

Probably wouldnt make much difference i guess as both would be coming from same area at back of head.

I am guessing that your temp sensors are in the top radiator pipe, if so by drawing water from the top pipe back to the water pump would give a positive flow past sensors all the time.

regards
jon

[TurboRA28]

Hmm yes making sense now.. Thanks all for advise i'll work through some of this very shortly.