Car over heating

[Tim 76' 280Z]

If the head gasket is blown Im guesing its not really that much to really be noticable. The one thing Ive been thinking about is maybe i filled the radiator to much after I got done putting in my new water temp sensor. Is it possible to put to much coolant in the radiator?

Edited November 11, 2008 by Tim 76' 280Z

[DeesZ]

The one thing Ive been thinking about is maybe i filled the radiator to much after I got done putting in my new water temp sensor. Is it possible to put to much coolant in the radiator?

From experiences that I have had with other vehicles, I would say 'yes'. How full/high did you fill it? If it was filled to the neck, I would say it was too full. I usually leave about 3/4" ~ 1" of air (but assure that all internal radiator parts are submerged) so that the coolant has some room to expand as it heats up. Otherwise, something has to give when things get hot.

Please keep us updated.

[Tim 76' 280Z]

Ok. I think I filled it to much then. I filled it to the top. The reason I thought of this is because the temp gauge was not reading anything over normal the night it "over heated".

Edited November 11, 2008 by Tim 76' 280Z

[DeesZ]

I hope then that the 'overheating' part of your problem is solved. Unfortunately it doesn't help address the 'not starting' problem (unless things were getting doused with spurting coolant).

[Tim 76' 280Z]

I just got home from work. Ive had the battery charging all day thinking thats what my problem was for the car not wanting to start. Well she fired right up ran like crap for about 30 sec. So i just turned her off. I looked at the dip stick... no white chunks but there are now little brown pockets of oil in my coolant. I am not a motor guy so this is going to be a challenge for me but I got all winter to do it.

[JimmyZ]

It wouldn't hurt to run it some more and see what happens. The "white chunks" will be seen when the oil is cold. As the oil warms it turns to clear water. I'd run it some more and see if it overheats or misbehaves some more... Just to be sure.

Years ago my mom's ski boat w/ Chevy 350 had a condition which filled the crankcase with water. ( Actually meant "added" not "filled") The oil was a frothy mess of milkshake looking stuff. It's amazing the engine didn't seize. We changed the oil while still hot and remedied the water's path into the engine. (water via bad exhaust cooling gasket) Years later it's still doing fine. Just don't turn mad rpms with it while testing it.

The real question is are you absolutely sure that it's oil in the radiator? Could it just be some remnants of Bars leaks or chunks of rust swimming in there? If it really is oil then is it as simple as a blown head gasket or is it a cracked head or block. More than likely it's just a head gasket. Wouldn't hurt to have the head zyglowed while it's off.

Cya,

Jim

Edited November 13, 2008 by JimmyZ