Hi guys

Just after a bit of advice here.

Made a daft mistake today and forgot to fasten up rad cap. Drove a few miles up the road, and started smelling a coolant smell so immediately pulled over. Steam was now coming from under the hood. I realised what it was and tightened the cap again. I left it to cool down, and carried on for another mile back home. This time, the temperature guage went slightly over 210 and no heat coming from vents.

Am I likely to have damaged something or should it be fine after a refill in the morning?

It didn't overheat at all - at least not what the temp guage said, but will it give an accurate reading if there is air in the system instead of coolant?

Any help appreciated.

 

you should be fine .

 

I wouldn't worry about it. 210 is normal operating temp.

 

Thank you guys that helps my nerves. Stupid mistake to make I know.

 

Hey! $hit happens!

 

It does to me this week!

what would be the correct fill procedure? I have coolant ready to go in, do I simply add it to fill bottle or directly into the rad? I believe I won't need to burp the system as it's a 97? I've done a lot of searching but hey I'm a noob

Thanks again

 

You really shouldn't have to burp the system since you do have an open cooling system. But, Just fill the radiator to the neck and the over flow bottle to the full line. Just make sure it is a 50% coolant and 50% water mix.

 

Fill the rad to the top and bottle about 1/3. Let it idle with the rad cap off. Keep the rad full and when coolant/air "burp" out the rad, correctly install the rad cap. Check coolant in both the rad and bottle motor COLD for the next several days. Add coolant as necessary. Again, motor COLD.

 

Thanks for helping guys.

I went out to the Jeep this morning and filled up the rad as you suggested. I also added some ethylene glycol based blue coolant made by comma. I hope this stuff will be ok for a few days until I can get a proper flush done.

Since I lost most of my coolant and I have no idea what was in there before I hope it won't mind being mixed.

 

Well. it appears I have upset my Jeep. Coolant all refilled and seemed ok. Took it out for a drive and it's spluttering, misfiring and losing power. I suspect the pcm at this point as it's right next to the rad cap and it got wet. I guess it's either that or fuel pump.