After more than a year of waiting, and over two years of thinking, I finally bought an 88 Formula with a 3.4 pushrod. I have never worked on a car before, but want to learn, so I can pass this knowledge to my son. I figured with all the support in this forum, I will be in good hands if I get in over my head.
My first newbie question relates to coolant. The car does not have any leaks and did not overheat during it's 5 hour trip home, but I noticed coolant in the reservoir tank was about 1.5 inches lower than the add line when not running. I want to add coolant to get to the add line but was not sure if I can just add coolant to the reservoir tank directly, or do I need to add more coolant using the burping process? Or should I just leave it alone. I have completed searches, but did not find anything about just adding coolant.
What is a good coolant to use?
I also need to figure out why the car is a bit idle loopy from 1k to 1.5k upon start up. But I have found some possible answers using the search feature. I will take one step at a time.
My first newbie question relates to coolant. The car does not have any leaks and did not overheat during it's 5 hour trip home, but I noticed coolant in the reservoir tank was about 1.5 inches lower than the add line when not running. I want to add coolant to get to the add line but was not sure if I can just add coolant to the reservoir tank directly, or do I need to add more coolant using the burping process? Or should I just leave it alone. I have completed searches, but did not find anything about just adding coolant.
What is a good coolant to use?
You need to check the coolant when the car is HOT. When cooled off, the coolant level should be below the line as you saw it. Right now, I'd just leave it alone. DO NOT start messing with the radiator caps because if you open the system, you may let air in and cause yourself a problem where there wasn't one.
You can use any of the yellow-green coolants. Do NOT use the orange stuff.
quote
Originally posted by Wannafiero:
I also need to figure out why the car is a bit idle loopy from 1k to 1.5k upon start up.
This is called "hunting idle" and SEARCH will turn up a lot of things to try.
Yes use any univeral antifreeze, not any red or specialized ones. I buy unmixed myself, pour half into another gallon jug, add water to both, and I have 2 gallons of premixed for the cost of one gallon of premixed. I dont worry too much about being on the level lines in the overflow. I just keep it so its between the lines and never have any problems. Except for convenience, I never figured out why people buy premixed for nearly the same price as unmixed. I see it at the grocery store too, people pay MORE for the little half cans than the full size cans right next to them. Someone was a marketing genius...double your profits.
So just to be clear, I can add additional coolant directly to the reservoir wihout having to go though the whole burping process? I am concerned about getting air in the system and causing problems.
