I've been fighting a swinging temp gauge for a while now during the cars warm-up cycle. I have burped and burped this system as per Ogres Cave instructions and still the gauge swings almost to the red 2-3 times before settling just over a quarter on the temp gauge. New thermostat, thermostat cap, and radiator cap. Recently I discovered a small coolant leak out of the corner of the radiator as well. My question is, would this leak prevent me from burping all of the air out? Could this be sucking in air somehow? Head gasket problem?

If coolant can get out, air can get in. When the car is hot the coolant expands, then when it cools the coolant will contract and possibly suck air in. Additionally, being unable to maintain the correct pressure in the cooling system will result in erratic temperature control.

Awesome, thanks! I guess i'll have my radiator repaired and then try burping her again!

Well, I got a new radiator and burped the system. and while in the process I noticed coolant spitting out of my tailpipe. Is this a sure sign of a head gasket problem? I did a compression test on it and they were all around 140 except the belt side cylinder, which I couldn't get above 115. This was with the throttle closed, which I am now told is wrong. Either way i'm sure I would be told the same story.

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Red '84, 75,000 miles.. work in progress

Are you sure that it's coolant? It is getting cold out and there is a lot of condensation forming in the exhaust... Water coming out the tail pipe is a normal condition, but more noticeable in the colder temps...

well after starting and stopping the motor a few times while burping, i noticed it sprayed all over the ground (and probably all over my brothers Camaro) so I started it again and held my hand over the exhaust to try to catch it. After it ran for a minute or so it started coming out and it definitely felt like coolant because I could not dry my hand by rubbing it as you could do with water.

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Red '84, 75,000 miles.. work in progress

I can't think of any other things that it would be besides the headgasket. Brand new radiator and hoses, pipes are good, water pump is working, thermostat works. Plus my compression results and coolant in exhaust.

are you losing coolant ? did you have to add coolant?

Does the water or smoke slow down or pick up when the engine warms up?

is there coolant in the oil? the oil will look grey or milky - Stop the test!!! Stop the engine!!!

did you pull the spark plug with low compression to see if it looks like it was steam cleaned?

until your sure what it is, just add water not antifreeze

can u pressure test the coolant system? see if you notice more smoke in the tail pipe.

I am slowly loosing coolant yes, with no external leaks. The coolant coming out the tailpipe seems to happen after it warms up a bit, and exhaust smells sweet at start up. I checked the cylinder that was low and it didn't look steam cleaned, but seemed greyish. Oil looks fine.

did you ever figure this out? I may have something similar happening.

My 88 base coupe was doing the same thing. Mine had a small breach in the head gasket and it was blowing out the exhaust as well, but my far passenger side cylinder DID look steam cleaned!