noticed foam in the radiator when burping system

[giosoccer20]

'99 2.5 rs. I just tried burping the system the way someone from here had suggested. (filling reservoir half way, then topping up radiator and running the car with full heat and open radiator cap until the engine fully warms up) I did all of this, and as I was watching the radiator, it overlowed a few times due to air, and after it finished overflowing, I started to notice a lot of tiny bubbles (foam). Now, was that just the coolant boiling, or does that confirm my suspicions of yet another blown head gasket?

I had the car started for a good 15-20 minutes, and the fans didnt come on a single time, and i revved blipped the throttle a few times and sustained the revs at 3k for a good 15 sseconds (after that isi when i noticed the foam accumulate). I also don't think i noticed the coolant moving in the system either, making me think the thermostat never opened.

My other question is, could the engine actually be overheating, without the temp gauge ever showing a spike in temp? because i have not seen it go up yet. I mean, if the coolant isnt circulating, the temp gauge wouldn't show any spikes right?

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[Eyedoc Orlando]

The radiator will overflow slightly during the burp, so that is normal.

The tiny bubbles are part of burping the system. If you're running 50/50 mix you shouldn't be boiling the coolant with an idle engine. It's not overheating if the gauge says it's not, but it's also not under pressure so it can act weirder.

Most anitfreeze should have an anti-foaming agent. Did you completely drain and refill the system, or was this just a top off?

[giosoccer20]

Originally Posted by Eyedoc Orlando

The radiator will overflow slightly during the burp, so that is normal.

The tiny bubbles are part of burping the system. If you're running 50/50 mix you shouldn't be boiling the coolant with an idle engine. It's not overheating if the gauge says it's not, but it's also not under pressure so it can act weirder.

Most anitfreeze should have an anti-foaming agent. Did you completely drain and refill the system, or was this just a top off?

Ah okay I see what you mean. It was just a top off too. Also, it wasn't just idling. the foam only happened after i sustained the revs at around 3k for 15 seconds or so.

[rebornS14]

foam?
if it looks like this, you have a problem

[giosoccer20]

Originally Posted by rebornS14

foam?
if it looks like this, you have a problem

so i have a problem if it looks a small thumbnail image of a piece of paper with a folded corer? If so, I think i'm fine...HAHA. On a serious note, that image isn't working.

And I already have a suspicion of a faulty head gasket anyways, I was just checking and praying that maybe it's something else. I don't get how I get internal head gasket leaks, when i have the phase II sohc engine. I've read that the DOHC were plagued with that problem, not the sohc's

[Zefy]

Originally Posted by giosoccer20

so i have a problem if it looks a small thumbnail image of a piece of paper with a folded corer? If so, I think i'm fine...HAHA. On a serious note, that image isn't working.

And I already have a suspicion of a faulty head gasket anyways, I was just checking and praying that maybe it's something else. I don't get how I get internal head gasket leaks, when i have the phase II sohc engine. I've read that the DOHC were plagued with that problem, not the sohc's

[giosoccer20]

[quote=Zefy;38607047]

No, it doesn't look anything like that. Mine were simply white small bubbles, making a sort of froth-like consistency. They had no color to them. but maybe that's because it was the topped up and clean coolant.

Well, first of all, what causes the yellow bubbles in that picture? Oil mixing in from a bad hg?

[giosoccer20]

I'd like to add also that the top radiator hose was also hot when I touched it. As in, I could only grip it for around 3 seconds until having to let go. I've read that the hose should never get that hot, and it should only be warm to the touch. radiator cap has also been cool after a drive, not even warm.

Not sure what the hot hose means though

[J-hop]

Originally Posted by Eyedoc Orlando

It's not overheating if the gauge says it's not, but it's also not under pressure so it can act weirder.

Unfortunately this is not true. Air is an excellent insulator (i.e. down jackets) so if you have an air bubble trapped against the sensor then it will read lower than it actually is. Ive seen this happen..

[giosoccer20]

I mean the temp gauge is exactly where it always used to be at normal operating temp, no difference whatsoever. So, hopefully that isnt the case with me or else that would just be awful