overheating

[vladj]

ok i started the cutlass today and let it run for a while for the first time. then the coolant started to boil in the coolant reserver. what could it be? the thermostat? or rad? or a blown head gasket? also the coolant looked like water so im trying to figure out whats in the rad at the moment

 

[dan2286]

Is the car actually overheating or is the coolant just boiling?

 

[vladj]

it doesn't have a temp gauge its a 79. but the coolant was boiling in the reserver so i thought that meant it was overheating

 

[TBRtat2]

are you sure it was boiling, or was there heated air coming out of radiator?

And do you have a proper mix of coolant and water?
Is the coolant still good? or is it time for a coolant flush?

 

[vladj]

ya it was boiling in the overfill tank. and the coolant looked like water it wasnt even green

 

[dan2286]

Since you said the coolant looks like water, you should definitely see what it is. Did you just put this engine in?

 

[vladj]

no i just got the car a couple of weeks ago. but i towed it to my house. and this was the first time i started the car. and then i see there is smoke coming from under the hood. so i pop the hood and i see the water is boiling in the overfill tank and it smells like coolant. but i do know this is a rebuild engine. oh and if it helps its a 305

 

[TBRtat2]

Ill bet your coolant is bad. if so your boiling point is probably way to low.
How was it running, did it seem like it was to hot?

 

[dan2286]

Check if the thermostat is opening by seeing if the upper hose feels like it has pressure in it. Make sure the antifreeze is not mostly water.

 

[vladj]

ya it did feel like there was pressure in the upper hose. also there was drops of water coming out the driver side valve cover on to the exhaust manifold. but the coolant did look like water it wasn't even a little green its just clear