engine overheated after coolant change

[Yuk_Nali_6.0]

I don't know what is happening but for some reason my truck only held about 2 gallons of coolant but calls for over 4 gallons. I was thinking it would suck more on down but it never did and overheated instead. Luckily I was in my garage and hopefully caught it in time. Can anyone tell me what to do?

 

[road1will]

You have a bubble in the system, I have a tool that uses vacuum to force the coolant into the system

 

[Yuk_Nali_6.0]

That's what I figured...so how do I get the air out? I obviously don't have one of those tools. My dad's Dodge has an air bleed valve.

 

[Rivieraracing]

I always fill up the resevoir until it is full, then run it till it warms up to running temp with the cap off, top it off, put the cap back on while it is running and give it a drive around the block, check it again and add if needed!!!
Another way to get rid of an air bubble in the system that has always worked for me is park the truck on a hill front first and let it run with the cap off, sometimes squeezing the top hose some, give it a try!!

 

[road1will]

Yea, just fill it up as much as you can, then turn the engine over for just a second and hopefully the water pump will pump some of the water. Several people have told me you can "pump" the lower radiator hose with your hand to get it to suck in some water. I don't know if I buy it though, seems far-fetched.

 

[Yuk_Nali_6.0]

Nothing has worked so far....it did finally go down some, but not much.

 

[jmildoc]

so is it still getting hot?

 

[Yuk_Nali_6.0]

Edit: sorry that was my wife posting...

No I just let it run for almost 10 min constantly watching the temp and it didn't get above half way. I can't explain it??

 

[jmildoc]

just a few minutes?!!?? did you use the dex cool stuff??? Drain it and try again or try and find a "flush kit"

 

[Yuk_Nali_6.0]

Edited

---------- Post added at 10:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:31 PM ----------

Ok so I finally gave up on it for the night. I let it run for about 30 minutes straight and it didn't overheat again, but didn't suck any coolant either. Its only got 2.5 gallons in it. Wasted a whole day on this 1 hr job and it still ain't right. I guess I'll just stick to the oil changes from now on.
Couldn't GM have avoided this problem by using a radiator cap AND the overflow jug?? Instead of creating a one-way air trap.