If fluid isn't circulating wouldn't that prevent the hot coolant from getting to the radiator and evaporating in the first place.

 

The coolant in the radiator isn't hot?


I live in Texas btw, and this started happening when we started getting days like 105, 103, 102. lol

 

Holding pressure is a relative term, could be 2lbs could be 20lbs.

 

Never be sorry - that was something else I thought of, but I wasn't sure on saying it out loud in fear it would be far fetched... guess I need to be a lil more confident in speaking 2 different diagnoses' shouldn't I?

--Cow-Chick--

 

Alright well I drove it around a bit in the 105 degree heat and it was running a little hot still...Not all the way topped out at hot, but about 3/4 of the way up and it usually sits at about the middle.

I was thinking maybe I didn't put enough coolant in last night after I replaced the thermostat, but it would pull it from the reservoir tank if that was the problem, wouldn't it? Cuz that tank is still full.

I'll try replacing the cap later, but I have to get to work and don't have time to do it right now...


I'm thinking it might be a head gasket after what that one guy said here. I don't notice any smoke necessarily when I start it up, but I have noticed a smell that smelled like coolant sometimes.

 

Well the 4.7 has aluminum heads so if you have been driving around for awhile with it overheating the heads might be warped.... Thats not such a cheap fix.

 

I don't drive it when it's hot. I've just been having to fill the radiator back up every couple days and it runs middle of the road like it's supposed to...But again, every couple days I open the cap and there is little to no coolant in the radiator and I have to fill it up again.


How much would it be to replace a head gasket if it is indeed blown?

 

At a shop? Not too sure. I can imagine that its not going to be cheap because it would be a solid day getting the heads on and off.

 

Well honestly I could do it at my friends house w his dad and him I think. His dad built a 69 camaro and a 68 from nothing, so I know he can do it I just didn't know how much parts would cost and what not

 

A bad radiator cap can allow pressurized coolant to escape from the radiator but not allow it to draw any back in when it cools down.
If it boiled it out, your reservoir would have overflowed and blew coolant all over the engine bay. It won't just evaporate from the cooling system.
Sounds like you have an air pocket now and perhaps a blown head gasket allowing coolant to be burned in a cylinder.
The radiator may be partially clogged as well.