Coolant channel clog?

[bunni]

I am undergoing an overhaul of my engine (and have been "overhauling the rest of the car" for almost two years now haha) and went to drain the coolant out of the block. Pulled out the bolt on the right hand side (IIRC its the right side, its the side with the oil filter) and coolant barely came dripping out. I thought this was normal until I pulled the Y-pipe, and the bolt on the other side. Coolant came spewing out, visibly emptying the coolant sitting in the block. Went back to the dripping side, there is plenty of coolant sitting in the engine, I can see it, but its going nowhere slowly.

I assume this isn't normal behavior. Should I be concerned about it? I have no idea how well the coolant flows through the block or where this clog could be. Any thoughts on how to tackle it?

[Delorean Industries]

I am undergoing an overhaul of my engine (and have been "overhauling the rest of the car" for almost two years now haha) and went to drain the coolant out of the block. Pulled out the bolt on the right hand side (IIRC its the right side, its the side with the oil filter) and coolant barely came dripping out. I thought this was normal until I pulled the Y-pipe, and the bolt on the other side. Coolant came spewing out, visibly emptying the coolant sitting in the block. Went back to the dripping side, there is plenty of coolant sitting in the engine, I can see it, but its going nowhere slowly.

I assume this isn't normal behavior. Should I be concerned about it? I have no idea how well the coolant flows through the block or where this clog could be. Any thoughts on how to tackle it?

Put hose pressure to it from the vod y pipe junction. Probably corrosion deposited built up at the liner base. Very common to have happen. Are you planning on removing the cylinder heads at some point? This is the best way to properly clean out the block jacket cavities.

[bunni]

Thanks for the info, ill have to source a hose (surprisingly hard to do in an apartment complex). The heads are coming out in the next few weeks, I will really have a go at everything then I guess.

[DMCMW Dave]

Thanks for the info, ill have to source a hose (surprisingly hard to do in an apartment complex). The heads are coming out in the next few weeks, I will really have a go at everything then I guess.

In the mean time you can carefully poke through the deposit with a blunt tool (screwdriver). You'll be hitting the side of a cylinder, not much danger there, but don't mangle the threads of the hole. You will likely get an armful of coolant.

[David T]

If you pull the heads and then go poking around you should make sure the liners are secure by temporarily installing liner locks. Probably a good idea to drain the oil just in case you get any water or dirt into the crankcase.
David Teitelbaum

[chenderson2k]

Why not pull the other plug, disconnect the radiator, and simply flush both sides out with a garden hose and/or compressed air?

[Morpheus]

I had this happen on my previous car, the end of the passenger side coolant plug had corroded and sealed the hole. I poked around with a screwdriver until it let loose, all over my arm.

[bunni]

If you pull the heads and then go poking around you should make sure the liners are secure by temporarily installing liner locks. Probably a good idea to drain the oil just in case you get any water or dirt into the crankcase.
David Teitelbaum

Oil is already out and I will be cutting some liner locks when I get there. The plan is to go through everything with the Volvo engine reconditioning guide in my hand. After 30 years, 7+ of those being a daily driver by the PO; I want this engine to keep chugging away with as little problems as possible for as long as I own it. Which, since the spell of immortality I cast on myself seems to still be working, the car will be in my hands forever :D


Why not pull the other plug, disconnect the radiator, and simply flush both sides out with a garden hose and/or compressed air?

Like I said, a garden hose is hard to find in my complex, will probably find a way to attach something to my sink and run it around the house. And I don't have an air compressor, yet.