Cooling system and thermostat schematic

[tehachapismiths]

On my 97 Lincoln Mark VIII the engine was replaced by the dealer a while back and since that time we were getting a error message 'low radiator level".

Most recently the engine has been slightly overheating and I replaced the thermostat but the engine coolant has been backflowing into the overfill container.

I am wondering I installed the thermostat in backwards or if the cooling system hoses were ever installed wrong?

Does anyone have a photo of how the thermostat housing should look and how the hoses
connect to the engine and radiator?

[Fordace]

you might have to burp the system after you are done....

http://www.markviii.org/LOD2/Thermostat.htm

[luxuryrules]

you might have to burp the system after you are done....

http://www.markviii.org/LOD2/Thermostat.htm

That's the most likely culprit. This cooling system is very particular about getting the air out.

[tehachapismiths]

Whats the best way to get the air out of the system?

[Fordace]

info borrowed from LVC forum

This is what you do. You open up the crossover tube nut when the engine is cool. Rock the car up and down really good so the coolant drops down. Add more coolant and rock some more. Once you have done this you will reach a point where no more will go in. Put the cap on and tighten a bit. Now start up it and run it for maybe 10 seconds. DO NOT REV IT, NEVER REV IT WITH LOW COOLANT - it will create foam, foam is deadly. After running it repeat above, add, rock, fill, rock, fill, etc.. then run again. Just keep repeating til you have no more air to escape.
In short, air in the crossover tube will prohibit the flow of coolant. When this happens coolant does not flow through the engine AT ALL.
This is an aluminum block and it does not take much to warp and destroy it. One over-heat is enough to do damage.