Viper over-pressurized coolant system

mountain_mod_viper

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Feb 21, 2005
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I tried a search first, but still not sure.
My coolant system seemed to be over pressurized today, which I first thought must be due to a bad head gasket. BUT, with a bad headgasket, wouldn't I have compression entering the system and blowing coolant out of the overflow? I just have tons of pressure, but not loosing coolant.

My next thought is that maybe it is a bad thermostat, but would a bad thermostat cause the excess pressure?

My water temp sensor (racepak) hit 200 degrees a couple times, and my rails were cold, so I know there is a coolant circulation problem. Then, I'd let the pressure out of the bottle, start it again and ride for a minute and it would shoot down to 140-150, then gradually climb back to 180 and stay for a while, then sometimes climb to 200. It would only take a minute of idling to get a ton of pressure again. It seems like my temp normally runs around 140-150. Also, does anyone know what temp the idiot light is supposed to come on at?
 
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Take your thermostat out & inspect it, push it in & out you will notice that it will bind, so when you let the pressure off it...it sort of unbinds it, until the next built up of pressure...tip...to see if your water pump is circulating, remove thermostat & re assemble the therm. housing & with the cap off the reservoir you will see that the coolant is flowing while running the sled on a stand...also retorque your cylinders & head after a warm up, but not on a hot engine...post back findings...cheers
 
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If it is a head gasket run it with the cap off. It will have air bubbles come to the top of the coolant level if it is a gasket. Might not be enough preasurte to pop the cap. Maxdlx
 
Thanks guys, I'll be looking into it tomorrow!

Update: Fixed the problem. It was the head gasket!
 
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