Antifreeze and Engine Coolant

More than likely, the thermostat is stuck. The thermostat is a valve that is supposed to allow water from the radiator to flow through the engine block. As the temperature rises, the thermostat opens and water from the radiator flows through the engine block and draws off heat.

If the thermostat is stuck closed, the water cannot flow, no matter how hot it gets. The pressure builds and the upper radiator hose can expand to a point. Eventually the hose will rupture.

Have an experienced mechanic replace the thermostat and the hose.

Frame

This is most likely your coolant.

I had to look at this question for a minute because you didn't say what year model we are working on or what engine size. But I guess we must have a 1996 or newer model, and we must be working on a 4.6 liter engine. If I am right about what we are working on, the bypass hose you have described, goes through a valley under the intake manifold, and exits at the rear of the engine, where it connects to a heater hose at the firewall. It is partly rubber hose and partly metal pipe, but it is made as one assembly. To access and replace, you must remove the intake manifold. After the intake manifold is moved out of the way you will see it clearly. At the back of the engine, on the right cylinder head, there are two bolts that hold it to the back of the head. There is also a bracket that is held to those bolts by two nuts that are screwed to threaded studs that are part of each bolt, so that you have to remaove the nuts, remve the bracket, then remove the studded bolts, and then remove the bypass hose/pipe assembly, all of this after you have removed the intake manifold.

In a 1994 Plymouth Acclaim, the coolant temperature sensor is typically located near the thermostat housing, which is found on the engine block. It is usually positioned on the intake manifold or near the cylinder head, making it accessible for wiring connections. To locate it more precisely, you may need to refer to the vehicle's service manual for a diagram or further details.

You'll need a vacuum pump that is used by AC service technicians.

From wikipedia

Antifreeze is used in internal combustion engines, and for many other heat transfer applications, such as electronics cooling and chillers for HVAC. Compounds are added to water to reduce the freezing point of the mixture to below the lowest temperature that the system is likely to be exposed to, and to inhibit corrosion in cooling systems which often contain a range of electrochemically incompatible metals (aluminum, cast iron, copper, lead solder, etc.). The term 'colligative agent' is to be preferred as, in warm climates, the benefit of these compounds is to increase the boiling point of the coolant, which should then be more properly referred to as 'anti-boil', and as anti-freeze decreases and increases both properties, respectively, 'colligative agent' more accurately describes the liquid. The term 'engine coolant' is widely used in industry.

thermostat install

If your van has rear heating it will have hoses and a heater core back there, that is most likely the source of the leak.

please be more specific, but in short - coolant system and coolant used is the same as any other car. rotary's do run hotter than piston engines on generally speaking.

yes

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You can in an emergency , but it's best to use a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and

preferably distilled water to provide freeze , boil , and corrosion protection

for the engine cooling system . The corrosion protection " portion " of the

antifreeze does " wear out " so change the antifreeze mixture as recommended

( Ford says to not exceed 60 % antifreeze in the mixture )

if water is getting in the oil you have a blown head gasket take it to a mechanic if you are just getting condensation which will look like oil and water sludge on inside of radiator cap, there is not much that can be done about that

there are other ways of flushing the antifreeze out besides the drain plug if the drain plug is jammed. for instance, loosen the clamp on the hose at the bottom of the radiator and pull the hose off. make sure to have a bucket or something large enough to catch all the fluid but small enough to fit under your vehicle. and watch out! it comes out fast!

Suppose x gallons of 50% antifreeze is added to 90 gallons of 30% antifreeze.

Total active ingredient in mixture = 0.5*x + 0.3*90 = 0.5*x + 27

Total volume of mixture = x + 90 gallons

Concentration of mixture = (0.5*x + 27)/(x + 90) = (50x + 2700)/(x + 90) percent

This should be 40%

So 40 = (50x + 2700)/(x + 90)

That is, 40x + 3600 = 50x + 2700

so that 900 = 10x and x = 90

So, add 90 gallons of the 50% antifreeze.

In fact, for this particular example, there is a short cut. You are adding antifreeze of two concentrations to get a result whose concentration is EXACTLY halfway. This requires the same amount of the two concentrations to be added together.

Loose hose clamp or fitting?

Thermostat housing loose? Expands when gets hot

First pressure test system to determine where leak originates

there is a sensor in the bottom of the coolant bottle, change this and you should be o.k. tap the sensor with a screw driver it will go out uts just stuck

As you did not include engine or Year info I will give a general answer.

Look on the top of the engine, most GM products with a bleed system have a small brass pipe thread plug in the top of a black or aluminum casting.

This is the bleed point, loosen the plug or valve and add coolant to the system until it flows from the bleed, tighten up the bleed. Done.

Repeat if needed.

No, or more accurately very unlikely, most antifreeze would also act to some degree as a coolant which is supposed to make water better at cooling your engine. Having said this the vast majority of cars should run at a good temperature on plain water so long as you keep it topped up and it is at pressure. Overheating would generally point to other problems (valves, sensors, leaks, timing, ect) more significant than lacking additives.

Antifreeze is important to keep the cooling system working, firstly it raises the freezing point of the water to stop it freezing and causing damage in cold weather. It also (again to varying extents) inhibits corrosion and helps keep you system free from blockages. So running without antifreeze can eventually cause your car to overheat but the problem may well not be fixed just by putting some in.

Usually a 50 / 50 mix of antifreeze and distilled water for year round use to provide

corrosion protection , freeze and boil over protection . In colder climates , Ford states

not to exceed 60 % antifreeze . The corrosion protection " portion " of the antifreeze

does wear out so follow the suggested change intervals for the type of antifreeze

that is required for your vehicle

Yes

two things to look at, #1, radiator cap is faulty, its a cheap fix, $6-7.00 at the auto parts store. The water pump may also be faulty, which will leak fluid from a seep hole under the pump housing. Open the hood, find the fan blade (Be sure car is not started) and the where the fan connects is the water pump. Grab the fan, and move it up and down. If it moves or leaks, then the water pump needs replaced. Also check the heater core to determine if fluid is leaking in the interior. Good Luck your thermostat may stuck in the closed position.

Red, five year, hoat type.