Just did Thermostat , and new radiator cap and I currently have water and Flush cleaner in the system. Drove to work this morning 24miles in this Houston heat and temp averaged 195-205 F . When I got to work I popped t the hood and felt the two radiator hoses and both felt very hard and it felt as if the thermostat never opened. I started to squeeze the hose again and water and the bubbles from the flush cleaner started to come out of the elbo coming out of the over flow cap. Both my fans work so what could be the problem? I even bench tested the thermostat in a pan of hot water so I’m clueless !! Maybe clogged water jacket or something? Can anyone help me !!

 

Did you burp the cooling system?

where did you get your radiator cap and Thermostat?

 

No issues with fill levels in the radiator, right?

 

i got my cap from auto zone, and the thermostat from dealership. is there a bleeder valve for the TL or is the "burping method the only way to get the air out of the system?

 

Burping is the easiest way

 

ok it may be the quickest way but is there an actual bleeder valve to unscrew??

 

You should not use a cleaning agent unless you used the wrong type of coolant in the past.

There is a block bleeder screw by the rear of the oil pump, it's awkward and hard to unscrew. I suggest you don't touch that at all because you might end up stripping it if it's never been unscrewed in the past. Bleed the system as stated above with heat turned to max to open the heater core, run car until both fans come in.