1997 Sidekick Sport

[fixkick]

Thanks for the info!
The PO was adding water only. 
There was 3 gallons of water in coolant bottles in the vehicle! 
I added some 100% coolant (+/-12 oz)  to mix with the water just for some coolant/ anti freeze.


I am draining that today and going with the 50% coolant. 
Important with the winter blast we will get tomorrow!  What is best way to burp radiator? 



I have nose up (using hand and rag as hole cover sporadically) and run to get air out.
The PO was aware of the J18 thermostat oddity but that's not to say it is installed correctly.

I bought a code reader and plan to see what code is before I do anything.  This will hopefully tell me a lot! 

I hope to change oil and filter today as I realized that it has been parked and I bet no maintenance was done!
I will let make sure I get the run time for warm-up and see if there is a heating issue,then I will check the hose (J22) from the water pump, confirm thermostat is installed correctly. My next step is to look into the ECT.   (this ECT only works on J18s, dual ECT it is)
Will code possibly tell me something on this? sure if lucky we can always use luck here.
I plan to do a compression test next.  I can rent a tester from auto-parts store for a refundable deposit, checked on that yesterday.
Do compression warm to hot, not cold and block throttle open a tad or full. let the needle peak out.

Your point on new rings vs old walls is understood!
Ill post code when I read it.

Thanks for the info!
Hoopt

Got code PO 304 - #4 cylinder misfire.

first off thanks for sharing your cars problems and experiences for sure on j18,
check for bad spark to #4 , is spark plug tip odd looking, like green with antifreeze coolant or carbon or oil fouled? or even damaged in some odd way?
or bad injector (swap injector to prove.)
or low compression #4

I am not sure  how to burp this engine, and is skill unique on all engine,  but opening up hose up top is good idea. as you fill it up.
pure water has no chance ever on this engine, 200 stat and rear ext shows say 230f and water boils at 212F,  50 % or hand mixed to that,
I am not sure total number of quarts on  j18,  the G15 is like 10qt. (so 5 quarts of pure AF and 5 water is 50% on G16 but sorry I do not know your total quarts,  sadly
I guess at 12? qt but is wild guess.

See if the compression test passing and or if failing say on cyl 2 and 3 both , you can do a RAD leak down test to see of the head is warped, or us the green blue dye tester that sees exhaust gasses at the rad neck cap off .test.

yes getting all air out of the coolant can be a pain.
once full it must not show signs of bubbles but must be for sure full.
the side overflow bottom must suck in fluid as the engine cools this will happen a few times and not need top off or more, into said bottom this is the proof all air is out of the system and that head gasket is not bad, eating AF for breakfast.

good day and good luck and Cheers. and hang tight on the artic blow, -5f here is 100 year record in texas.


good luck to you.