Cooling System Operation Question

[sjanisz]

Hi Everyone,
A quick question for all you observant types.
Recently had my oil cooler spring a leak, which basically pumped 5 litres or so of oil into the waterworks.
Having got rid of most of the goo, and replaced thermostat, I notice that when the engine is running there is an intermittent flow of coolant from the top engine vent pipe ( not the radiator return) into the expansion bottle.
Is this normal ?. I have not looked at this before but with all thats gone on I am a bit paranoid.
No bubbles in expansion tank when revving or water in oil.

Thanks in advance.

SJ

[Das]

When you say intermittent, what do you mean? The top return pipe should flow all the time up until the thermostat opens, after that I have no idea if it flows at all or only if the engine cools enough for the thermostat to close. How is the Temp gauge when running normally? At this time of year 90-92 should be pretty much normal.

[sjanisz]

Thanks for your reply,
The flow is there all the time but the amount varies (imagine squeezing a hose when it is running water).
Temperatures seem a bit low at 80 - 90, when stopped in traffic temp. goes up to 90, fans come in and it drops back.
I will observe a bit further now i know what it should do.

Thanks
SJ