Problems doing coolant flush on 1979 Ford Pinto (2.3L 4cyl Lima)
About 80,000 miles, 4spd manual. Got this car a few years ago but just recently started working on it.
So far I’ve only changed the oil, new battery, terminals, ignition coils, spark plugs and things of that sort.
It usually turns over strangely fast, and I was trying to do a coolant flush and just clean the system but it’s been acting different each time I turn it on with just the distilled water in there. It would either turn over in half a second or kind of scrape, sputter, then turn over.
It can stay running, but rpm’s would start to increase until I tap the gas pedal, then it idles normally, which I know is something I should look into. I got a good flush that time, but I just went to do it again, and there was a decent sized spark by the starter relay. I turned it off pretty quick and also noticed this hose that randomly fell out in between the alternator and radiator (pictured).
I am realizing now that I probably should have made sure the engine was in better condition before doing all this (especially if I have to run the car for 10+ minutes at a time during a flush). But since I already started this, I don’t want to leave water in the system, and cause internal damage/rust.
And of course since I am just now starting to work on it, it still has carb issues, mainly flooding that I know of at the moment. And these fuel issues are why i’m concerned to start it up again. If there is some type of fuel leak I do not want to start a fire or ruin the car.
I took the air cleaner off for the photos and showed the starter relay and how the hose looked when I found it.
Thank you for reading this and what do you guys think the next step should be?