Boiling water!

[backroad]

During the colder times, as everyone, I've needed to plug in the block heater. I've now noticed that after doing this for about a week, I'm boilng the water out of the cooling system. I can guarantee that I have no leaks in the system.

I'm now trying to figure out whether to replace the heating element, the cord or all of the above. I'm also not finding availability of the heating element on the internet for my first generation engine. Is anyone here able to help me with this?

 

[Grizzly]

If you keep it plugged in all night might be the problem. You should only have it plugged in for about 2 hours, depending on how cold it gets. Use a timer to get 2 +/- hours of electric currant. I can't imagine it gets too cold in any part of Arizona, except around Flagstaff.

 

[Grizzly]

Another thought. If it's boiling out through the radiator cap, you could have a weak cap.

 

[Midnite]

I'd strongly suspect the radiator cap too. If not the cap, then something else that's not allowing the system to hold pressure. If it can hold pressure you should be able to leave it plugged in 24/7 with the only impact being to your electric bill.

Mike

 

[Grizzly]

I'd strongly suspect the radiator cap too. If not the cap, then something else that's not allowing the system to hold pressure. If it can hold pressure you should be able to leave it plugged in 24/7 with the only impact being to your electric bill.



Mike

If he kept it plugged in 24/7 I'd hate to see his electric bill. Those things draw a lot of current. That's the reason for the 2 hour timer.

 

[Midnite]

If he kept it plugged in 24/7 I'd hate to see his electric bill. Those things draw a lot of current. That's the reason for the 2 hour timer.

Well sure, that goes without saying. My point was that if the system can be properly pressurized then the block heater shouldn't be able to boil the coolant no matter how long it's plugged in.

Actually, the more I think about it, I don't even think the thermostat should open just from the heat the block heater puts out, should it? If that's true, then the radiator cap wouldn't even come into play, I wouldn't think.

Mike

 

[Grizzly]

Well sure, that goes without saying. My point was that if the system can be properly pressurized then the block heater shouldn't be able to boil the coolant no matter how long it's plugged in.



Actually, the more I think about it, I don't even think the thermostat should open just from the heat the block heater puts out, should it? If that's true, then the radiator cap wouldn't even come into play, I wouldn't think.



Mike

I think I stepped on your toes and I didn't mean to. I just thought you may not want to leave it plugged in all the time or you may have to take out a second mortgage on your house to pay the electric bill, but since you're in Alaska that may be a different case.



By the way, we love Alaska. Been there twice and hope to go back many more times whenever the wife retires.



george

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

I have seen the same problem when a head gasket goes out in just the right area. The coolant is not actually boiling but pressure is pushing it out through the cap and it appears to be boiling. I have also not seen coolant in the oil in the vast majority of these cases.



Some questions:

Have you done a pressure test on the coolant system?

Have you pressure tested the cap?

Is the cap a Mopar or aftermarket? My experience with aftermarket caps has not been anywhere as good as Mopar brand. BTW I have tested hundreds of caps of all kinds.

How does your coolant temp guage read - low,normal or high?



Bob

 

[backroad]

Man o man. I forgot I asked this question.

Yes, the cap is new, as is radiator. I was using it all night long, several nights in a row. I have no coolant issues when I don't use it.

I'm currently living off grid in Bagdad... ... ... ... ... ... ..... Az... So I definitely do NOT use the block heater.

Thanks for all the suggestions.