Archived Radiator...ain't this nice!!

[Stmpplr]

Till I can get a new radiator and install, any quick fix patch it up make it run for a couple of days ideas? Still cool here in Maryland, should I pull the thermostat?

Thanks.

 

[lil red cummins]

first off, how bad is your leak. does it only leak when the truck starts to warm and put pressure on the radiator? if so you can probably seal it.



if it runs out even when cold, your chances of sealing are are reduced.



"Bars Radiator Stop Leak" is my first choice. it is available at all auto parts stores and maybe even wally mart.



also, make sure that you refill the radiator with the standard 50/50 mix of antifreeze. it may be tempting to put plain water in but don't do it. if you are home and this is not an emergency, a little extra cost for antifreeze is worth it.



there is no reason to take the thermostat out. it won't improve the situation.



if you do use sealer, it will instruct you to fill the radiator and then put the radiator cap on as normal to use the pressure to push the sealer into the leak.



if this does not work, you can run your truck with the radiator cap loose. that is, only to the first notch. since it is winter time, you really don't need the radiator pressurized (to increase the boiling point).



good luck



jim

 

[Hoefler]

If it is only one or two of the cross-flow tubes, you can cut them in two with dikes, roll the ends over and pinch them shut, and using a propane torch or one of them little butane torches, solder it shut. If you don't have a torch, pinch them over a couple of times and use vise grips to get a good crimp, then put some sealer in the system and you should be good to go for a while. A good temporally sealer that 99% of all 5vers have is, coarse ground black pepper. It won't clog the system, easily flushed out, what doesn't get flushed out will dissolve, but plugs most leaks.

 

[JoshPeters]

Judging by the picture your tank seal has let go. Unfortunately there is no repair for that. I have heard there are places that can repair the plastic tanked radiators, but I haven't had the need to try one.



DO NOT RUN WITHOUT THE T-STAT! You will overheat it! What happens is, the coolant passes through the radiator TO fast and does not transmit any heat from the coolant to the radiator. So the water passes through the radiator and does not drop in temperature, then goes back into the hot engine, takes more heat, goes through the radiator doesn't cool down, back into the engine... .....



Circle track cars, etc that run without a T-stat use a restrictor plate to slow the coolant down.



Josh

 

[Grey Wolf]

If it was me I would let it sit until I could repair it. But if I had to run it I would leave the radiator cap loose to the first notch so it won't pressurize the system and I would forget the temp. sealers. It would be OK for short distances in the cool weather.....

 

[Joe Mc]

I'm with Grey Wolf. If you "must" use it - you can try cleaning the area very well with a soft wire brush (brass one is best? then whip up some epoxy and gob it on. LEt cure overnight and give it a whirl. It's broken now and you can't hurt it - worth a try and you don't have all that other crap floating around in the system for the remainder of your days . . . MHO