Archived spewing coolant

[AMcCormick]

backing my support trailer in to a space I see something spewing from the front of my truck. coolant tank is empty. after refilling and getting home I cant find the leak. the bottom corners where the plastic alloy joint are is where the drips are forming. Could the joint between the end caps and main failed? With the engine cold she is fine. engine running and getting warmer she drips more and more, while backing the trailer I needed some ground cover. Stupid question but where does the coolant tank plumb into the engine?

Thanks for the help

 

[Skydiver]

Next time you're up to operating temp look inside of the coolant tank. See any bubbles?

Answer yes = bad radiator cap or blown head gasket.



The coolant tank catches the coolant as it heats up and expands, then allows this coolant to return to the engine through a special valve in the radiator cap when it cools.

You might have something simple like a condenser full of bugs or a bad fan clutch.

 

[turbo torque]

Check the side tanks on radiator where its crimped to the rad core. The brass part that crimps to the core was cracked on mine and would only leak when up to temp. Very small leak and hard to find. good luck

 

[AMcCormick]

The only thing I can find are drips forming on the bottom corners where the core is crimped to the plastic sides. Looking first thing this morning there was a small amount of fluid on the cardboard underneath. Letting her idle and looking everywhere the drips form rather quickly . in that location, i did not get all the way up to full temp as friday when she was gushing. I'm thinking that the crimps have worked loose. if this is the case am I looking at a replacement radiator? if so I would like one that does not have the crimped on plastic. Thanks for the help

 

[turbo torque]

Looks like you probably need a radiator. On mine the crimps didn't work loose but, right next to them there was a vertical crack in the brass, way too close to the plastic stuff to consider soldering. This was last summer with scrap copper at an all-time high. I broke even scrapping mine and going with an aftermarket aluminum one. I don't think you'l find one without the crimp style but good luck. Bill

 

[AMcCormick]

ideas for an aftermarket 3rd gen radiator? would rather put something better than stock

 

[wcjp]

Does your stock have plastic end caps? If so, Stock is better than what you have?

 

[AMcCormick]

yes plastic ends crimped on the core and yes stock as far as I know. Possible the previous owner replaced some where down the road. I got the truck with 160K it now is just over 200K. Are you saying that a factory radiator does not have the plastic ends?

 

[MMeier]

I think what he is saying is this... since yours is leaking and is basically in need of work, a stock one that does not would be a step up. My opinion, if you can swing it, have a local radiator shop make you up a aluminum radiator. Although the stocker in mine does OK considering some of the things I have hauled in 120* plus temps.