Need support. Just found out my radiator is leaking

[iboughtatahoe23]

Here’s old radiator. I could be wrong, but it looks like a big crack across the middle and it’s seeping?

 

[15burban]

You don’t think a couple trips around the block and some bumps won’t do it

It's worth a try. It should

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

It's worth a try. It should

My dad said, even if it starts overheating just to keep riding it, and it should work the air bubble out hypothetically speaking… unless I get some warning lights obviously and then I would kill it. My only concern is that I read in the manual that they will go into limp mode if it overheats.

 

[Doubeleive]

My dad said, even if it starts overheating just to keep riding it, and it should work the air bubble out hypothetically speaking… unless I get some warning lights obviously and then I would kill it. My only concern is that I read in the manual that they will go into limp mode if it overheats.

I would do like I stated, you don't have to jack it up much maybe a few inches, doing that just helps any bubbles out.
maybe not shake it while jacked up though that could be a bad idea if it slipped off the jack, I usually just put the jack under the front crossmember support when jacking up the front, which is just past the back end of the splashguard.
ideally you dont want to be driving it around getting it hot, especially not until lights come on, that's just asking for it.
start it up and let idle for a while and turn the heater on and go back and forth watching to see if the coolant drops and watch the temp gauge as well, it's going to take it at least 10-15 minutes at idle to even get warmed up, if it has sat overnight and it is cold out.
if it starts to go up above normal temp then you need to shut it off and double your work
did you take any other hoses off other than the ones attached to the radiator? did any plugs or sensors get knocked loose or unplugged?

 

[j91z28d1]

I haven't really been following along the thread but wasn't there something about some radiators needing a small restrictor in a top small hose? I believe it runs to the steam ports?

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

I haven't really been following along the thread but wasn't there something about some radiators needing a small restrictor in a top small hose? I believe it runs to the steam ports?

Run that by me some more please

 

[j91z28d1]

Run that by me some more please

I was mainly asking the other guys. I don't remember the details. something I saw searching around the site once. my memory is crap haha. but I wanna say some of the big aftermarket aluminum radiators were missing some kinda restrictor the oem had.

but again, nothing for you to worry about. just thinking out loud.


I think you're fine, just let it burp the system and you should be good?

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

I was mainly asking the other guys. I don't remember the details. something I saw searching around the site once. my memory is crap haha. but I wanna say some of the big aftermarket aluminum radiators were missing some kinda restrictor the oem had.

but again, nothing for you to worry about. just thinking out loud.


I think you're fine, just let it burp the system and you should be good?

Yeah, doing what @Doubeleive recommended

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

All right, got the heat cranked full blast jacked up a few inches off the ground. Let’s see how this goes.

 

[Doubeleive]

All right, got the heat cranked full blast jacked up a few inches off the ground. Let’s see how this goes.

if it starts to overheat you could use some vice grips and pinch that small line that goes from the radiator to the reservoir tank, just to see if there is too much flow, if that corrects it then you know what the issue is.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

if it starts to overheat you could use some vice grips and pinch that small line that goes from the radiator to the reservoir tank, just to see if there is too much flow, if that corrects it then you know what the issue is.

What would I do than?
How would I know if there’s too much pressure? Currently it’s about halfway to 210. Heater full blast. Operation radiator hose is getting warm. Heat seems to be warming up as well.

 

[Doubeleive]

What would I do than?
How would I know if there’s too much pressure? Currently it’s about halfway to 210. Heater full blast. Operation radiator hose is getting warm. Heat seems to be warming up as well.

just watch it for now, leave the reservoir cap off and just let it warm and keep topping it off, see what it does. if it stays at normal temp then put the cap on and go drive it like I said and then re-check the level, top off if needed.

 

[Fless]

All right, got the heat cranked full blast jacked up a few inches off the ground. Let’s see how this goes.

No need to run the fan full blast. That does nothing for the coolant flow. It could, however, cool the engine temp a bit if you have the heater control to hot.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

No need to run the fan full blast. That does nothing for the coolant flow. It could, however, cool the engine temp a bit if you have the heater control to hot.

OK, I turned it down to three bars because anything above I get an annoying squeak noise from the blower motor bearings lol

 

[Fless]

I haven't really been following along the thread but wasn't there something about some radiators needing a small restrictor in a top small hose? I believe it runs to the steam ports?

Not this. The port is the one in the radiator that goes to the surge tank, and if that hole is too big the engine won't heat up.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

And @Doubeleive I did feel that return hose the tiny one and there’s a little pressure but it feels like what it should be you know it’s not tight and firm

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

Not this. The port is the one in the radiator that goes to the surge tank, and if that hole is too big the engine won't heat up.

Does this apply to me?

 

[Doubeleive]

doesn't hurt to sit in there and give it a few good rev's to help push any bubbles out, do that a few times and then go check the reservoir level again

 

[Just Fishing]

I've had 0 issues getting the system to burp just filling it normally.

I will note that the thermostat can trap air, get the type with the little bleeder valve built in or drill a small hole in the thermostat.

I also like to lift the front when doing the initial fill, let it come up to temp and cool down, top off and go for a drive and top off before and after it cools off.

Repeat until it stays full.

 

[Fless]

Does this apply to me?

Yes, but it depends on if your radiator mfr made the hole the right size. Don't worry about it now; wait until the temp settles.