No Engine Heat

[Crippin87]

Ok so recently I replaced my radiator. My factory one got a split in the plastic tank so I replaced with an all aluminum one. After dropping the new one in I noticed I had a very low temp on the gauge. I assumed it was the thermostat so I replaced it. After doing so, I noticed a leak on the water pump of course lol so I replaced that too. So after all of that work I still can not get the motor to warm up. At idle the temp gauge will rise to about a quarter of the gauge, while driving it barely moves off the bottom line. I attached a pic of where it sits while in motion. I thought it was just air stuck in the system so I have tried to “burp” it probably 4 times with no success. Today I took the heater core hoses and pushed compressed air through it thinking it might flush out a blockage or something, then pushed the air out with the water hose before reconnecting the heater core hoses. There was no blockage and that also did not work. I’m looking for any help or advice anyone on here can provide because I am all out of ideas lol.

 

[Fless]

@Crippin87 the factory radiators have a restriction for the hose going to the surge tank. Aftermarket radiators often don't have this restriction, and the coolant flows too freely into the surge tank, causing low engine temps. If yours doesn't have the restriction in the radiator, you'll need to do something to make that hose a bit less free flowing.

I know there's a thread or two on here about it and if I find it I'll edit it into this message.

EDIT: here's one of a few: https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...ing-low-operating-coolant-temperature.111471/

 

[OR VietVet]

An all aluminum radiator dissipates heat real quick but that is after the hot coolant gets to it. Since it seems you had good heat before radiator replacement I would check to see how that can effect that system. I think I read here somewhere about all aluminum radiators and bypass lines and.....hell I just don't remember. Did you put the correct temp thermostat in it? Pushing compressed air thru a heater core is risky about blowing a seam in it. A water hose would have been as far as I would have went. Someone will help here.

 

[Crippin87]

@Crippin87 the factory radiators have a restriction for the hose going to the surge tank. Aftermarket radiators often don't have this restriction, and the coolant flows too freely into the surge tank, causing low engine temps. If yours doesn't have the restriction in the radiator, you'll need to do something to make that hose a bit less free flowing.

I know there's a thread or two on here about it and if I find it I'll edit it into this message.

EDIT: here's one of a few: https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...ing-low-operating-coolant-temperature.111471/

Wow! That is identical to my issue lol. I have searched high and low trying to find an answer and there it is lol...hopefully. So simple.

 

[OR VietVet]

I knew I read that somewhere.

 

[Doubeleive]

ya if it's not the flow going back into the reservoir then next suspect would be a thermostat stuck open, you should be able to just look at the reservoir tank and see if the coolant is just flowing thru.

 

[Crippin87]

ya if it's not the flow going back into the reservoir then next suspect would be a thermostat stuck open, you should be able to just look at the reservoir tank and see if the coolant is just flowing thru.

It does, and just like the other thread states it has a ton of flow immediately. I’m going to look into some some way pinching the flow down. It would be nice if there was a hose the correct size on either end but smaller in the middle. It would have been a lot cooler if GM just put a smaller diameter hose on there instead of a restrictor in the radiator lol. Reading through that thread at least makes me feel better, I’m not the only person that this issue has stumped lol.

 

[Crippin87]

You’re a life saver Fless

 

[Doubeleive]

It does, and just like the other thread states it has a ton of flow immediately. I’m going to look into some some way pinching the flow down. It would be nice if there was a hose the correct size on either end but smaller in the middle. It would have been a lot cooler if GM just put a smaller diameter hose on there instead of a restrictor in the radiator lol. Reading through that thread at least makes me feel better, I’m not the only person that this issue has stumped lol.

others have just put a hose clamp on it and tightened it down, it's something the radiator manufacturer overlooked, usually crops up on the cheaper models.

 

[Fless]

You’re a life saver Fless

Just passing along what I've learned on TYF! Let us know what kind of solution you use. For a test, maybe an adjustable clamp that leaves things open a little.

 

[ks03]

On mine, I bought a 1/2” aluminum rod from Home Depot. Drilled a 3/32 hole down one end, then cut off about a half inch chunk, chamfered the ends a little with a file. Took the hose off the reservoir end, slid in my new restrictor.
I’m guessing the hole through might be on the small side, but idk what the correct size is, but as long as it flows at all, I figure it does its job.
Of course putting a loose item in your system is dangerous. Be certain anything used is trapped

 

[Crippin87]

others have just put a hose clamp on it and tightened it down, it's something the radiator manufacturer overlooked, usually crops up on the cheaper models.

That’s what is frustrating lol I spent probably double on this full aluminum one in hopes that I would prevent future problems from the plastic tanks on the OEM radiators. I have thought about emailing the manufacturer to let them know about the problem and maybe they could fix it for their radiators moving forward, but I’m sure it would be a waste of my time lol. Anyway, I put a hose clamp on the line today just to test it and make sure and sure enough, temp gauge moved up. I was really surprised at how much I had to tighten it, I got it pinched down pretty far and I still need to go a little more. I’m going to try and come up with a good solution to this and I will keep everyone updated with what I figure out. Thanks everyone for the input!!!

 

[Doubeleive]

That’s what is frustrating lol I spent probably double on this full aluminum one in hopes that I would prevent future problems from the plastic tanks on the OEM radiators. I have thought about emailing the manufacturer to let them know about the problem and maybe they could fix it for their radiators moving forward, but I’m sure it would be a waste of my time lol. Anyway, I put a hose clamp on the line today just to test it and make sure and sure enough, temp gauge moved up. I was really surprised at how much I had to tighten it, I got it pinched down pretty far and I still need to go a little more. I’m going to try and come up with a good solution to this and I will keep everyone updated with what I figure out. Thanks everyone for the input!!!

try the hose clamp with a bolt that way it can squeeze around the curved part of the bolt instead of just pinching the hose

***I have thought about an all aluminum one before but the shops say they all start leaking (eventually) and cost a lot to fix when they do.

 

[Crippin87]

try the hose clamp with a bolt that way it can squeeze around the curved part of the bolt instead of just pinching the hose

I didn’t block it completely off, I figured it would be best to leave some sort of flow going through. Are you talking about if I removed the hose from the overflow completely?

 

[Doubeleive]

I didn’t block it completely off, I figured it would be best to leave some sort of flow going through. Are you talking about if I removed the hose from the overflow completely?

no I mean insert a bolt between the hose and clamp, then tighten the clamp, when it tightens the hose will bend to the shape of the bolt making it more adjustable sort of (i think)
just an idea
even a round piece of plastic or wood dowel would work

 

[Crippin87]

no I mean insert a bolt between the hose and clamp, then tighten the clamp, when it tightens the hose will bend to the shape of the bolt making it more adjustable sort of (i think)

Ah gotcha, yea I didn’t think about that, probably a good idea lol

 

[Doubeleive]

Ah gotcha, yea I didn’t think about that, probably a good idea lol

i figure it's better then just squeezing the hose to eternity

 

[Crippin87]

i figure it's better then just squeezing the hose to eternity

For sure, definitely makes sense lol

 

[Doubeleive]

not sure what size that hose is but something like this is a much better solution, it's a adjustable inline valve to control the flow
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-LEGRIS...639016?hash=item4b4acf2e68:g:XCEAAOSwWo5bYlOQ

 

[Crippin87]

not sure what size that hose is but something like this is a much better solution, it's a adjustable inline valve to control the flow
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-LEGRIS...639016?hash=item4b4acf2e68:g:XCEAAOSwWo5bYlOQ

That would be perfect, thanks!!