-2 outside and it overheated!
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
there isnt any fluid left in the block...the truck ran for 20 minutes this morning, all that melted and got blown out the top hose. its all over the bottom of the hood, radiator, battery...
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
alright, got the whole system flushed completely. Picked up new thermostat (the one it had in it was fine, but it was a 180 degree thermostat...that explains why the heat sucks), new gasket (didnt even have a gasket on it), and 50 / 50 premixed antifreeze.
So guess what? When i put the thermostat back in, the housing snapped! I tell you what, I bought this truck for 600 bucks, and ive put 600 in it since! at this rate< everything is gonna be new on it in six months!
So guess what? When i put the thermostat back in, the housing snapped! I tell you what, I bought this truck for 600 bucks, and ive put 600 in it since! at this rate< everything is gonna be new on it in six months!
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Don't feel bad, back in the summer I was changing a tstat on a buddy's Bronco and one of the bolts snapped off in the aluminum intake. It can always be worse. If it hadn't snapped now, it probably would have some day while driving nowhere near your house and tools. If that is your only problem after freezing up, you're pretty lucky.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
ya, thats true...i was able to find a water outlet locally...well, not too locally, but not too far.
and i dont go anywhere without my toolbox! this truck is in pretty good shape overall considering its age and no one has really bothered to fix what issues it has. So these kind of things are a bit expected. The bed is coming off next month for body work and painting, and to fix all the issues it has from the cab back. One of the shock mounts on the frame rail has busted off, so it only has one shock on the rear. The gas tank is new, but they put the wrong gas line back in, so it leaks a bit of gas. All the wiring at the rear needs replaced. the e-brake is all jacked up, and i need to get that fixed...im tired of chocking the wheels each time i stop on an incline. The rear end is in good shape though! Dont get me started about the issues under the hood!
This is gonna be one hell of a truck when im done, but unfortunately, its also my daily driver at the moment, so it has to run!
and i dont go anywhere without my toolbox! this truck is in pretty good shape overall considering its age and no one has really bothered to fix what issues it has. So these kind of things are a bit expected. The bed is coming off next month for body work and painting, and to fix all the issues it has from the cab back. One of the shock mounts on the frame rail has busted off, so it only has one shock on the rear. The gas tank is new, but they put the wrong gas line back in, so it leaks a bit of gas. All the wiring at the rear needs replaced. the e-brake is all jacked up, and i need to get that fixed...im tired of chocking the wheels each time i stop on an incline. The rear end is in good shape though! Dont get me started about the issues under the hood!
This is gonna be one hell of a truck when im done, but unfortunately, its also my daily driver at the moment, so it has to run!
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,516
Likes: 401
From: W. Central FL.
Yeah I realize I am late to the game but what you are discribing is not uncommon to see when temperatures drop below normal for an area or if the vehicle has not been properly winterized.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
ya, i should have checked it. just didnt really think about it since the heat was working fine in our "normal" winter weather here....
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
ya man, i love this truck. I have never owned a truck before, always gone with the sports cars, but i wont sell this thing for anything. Just gotta put in the wrench time, and its gonna be a good solid truck that will last me for years!
off topic, but how the heck to i get the pic of my truck to be my "avatar"?
off topic, but how the heck to i get the pic of my truck to be my "avatar"?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 2
Sounds like someone either didn't know their own strength or didn't torque down both bolts in equal lengths. But not an expensive fix...shoulda been under $15 for that housing.
As for the $600...depending on the condition of the vehicle (typically drivers), I always plan on spending 500-1500 over the first 6 months of ownership. A $1000 rig, I'd probably plan on spending $1500...on a $3,000 truck, probably $500. They don't always use it, and that's just gravy, but keep I keep the cash accessible until I feel I've properly assessed the vehicle. You gotta pay to play, either do it up front with better rig, or do it on the back end fixing a cheaper rig.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Sounds like someone either didn't know their own strength or didn't torque down both bolts in equal lengths. But not an expensive fix...shoulda been under $15 for that housing.
As for the $600...depending on the condition of the vehicle (typically drivers), I always plan on spending 500-1500 over the first 6 months of ownership. A $1000 rig, I'd probably plan on spending $1500...on a $3,000 truck, probably $500. They don't always use it, and that's just gravy, but keep I keep the cash accessible until I feel I've properly assessed the vehicle. You gotta pay to play, either do it up front with better rig, or do it on the back end fixing a cheaper rig.
As for the $600...depending on the condition of the vehicle (typically drivers), I always plan on spending 500-1500 over the first 6 months of ownership. A $1000 rig, I'd probably plan on spending $1500...on a $3,000 truck, probably $500. They don't always use it, and that's just gravy, but keep I keep the cash accessible until I feel I've properly assessed the vehicle. You gotta pay to play, either do it up front with better rig, or do it on the back end fixing a cheaper rig.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Rockport, IN
Sounds like you got one that hadn't been driven in a while. The worst thing anyone can do to a used vehicle is let it sit. Don't be surprised if you start having issues with the brake system next. It would have been nice if all the problem was was a stuck thermostat. It seems strange to me that the fluid in the radiator was frozen solid, but the fluid in the block wasn't.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 2
Don't get me wrong, I wasn't trying to insinuate money was the problem, just that I learned a long time ago, to set some coin aside for the sure to come problems. Hell, I've been known to purchase basket cases, because most of the fun is building/fixing the rig...IMO.
I'm thinking ambient engine temp warmed up the stuff in the block, while the stuff in the radiator was out front taking the brunt of a 45mph wind (or whatever the rate of speed was), and didn't have anything to heat up the stuff that more than likely froze over night.
I'm thinking ambient engine temp warmed up the stuff in the block, while the stuff in the radiator was out front taking the brunt of a 45mph wind (or whatever the rate of speed was), and didn't have anything to heat up the stuff that more than likely froze over night.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 16
From: Ideeho
Sounds like you got one that hadn't been driven in a while. The worst thing anyone can do to a used vehicle is let it sit. Don't be surprised if you start having issues with the brake system next. It would have been nice if all the problem was was a stuck thermostat. It seems strange to me that the fluid in the radiator was frozen solid, but the fluid in the block wasn't.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
When I flushed it, the liquid was just about perfectly clear...just a hint of green. Thinking that the previous owner only ran the truck in summer, thus the 180 degree thermostat and almost water radiator fluid....just a guess, but that's probably it.
And I didn't take offense to your post....but I gotta say, it sucks having all these issues in this cold a## weather!
And I didn't take offense to your post....but I gotta say, it sucks having all these issues in this cold a## weather!
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 426
Likes: 1
From: Caledon ON
The rad usually freezes before the block due to it's relative exposure to the cold compared to the block. The cast iron kind of acts like an insulator. Also the block was probably slushy but melted when the engine was running but the rad would have stayed frozen as there is no heat to melt it. I would take the rad out and take it in the house to let it defrost in the bath tub (sorry wife or mom or ....). Then put the rad back in and fill with a good 75/25 mix of coolant. Remember, the coolant strength is not only for winter freezing but for summer cooling. The stronger the mixture the higher the boiling point as well as the lower the freeze point.
Good luck.
Good luck.