Radiator Qs
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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Radiator Qs
Greetings!
I have a few questions about replacing the radiator in my Expy.
1> Do lower hoses exist which use traditional band clamps?
2> What is the best way to capture the coolant and transmission fluid prior to disconnecting the upper/lower hoses and tranny lines?
3> I've seen only a 1-core radiator for the 4.6L. Can I use the 5.4L radiator, and will all the transmission fittings line up?
4> Any suggestions about where to buy a new radiator?
The radiator is venting coolant where one of the aluminum core tubes meets the plastic tank, on the passenger side, near the upper radiator hose.
Around town, the leak is manageable with daily top-offs. On the highway, however, it takes maybe two dozen miles, and coolant begins to pool up on the passenger floorboard...I guess it's blowing out of the engine compartment and landing there. Stop-Leak hasn't worked.
Mine is a 2000 Expedition XLT 4x4 4.6L 6-code. I often pull a 6K# tandem-axle cargo trailer. 10+ years ago, I installed the OEM trailer wiring kit, a Factory Tech valve body, changed to synthetic fluids all around, installed underdrive pulleys and replaced the clutch fan+shroud with a Flex-A-Lite model 270.
THANK YOU!
I have a few questions about replacing the radiator in my Expy.
1> Do lower hoses exist which use traditional band clamps?
2> What is the best way to capture the coolant and transmission fluid prior to disconnecting the upper/lower hoses and tranny lines?
3> I've seen only a 1-core radiator for the 4.6L. Can I use the 5.4L radiator, and will all the transmission fittings line up?
4> Any suggestions about where to buy a new radiator?
The radiator is venting coolant where one of the aluminum core tubes meets the plastic tank, on the passenger side, near the upper radiator hose.
Around town, the leak is manageable with daily top-offs. On the highway, however, it takes maybe two dozen miles, and coolant begins to pool up on the passenger floorboard...I guess it's blowing out of the engine compartment and landing there. Stop-Leak hasn't worked.
Mine is a 2000 Expedition XLT 4x4 4.6L 6-code. I often pull a 6K# tandem-axle cargo trailer. 10+ years ago, I installed the OEM trailer wiring kit, a Factory Tech valve body, changed to synthetic fluids all around, installed underdrive pulleys and replaced the clutch fan+shroud with a Flex-A-Lite model 270.
THANK YOU!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,322
Likes: 5,132
From: 0,0,1
1. No.
2. Open the radiator drain valve and put a bucket under it.
3. Check with the people you buy the new radiator from.
4. radiatorexpress.com or radiator.com
2. Open the radiator drain valve and put a bucket under it.
3. Check with the people you buy the new radiator from.
4. radiatorexpress.com or radiator.com
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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Thanks. Is it possible to modify a lower radiator hose to use band clamps?
Is the radiator petcock the lowest point in the cooling system, or am I going to lose coolant from the lower hose despite draining the radiator through the petcock?
Some of the phone reps I talked to were no better than useless. And you'd think they'd have great application notes, but no.
Radiator.com may be a winner, they have a franchise only five minutes from my front door. If they bid the labor low enough I may have them do the wrenching.
Is the radiator petcock the lowest point in the cooling system, or am I going to lose coolant from the lower hose despite draining the radiator through the petcock?
Some of the phone reps I talked to were no better than useless. And you'd think they'd have great application notes, but no.
Radiator.com may be a winner, they have a franchise only five minutes from my front door. If they bid the labor low enough I may have them do the wrenching.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,322
Likes: 5,132
From: 0,0,1
I'm not sure why you'd want to but here goes...There is a plastic band around the end of the lower hose. If you can cut that band off without nicking the hose then you can slide the hose off, leaving the quick connect fitting in place. After slipping the hose back on use a clamp where the plastic band used to be. Of course if you're swapping radiators, you will have to remove the connector from the radiator and install in on the new one before lowering it into place.
Yes the petcock is a low point. After removing the lower hose you might get a bit of residual coolant out of it but not a lot. Just don't rush the draining process, give it time to bleed down.
Yes the petcock is a low point. After removing the lower hose you might get a bit of residual coolant out of it but not a lot. Just don't rush the draining process, give it time to bleed down.
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