Radiator woes continue
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 751
Likes: 0
From: Cuba, AL (NO internet)
Radiator woes continue
Went to the trouble of pulling my radiator out because I thought I had a leak. All we found at the radiator shop was a slight leak in the petcock. Put a new one in and reinstalled the radiator. I filled the radiator and started the truck to burp the air out.....cap not on yet obviously. I watched like a hawk on the radiator and under the truck. Not a drip or drop at all. After about ten mins of running and letting the coolant circulate, I put the cap on. Instantly coolant started coming out of the overflow tube. This is a new 4# cap. The coolant wasn't even hot. I took the cap off...truck still running and coolant not even hot enough to blow out when removing the cap...and the overflow stopped completely. Cap back on, coolant flowing out overflow tube, cap off, stops again. I haven't even finished adding the coolant that came out of it back in yet. Never experienced this and I'm getting tired of this radiator. Any ideas because I have none on this. Thanks!
Phantom of the Phorum
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 1,696
From: Kentucky
Have you looked down in the radiator to see if bubbles are coming up inside?
First I would test the cap. New doesn't always mean good.
Then I would put a pressure tester on the radiator to see how fast it's building pressure. If it's not hot but building enough pressure to blow past a 4# cap there might be more going on than just the radiator.
First I would test the cap. New doesn't always mean good.
Then I would put a pressure tester on the radiator to see how fast it's building pressure. If it's not hot but building enough pressure to blow past a 4# cap there might be more going on than just the radiator.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 751
Likes: 0
From: Cuba, AL (NO internet)
I'll check the cap. I haven't had a pressure tester on it. And it had a few bubbles when I was burping the system.
Again, I can drive the truck for how ever long I want. It doesn't get hot. Not even in a parade for an hour going from just idling every few seconds to going 2mph for a few more.
Again, I can drive the truck for how ever long I want. It doesn't get hot. Not even in a parade for an hour going from just idling every few seconds to going 2mph for a few more.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 701
Likes: 1
From: Echuca VIC Australia
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 9,699
Likes: 823
From: Wentzville, MO
Would have never thought of that! Great info.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 11
From: Crossville, Tn
But his problem has nothing to do with overheating.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 564
Likes: 2
From: Buffalo
If I read it correctly you're running a 4 lb cap. I would bump that up to a 7 lb cap since increasing pressure raises the boiling point of the coolant. Raising the pressure should theoretically keep the coolant from puking out due to boiling. I don't know what motor or radiator you're running though.
wally
wally
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 294
Likes: 4
From: Pensacola, FL
Yeah, that's why you do it. The thermostat stays closed until engine temp is reached. That means no coolant runs from block to radiator. The hole allows the coolant to pass before the engine heats up and removes the pressure. Also helps when trying to get the air out of the system.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,288
Likes: 1,053
From: NM
All thermostats have some means of air bleed built in. If you hold them up to the light, you can see the seat or the disc has a wavy edge, or a notch cut in it to provide air bleed/minimum flow. The only exceptions are the kinds that have a separate disc to open/close a bypass.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,685
Likes: 80
From: Northville, MI
Sounds like lots of air in the system somewhere causing expansion and contraction. Usually in the heater core. Drop the end of the overflow tube into a gallon milk jug and the cycle the engine hot to cold 3-4 times. You should get less in the bottle each time if you are getting the air out.