radiator issues

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Dec 31, 2004 | 06:40 PM

Rangerman255

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radiator issues

ok, about three days or so ago i noticed that my truck was leaking some engine coolant. when i popped the hood to check it out i noticed that my top radiator hose looked like someone had squeezed it together. so my dad and i replaced the thermostat thinking it was faulty and changed the radiator cap. the leaking stopped but the hose keeps squeezing together and we have no clue what else it could be. if anyone has an ideas it would really be appreciated. i have to drive back up to tallahassee from ft. lauderdale on monday so speedy responses would be even better. it's a '00 4.0 v6. thanks guys.

Dec 31, 2004 | 06:41 PM

Rangerman255

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oh, and i almost forgot, my temp gague hasn't gone over normal operating temp, that's why we're so baffled.

Jan 1, 2005 | 11:23 AM

Rangerman255

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so nobody has any idea what it could possibly be?

Jan 1, 2005 | 12:09 PM

sjwoody

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From: ut

One of the causes of a squeezed, or "necked down" hose is interior deterioration. (This isn't evident on the outside of the hose). Replace the hose. Also make sure the fluid is full, not just in the overflow tank, but in the radiator as well. After this, closely monitor the fluid level in the overflow tank as you drive over the next few days. If the level falls, have the system pressure tested to find the cause of the leak.
Just my own opinion, but if you have a leak, fix it properly. Never add stop leak.

Good luck.

Jan 2, 2005 | 04:54 AM

CowboyBilly9Mile

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From: Eastern WA

Sounds to me like the line from the burp tank back to the radiator may be obstructed or collapsing. The radiator cap has a check valve on it; almost no vacuum at all is required for coolant to return to the tank. When you remove the radiator cap and the top hose is collaped what happens; is there a big gasp for air and is the fluid level full? Also does the coolant level in the burp tank rise on a warm engine and fall when the engine is cool (as should be)?

I am assuming that you're getting an abnormally cold reading on your temp gauge. With that being the case, odds are your temp gauge sending unit has failed. For some reason on the 4.0, they seem to like to do this. If your heater is working well providing generous amounts of hot air, I'd probably replace the sender. They cost around $20. Also, if you can get your hands on one of those infrared thermometers, you can confirm the engine temperature.

Jan 2, 2005 | 07:45 PM

Rangerman255

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well when i open the radiator cap there is a gasp for air, like i'm opening up a champagne bottle. my dad and i changed the hose today and it's still doing the same thing so i know it's not the hose now, and it only seems to be collapsing after it has sat for a while and cooled down, i drove my truck for a little bit, getting the engine nice and hot and checked the hose and it looked and felt the way it should normally be, but tonight it collapsed again. but my temp gague hasn't been reading abnormally cold, it actually is reading at the usual operating temp. it always does. but i would never put in stop leak. if anyone can respond tonight that would be great cause i have to leave for tally early tomorrow morning, and that way when i get up there to the ford dealer i can hopefully help them pin point it easier.

Jan 2, 2005 | 08:05 PM

Rangerman255

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well, i never thought about the hose from the resivoir to the radiator, i just pulled out something that was blocking it, i'm gonna run it right now and let it sit and post what happens, looks like that might have been the issue, thanks a lot guys.