COLD RADIATOR problems!

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Jan 26, 2000 | 12:00 PM

SPLabar

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COLD RADIATOR problems!

Mar 26, 2000 | 11:19 AM

Katt

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COLD RADIATOR problems!

Hey guys, my water pump on my 88 F150 351W just went out, so I put a new one in, along with a new thermostat(195) and lower radiator hose. Now my temp. gauge is WAY hot! It almost went to the red zone just driving around the city, and the radiator is COLD to the touch. The heater hoses are HOT and the upper rad. hose is warm, but not as hot as the heater hoses. What would make the radiator so cold? It has no sign of heat except the tanks on the ends? I put the thermostat with the spring end towards the engine, just like the picture said. Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

Mar 26, 2000 | 11:26 AM

Katt

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COLD RADIATOR problems!

I just read my chiltons again, and noticed that I forgot to test the new thermostat in boiling water. Could the cold radiator be caused by so little coolant flowing that the fan just cools it so much its cold? One more thing, the new lower hose did not have a spring, neither did the old one. Is this okay? Thanks for all the help everyone! Im just scared the radiator might be bad! Expensive!
Thanks again

Mar 26, 2000 | 12:13 PM

PAUL_2

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COLD RADIATOR problems!

Katt,
Sounds like you have some air still trapped in the system .... try burping it once it cools off some and check the level both in the radiator and the recovery tank.
Paul

Mar 26, 2000 | 12:59 PM

Phillip Guidry

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COLD RADIATOR problems!

First, the last reply on air being trapped is a very good one. I usually run the engine with the rad. cap removed until the thermostat opens and starts circulating the water,then the water level will drop significantly,at which such time you can add the additional coolant need to the radiator. I also remove the rubber plug from the coolant recovery tank and using a funnel(for the tanks without a cap), I poor coolant into the tank until half full.This will assure that any additional coolant needed is drawn into the radiator upon cool down .

Finally, highly unlikely,but you may have gotten the wrong rotation impeller installed on the pump you just purchased even though the part number on the box was the correct one for you application. Small block pumps come in standard & reverse rotation styles for serpentine belt systems,but, not all serpentine systems require a reverse rotation pump.One single serp. belt requires a reverse rotation while a multiple serp. belt requires a standard rotation pump.
Phillip

Mar 26, 2000 | 02:00 PM

Katt

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COLD RADIATOR problems!

Thanks for all the help! I just removed the new thermostat, placed it in boiling water for 5min and it didn't open at all. I get a new one monday, and then burp the system and all that. Hopefully this fixes the problem!

Thanks very much everyone!

Mar 26, 2000 | 02:15 PM

CJay

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COLD RADIATOR problems!

Whenever I replace a thermostat I always drill a 1/8 hole or smaller in the outer edge of the stat. This will prevent the system from getting air locked.
For future reference.
Jay