Radiator leak
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Radiator leak
I've got an 88 F-150 and am having problems with my rad. leaking. It only happens as I let it warm up. I leaks at the seam below the hose going to the eng.block. I let some pressure out by slowly releasing the lever on my rad. cap and that seems to fix it for the time being. The res. tank fills up a bit and all seems fine. Last night a came home and took a look under the hood and saw that the rad. hose was bulging once again, but the radiator wasn't leaking. I felt the hose and it was hard and i couldn't even press it to move the water inside the hose. It doesn't overheat. I've gotten some advice like it might be the a blown head gasket or that i might just need a new rad. Can I somehow test to somehow narrow it down. Please advice.
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Not necessarily, but it doesn't sound like the problem, either. I would get a new radiator cap. The cap is what regulates the pressure in the cooling system, and it doesn't sound like it's working right. But even under pressure, the radiator shouldn't leak and I would replace it. It's not hard to do, just a couple bolts, unhook the hoses and it pulls right out.
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I went through and did a compression test. I have the 4.9l 4x4 5 speed. Anyway, they all tested at 120psi except for the last cylinder on the rear of the block. The last cylinder showed signs of a fouled up plug. Dark greasy smoot. I guess what I was trying to see is if I had signs of coolant on the plugs that would indicate a bad head gasket or other type of problem. The last cylinder came in at about 95psi. So I'm still within 75% of the highest reading so that's ok.I went and got a 7psi radiator cap and no leaks. I'm torn between getting a new radiator or a thrmostat or both. Anybody have any advice??? Tahoe Ram
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,420
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From: Langhorne, PA
A complete cooling system overhaul IS NOT out of the question. I would start seriously thinking about a new radiator ($150 US) new upper and lower hoses, a new cap, cooling system flush and t-stat.
The cooling system is so important, also, it is one of the most cost-effective repairs you can perform.. The parts are not too expensive, and easy to come by. The cooling system repair is a good do-it-yourself project also.
The seals on your side tank are worn-out, they can be replaced, but it is better to just get a new radiator, I had my radiator seals replaced, but then the side tank cracked 6 months later. I advise buying a new radiator and be done with it.
If you have the extra bucks, you could also consider changing the water pump while the rad is out, and down the line you may want to change your heater core as well.
My 92 has a brand new cooling system, it makes my engine very happy
The cooling system is so important, also, it is one of the most cost-effective repairs you can perform.. The parts are not too expensive, and easy to come by. The cooling system repair is a good do-it-yourself project also.
The seals on your side tank are worn-out, they can be replaced, but it is better to just get a new radiator, I had my radiator seals replaced, but then the side tank cracked 6 months later. I advise buying a new radiator and be done with it.
If you have the extra bucks, you could also consider changing the water pump while the rad is out, and down the line you may want to change your heater core as well.
My 92 has a brand new cooling system, it makes my engine very happy
