radiator question
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radiator question
1999 E150 van V6. I noticed an antifreeze smell the other day. Later in the day the heat was hardly working. I get home and coolant is all over the engine and hood, and the coolant was empty. I looked for a leak, all the hoses seem fine, it looks like the radiator itself is leaking pretty bad, when I drive it's splashing on the belts and spraying everywhere. Is it common for a radiator just to spring a big leak like that, I figure it would be more gradual. Could it be something else that I might have missed?
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,182
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
Fill it up and let it run while you stand and watch. Yes, its common for radiators to just spring a leak. Mine did at less than 100K miles and three years old. It was where the top met the core. Its soldered together there. Never could fix it so I replaced the radiator. Problem solved.
Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT
Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,515
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From: Jasper, MO
Seems to be the number one ford radiator malady. right at the top of the core, on the engine side, the tank loses its solder there. I took mine to a radiator shop and the guy cleaned it up and soldered it and even painted it for 60 bucks. Another time I bought one for another van in a wrecking yard for 40. check around.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Jasper, MO
Nooooo wait... that's an Oring setup... misread the post. Thought you said 89 lol....
It IS possible to replace the oring, but not at home. and the repair usually costs more than a new one. O' really's has a great price on em
It IS possible to replace the oring, but not at home. and the repair usually costs more than a new one. O' really's has a great price on em
New User
Joined: Oct 2006
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Ford ratiators are not worth fixing. I am on my third one. 1994 E150 5.8L 110K The problem, I am told, is the rust generated from the engine block. They didn't put enough nickle in the metal when producing the blocks.
I would like to find a high quality radiator, has any one tried fitting the diesel radiator in their van? Assuming it is of higher quality, I am guessing it might provide extra cooling.
I would like to find a high quality radiator, has any one tried fitting the diesel radiator in their van? Assuming it is of higher quality, I am guessing it might provide extra cooling.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 145
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From: So. California
'98 5.8L 100 K miles Club Wagon radiator leaks at the top
I seem to have company. I just noticed some spotting on the pavement. Thought it was oil, at first, and then realized it was coolant. With my hood open, standing over a cool vehicle, I can see coolant along the seal at the top. I suspect the O-ring is dying.
From casual inspection, it seems this radiator is held together with some sort of giant circumferential clamp. So I thought that the O-ring might be replaceable. I don't see solder anywhere, though the radiator has been painted glossy black. Still looks good after 100K miles.
I suppose I could just buy a new radiator, but will it be as good as the original? I have always maintained my system well, and my radiator fluid is clean. The reservoir is still holding the appropriate amount. This leak has been noticed early.
Any advice would be appreciated.
From casual inspection, it seems this radiator is held together with some sort of giant circumferential clamp. So I thought that the O-ring might be replaceable. I don't see solder anywhere, though the radiator has been painted glossy black. Still looks good after 100K miles.
I suppose I could just buy a new radiator, but will it be as good as the original? I have always maintained my system well, and my radiator fluid is clean. The reservoir is still holding the appropriate amount. This leak has been noticed early.
Any advice would be appreciated.
