• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Coolant Issues


adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
Where my radiator/s were crimped together, they only leaked when hot. So you may be on to something there.
Most radiator tank seal leaks are temp sensitive because the plastic and aluminum expand/contract at different rates.
 


black_demon69

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2013
Messages
1,510
Reaction score
142
Points
63
Location
AZ
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0l
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Over the years I've had more than one coolant hose continue to leak after a clamp problem, etc. It seemed like once they leaked for so long, they'd never seal no matter what style of clamp I used. A new hose fixed the problem.
I have in a pinch used gasket shellac on inner side of the hose then reclamp but can be a PITA too get off later.....
 

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
So I messed with it some more today. I think my ultimate problem is that the cap seal is leaking when it tries to pull coolant back into the system from the tank, and then runs down the hose and drips off the low point, which is just about right for where I see drips, when I see them. I'm going to swap from the Ranger that barely gets driven and doesn't have this problem before I go spending money on parts that won't fix it.

I also apparently had a huge bubble in the system because the radiator hoses were collapsing and the rad was going into vacuum after the thermostat started opening. Filled it up the whole way (I think) so I will see how that goes.
 

Rimjam

Active Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2018
Messages
264
Reaction score
114
Points
43
Location
Huntsville,AL
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
2.9
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Health is wealth
So I messed with it some more today. I think my ultimate problem is that the cap seal is leaking when it tries to pull coolant back into the system from the tank, and then runs down the hose and drips off the low point, which is just about right for where I see drips, when I see them. I'm going to swap from the Ranger that barely gets driven and doesn't have this problem before I go spending money on parts that won't fix it.

I also apparently had a huge bubble in the system because the radiator hoses were collapsing and the rad was going into vacuum after the thermostat started opening. Filled it up the whole way (I think) so I will see how that goes.

I had to replace my '88 2.9 radiator due to a pass side tank leak. The new O'Reilly's radiator leaked on the OTHER side at the cap. A second known good cap leaked also. I had O'Reilly's replace the radiator because I was sure there was a driver side tank crack just under the cap, they did so without complaint. To my surprise the SECOND radiator leaked in the same place! Letting the truck idle for several minutes revealed small bubbles underneath the cap at the overflow hose nipple. A simple fix I tell myself, a small hose clamp & all is good - NOT! Still had a small leak. Remove the radiator & discover the nipple was miscast; the mold was crooked & so the two halves of the nipple were offset. Careful use of a file & a daub of RTV silicone finally solved the problem.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top