Steve777
Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2017
- Messages
- 16
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Colorado
- Vehicle Year
- 1994
- Make / Model
- mazda
- Engine Size
- 4.0l
- Transmission
- Manual
Was driving the 94 B4000 tonite when I noticed the temp gauge moving a bit erratically up and down. No signs of overheating so at first I thought it was a wiring or sensor problem. But when I got to my destination in a few miles I checked under the hood. I could smell antifreeze. It was dark, so a bit hard to see even with a light, but the passenger bottom corner of the radiator was wet. Didn't leave a puddle but that seems to be the leak. Filled the now empty reservoir with antifreeze and distilled water and drove home.
At home I did some more checking. Still the only wet spot is the bottom corner of the radiator. I checked the upper hose connection on the rad on that side and it is dry. Also checked the drain spout and it is dry, so I don't think it is the source. Possibly the cap seam on that side but I couldn't see all of it and it seemed dry where I could see it.
So I guess I have two radiator questions for these trucks:
1. Any thoughts on common leak locations on these radiators which match up to these symptoms (passenger side bottom)? Any place else I should look before replacing the radiator?
2. Assuming it is the radiator, looks like two are available, a standard one for manual trannies, and a "heavy duty" one for auto trannies and the HD cooling system. Well I have a manual tranny but I think it also has the HD cooling upgrade (at least the fan fit the HD fan clutch when I replaced it). So which radiator do I get? Is the HD one really HD or does it just add an auto fluid cooler? Any easy measurements one can do to determine which radiator you have?
TIA
At home I did some more checking. Still the only wet spot is the bottom corner of the radiator. I checked the upper hose connection on the rad on that side and it is dry. Also checked the drain spout and it is dry, so I don't think it is the source. Possibly the cap seam on that side but I couldn't see all of it and it seemed dry where I could see it.
So I guess I have two radiator questions for these trucks:
1. Any thoughts on common leak locations on these radiators which match up to these symptoms (passenger side bottom)? Any place else I should look before replacing the radiator?
2. Assuming it is the radiator, looks like two are available, a standard one for manual trannies, and a "heavy duty" one for auto trannies and the HD cooling system. Well I have a manual tranny but I think it also has the HD cooling upgrade (at least the fan fit the HD fan clutch when I replaced it). So which radiator do I get? Is the HD one really HD or does it just add an auto fluid cooler? Any easy measurements one can do to determine which radiator you have?
TIA