The "Y" (wye) in lower rad hose... can it be bypassed?...

[fixizin]

... e.g. if the infamous Coolant Temp Sender ELBOW (ell) does its inevitable crack-leak thaaang? The LOWER rad hose is mainly the cooled-off coolant coming OUT of the radiator, but do I understand that this "side hose" has hot water flowing OUT of the t-stat area, providing data to the sender/gauge, before flowing DOWN to join the main "cool uptake" into the water-pump, and out to the heads-block-etc?... or do I have it backwards?

 

[fixizin]

Hello, is this thing ON?... OK, so I'm 84.2% sure it IS a hot-water recirculate path, for faster warmup when t-stat still closed... which kinda makes sense since heater hoses + heater core are actually cooling the coolant, even with t-stat closed... yes/no?

 

[fixizin]

I'm just planning for the future, BUT... I know SOMEBODY has done this... youse guys is holdin' out on me...

 

[pjtoledo]

we're just testing your patience.
you do have a good question.

 

[fixizin]

LOL... like the coolant circuit over to the intake manifold (and the electric block heater), I'm thinking it's something nice to have in Minne-SO-tuh, or Banff... but down here in da sub-tropics?... not so much. It's just that replacing that innocent-looking slant-tee is a major nightmare, requiring the removal of tons of stuff, to get at the 2-ounce fitting. I figure just sweat-solder a cap on a stub of 1/2" copper pipe (OUTside dia. 5/8"), hose-clamp it in place, harmless dead-end... get a cheaper 2-end lower rad hose next time around.

 

[fixizin]

Guess I'm gonna have to be the guinea pig, as it seems my "sender ell" has a small leak... which means after a long drive in this hot weather, I get the smell of fried coolant when I park and shutdown.

Will first try to sweat-solder that elbow/ell with 450degF plumbing solder... pending...