R&R radiator

[brother rat]

My radiator developed a leak, so I'll be replacing it this weekend. I'm assuming it should be pretty straight-forward. Any pitfalls I should be aware of?

 

[modelageek]

I would spray the tranny lines with liquid wrench a few times today.

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[modelageek]

Goes without saying that it is a good time to check/replace the hoses. I also would install a new MC tsrat. Also buy a gallon of prestone concentrate and some distilled water. Flush it out good.

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[Mark_88]

Make sure you burp her good...they tend to get air locks in them if you don't fill it properly...

 

[scotts90ranger]

Very straight forward, should be 2 bolts and two clamps... if auto tranny there'll be two cooler lines...

Fill the radiator through the upper radiator hose if you can, or at least push it down so it's the lowest point as that's the main air bubble in these things, burp it good and you'll be fine. distilled water is best, once I get the heater core changed on the Tracker I'll be adding distilled water to it instead of the tap water, I so wish it was a Ranger when replacing the heater core, I'd much prefer 5 screws and 2 hose clamps to completely removing the dash... should hopefully get that changed this weekend though...

 

[modelageek]

Make sure you burp her good...they tend to get air locks in them if you don't fill it properly...

Another reason to install a new MC t-stat.......some of the cheaper t-stats do not have the bleeder hole in them and then the air bubble issue turns into a nightmare......all over $5.......

 

[scotts90ranger]

1/16" drill bit and a drill can take care of the air bleed issue when installing a thermostat, that's what we do at work and we ship around 1000 engines a year...

 

[brother rat]

Well, I filled it through the radiator cap. I got about 4 quarts into it.
How will I know if I have an air bubble issue?
The temp gauge doesn't seem to move much now - although I haven't done a lot of driving yet. But even when warmed up, the needle still points directly at C.

 

[modelageek]

Well, I filled it through the radiator cap. I got about 4 quarts into it.
How will I know if I have an air bubble issue?
The temp gauge doesn't seem to move much now - although I haven't done a lot of driving yet. But even when warmed up, the needle still points directly at C.

What exactly did you do? Just the radiator?

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sent from DROID Bionic using tapatalk-2. (Ranger, 1999, reg cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD) (2006, Vibe, 1ZZ, Auto, AWD)

 

[brother rat]

What exactly did you do? Just the radiator?

Yeah. Just drained and removed the old one. Then, installed and filled the new one.

 

[adsm08]

I like to fill the rad and then pull a heater hose off at the core and dump more in that way. More or less eliminates air lock issues.

Postin' from teh Galaxy

 

[modelageek]

Yeah. Just drained and removed the old one. Then, installed and filled the new one.

Then keep topping off the rad and overflow. Without the right tsrat bleeding can be an ordeal. You have an air pocket.

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[Mark_88]

Is the heater blowing hot air or is it cold air...or does it only provide hot air when you are at higher rpms?

If it is actually blowing hot air at idle then there is nothing wrong with it...other than the temp gauge may be just reading low...mine hardly moves above the N even in the summer...but the heater blows hot air at idle...

 

[brother rat]

Is the heater blowing hot air or is it cold air...or does it only provide hot air when you are at higher rpms?

If it is actually blowing hot air at idle then there is nothing wrong with it...other than the temp gauge may be just reading low...mine hardly moves above the N even in the summer...but the heater blows hot air at idle...

Heater seems to blow hot air at idle. The temp needle hardly moves.
The tstat is probably the same one the truck was born with. I don't want to be replacing parts unless it's necessary.
What's the best way to go about trying to get the air out of this thing?
Let it run and warm up with the radiator cap off?

 

[modelageek]

I like to fill the rad and then pull a heater hose off at the core and dump more in that way. More or less eliminates air lock issues.

Postin' from teh Galaxy

.
What's the best way to go about trying to get the air out of this thing?

The ASE Guy told you ^^^^^^^^^^^
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