Radiator Problem

[Wiked]

Last night I had a small radiator leak. It came from the top where the radiator feeds into the hose. My temperature didnt go up, but I did see a small amount of steam. It smelled like antifreeze so I know it came from the radiator. There was still liquid in the radiator, so Im figuring that the fan might have messed up and caused the small burst because of rising temp.? I drive mostly highway miles, so Im guessing thats why it hasnt acted up before, beacuse it happened while I was in a drive through. I had to drive to Lytle from somerset to get there, so it gave the engine more than plenty of time to heat up. Any one know how I can give it a check tomorrow morning to figure out if its something I can handle or if it needs to go to a mechanic?

[96greengt]

If you have a pressure tester, that is the only way to truly test it. Otherwise, yank it and take it to a radiator shop.


Or, buy an aluminum one from americanmuscle.com

They have one for 200 shipped.

[Wiked]

so, if I were to find someone that had one, what would I do?

[Wiked]

automatics and manuals take different radiators?

[96greengt]

Well, you'd need the Ford adapter as well, but you screw the adapter on the reservoir, attach the pressure tester to the adapter, apply 18-20 psi of pressure, let it sit and watch for the gauge to drop or see a visible leak. I have all those tools, but you are not local.
If you have a small fracture in the plastic tank, it can be repaired fairly easy, O'Reillys carries all kinds of adhesives, glue, and epoxy that will fix almost anything. Cheap too, no price over 8 bucks, just read the labels and buy what you need. You could add Bars Leak, but I don't recommend that for most radiators. They have several items out there as well. liquid glass is another item, you can find them at pharmacies. I have even seen a raw egg stop a radiator leak... seen that on Myth Busters!!! lol

[96greengt]

Originally Posted by Wiked

automatics and manuals take different radiators?

if going with a stock replacement, OEM radiators fit both, they already have the cooler built into it. If going after market, yes, they make one for both.

[Wiked]

I am local. I only live in Somerset...lol. I do everything else in San Anto.

[BigJnSA]

when you drive it next and it gets to temp, leave it running and pop the hood. look around for the leak. maybe just a pinhole leak in one of the hoses or a hairline crack in the radiator. when its hot and pressurized, you should be able to find the leak pretty easily. if its a hose - replace it. if its weeping from a crack, id just JB weld it.

[Wiked]

Originally Posted by BigJnSA

when you drive it next and it gets to temp, leave it running and pop the hood. look around for the leak. maybe just a pinhole leak in one of the hoses or a hairline crack in the radiator. when its hot and pressurized, you should be able to find the leak pretty easily. if its a hose - replace it. if its weeping from a crack, id just JB weld it.

Yea, gonna try that tomorrow. Just want a heads up on what to expect if it aint that easy... as always

[Mustang_68_Coup]

Originally Posted by 96greengt

... I have even seen a raw egg stop a radiator leak... seen that on Myth Busters!!! lol

That tends to clog them up more than it's worth. For small leaks, dump a little can of regular ol' black pepper in there ... the finely ground table pepper. It works.

But DO plan on fixing it correctly in the next year ... <shrugs>

[Wiked]

Its not a leak. I drove it to Lytle again this morning to give it a check, and it didnt over heat or leak. And I refilled the extremely small amount of coolant that was missing. The fan how ever never turned on, so Im guessing thats the problem, and it somehow caused a small amount of water to be released as pressurized steam? (No idea if thats even possible in a car) Since the day is cool though, and I drive nothing but highway, the car does not go past the halfway mark. It stays just under it actually.

[BigJnSA]

sounds like a bad relay

[Wiked]

hmmm, I concur... now what would the relay be?

[96greengt]

Originally Posted by Wiked

hmmm, I concur... now what would the relay be?

well, you'd be fvcked in that department then if it is. It is the CCRM module and it is located next to the stock air filter location, just behind the inner fender well. That CCRM, if it is the relay that has turned tits up, is not cheap. It has the EEC relay, fuel pump relay, and two relays for the fan, high and low speeds.

Try running direct power to the fan first to see if the motor has not gone bad first. If the fan works, then I'd suspect the CCRM, if not, then the fan motor is bad. Also try turning on the A/C, see if the fan kicks in.

I have 2 used CCRMs at work, not sure which one is bad or not.

[Mustang_68_Coup]

Originally Posted by 96greengt

well, you'd be fvcked in that department then if it is. It is the CCRM module and it is located next to the stock air filter location, just behind the inner fender well. That CCRM, if it is the relay that has turned tits up, is not cheap. It has the EEC relay, fuel pump relay, and two relays for the fan, high and low speeds.

Try running direct power to the fan first to see if the motor has not gone bad first. If the fan works, then I'd suspect the CCRM, if not, then the fan motor is bad. Also try turning on the A/C, see if the fan kicks in.

I have 2 used CCRMs at work, not sure which one is bad or not.

Is the fan able to be wired up to an iginition ON wire, bypassing the module?? One that has juice when the key is ON, so that the fans just run ... ?

[96greengt]

Originally Posted by Mustang_68_Coup

Is the fan able to be wired up to an iginition ON wire, bypassing the module?? One that has juice when the key is ON, so that the fans just run ... ?

It can be done, but better to use a 5 prong standard relay and wire it to the battery and ignition for switched power. But he needs to determine if the fan works first before going any further.