Burst Top Radiator Hose

[Roller2105]

Hi,

'94 Explorer XLT - 140K miles.

Had a top radiator hose burst last night in the 'wee hours' about 3 miles from home and managed to make it home albeit with the engine clattering like I was trying to run it on kerosine.

Replaced the hose this morning and refilled the cooling system. Much to my surprise the engine made the same clattering noise for a mile or so and then quietened down - however, temp gage moved rapidly to and stayed at 'H'. When I got back home and (I let it cool some) removed the radiator cap, the system looked empty again and took another gallon of coolant mix to fill it. Repeated test run and looked in radiator again (after it had cooled) and again the level had dropped out of site, but it only took 1/2 gallon to fill it this time.

From there things appear to have revereted to normal except the temp gage now sits one letter higher than before (it used to sit on the 'o' of 'normal') and now sits between the 'r' and the 'm'. Have I 'cooked' the sender unit?

I'd guess there must be a proper coolant filling procedure if you burst a hose - can anyone enlighten me? Thanks!

Roller
(still sad after having sold my '96 TC with only 52K miles..)

 

[BrooklynBay]

Pressure test the system for leaks.

 

[jtb1689]

I recently replaced my radiator and refilled it. I had crazy temperature change problems. It's settled down to pretty much normal, a little spike here and there but nothing that concerns me. Here's a link to the thread that helped me take care of temp issues, don't know if it will help you any with the clattering or a fried temp sensor unit though...

http://explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240709

Somewhere in there I have a post detailing how I re-refilled it the "proper" way. Good luck.

 

[Roller2105]

Thanks JTB1869...

Kinda proves my thought process was correct - the system needs a lot of burping. Appreciate the ideas for a better fill in the attached thread.

Anyway - everything is normal and stable now. Temp gage sits where it always did but goes up just a little (from the 'o' in normal to the 'r/m' area) withthe a/c on, but holds steady at city and hiway speeds.

Appreciate your response...

Have a good one!

Roller