Radiator and cooling system flushing??

[AlaskanJack]

OK so I have noticed that my engine temp has ben running high. what temp?? who knows but its up to the L in normal.

So I thought maybe I should flush the cooling system. As far as I know I drain it and then just run water through it for a while. Or am I missing something?

How can you tell if the radiator cap needs replacing or t-stat??

 

[jimbo74]

get a hydrometer tester and test the integrity of the coolant, if all tests fine look at the cap, if its rusted or the like, then its the tstat.....

 

[AlaskanJack]

Well I just wasn't sure if the high temp was coolant related or due to the fact that my OD isn't working and when driving 55 mph my RPM's run around 2750-3000. I thought it might just be the high RPM's. When the RPM's drop down so does the temp.

What is a Hydrometer tester? Where can I get one or should I just have a shop do the test as well as a pressure test?

Cap is not rusted and it has been replaced once for sure since its not the stock type. It has the bar over the top that clamps down for locking.

 

[etc]

From what I've read in the Haynes manual, you drain the radiator/resevoir. Then flush it with water. After that they recommend a cleaner, can be picked up at napa/discount auto parts/etc. Also if you want remove the resovoir and clean out any gunk that is on it(with the same cleaner you used for the radiator).

 

[X~FACTOR]

When you run the water through the radiator, when you stop flushing it, what's left inside the cooling system is just all water. When you fill the radiator you must fill it with unmixed coolant to get the 50/50 mix that you're supposed to get. If you didn't do this you might have too much water.

Oh, btw, my thermostat gave up just after 50K miles. If you're over this mileage and haven't change it, that might be your problem. I hope this helped.

 

[AlaskanJack]

I noticed the temp doing some fluctuating today while driving into Anchorage 40 miles or so.

I'll plan on doing a t-stat change and coolant flush this week

 

[aldive]

Take a look at http://www.diynet.com/DIY/article/0,2058,3001,00.html

 

[Rhett]

If you do use a cleaning agent, be SURE to rinse all of it out of the block and radiator with clean water.

 

[AlaskanJack]

Thanks Aldive that will really help!

 

[AlaskanJack]

Ok well I better get to this quick.

We had an unussaully hot day yesterday and then I got stuck in traffic on my way home. It didn't overheat.

But after I was home for an hour I went out to rerplace a lost bolt in my hood and I went to remove the radiator cap to check fluid level and radiator fluid shot out it was still pretty hot. I noticed a funny smell to my fluid also.

What do you guys think replace t-stat definitely and go for a hi temp one or what.

 

[wilson_nick]

The splashing out @ you is pretty normal, it's running @ near boiling and when Fluid heats it expands and has nowhere to go untill you open the cap. if you can't remember the last time you had the coolant flushed soon would be a good time. later

 

[Rhett]

Jack I'd just run the stocker thermostat, I think it's 195 degrees or thereabouts...
unless your computer is set up for a different temp stat.

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

If you are runnig that hot, replace the t-stat, they're cheap. If that doesn't fix the problem, don't waist your time, take it to a reliable radiator dhop and have them do a cooling system check. Make sure they check the fan clutch and also a CO2 check(checks for a blown head gasket pumping exhaust gasses into you cooling system). If the fan clutch and the CO2 check are good, have them rod out your radiator. The X radiaors have a low tollerance for any blockage and the temp will slowly heat up over time and not come down.

 

[AlaskanJack]

aH THANKS VERY MUCH FOR THAT ADVICE.

 

[AlaskanJack]

Ok so I just completed running some NAPA rust preventative cleaner through and now I am running a flush through.

I ran the fluid out while vehicle was running and kept clean water going in until I got clean water coming out.


I must add that I was surprised at the rust color of the water. I think I will run another coolant flush through it next month just for precaution. I plan on replacing t-stat just didn't have the time or energy today.

I also rec'd my 4x4 shify computer for rear compartment today from Dejello and plugged it in. Darnit if now the test light is showing something is wrong with my t-case which means I will be pullinhg the shift motor out again tomorrow.

I think it was getting intermittant signals from the computer and it probably is stuck on 4lo or 4hi again. Good thing is I tested the motor and it tested fine so Im good there

 

[AlaskanJack]

Well I did the rust remover and then the flush, ran at least 15 gallons of water through the radiator so its nice and clean. added my antifreeze and took it for a spin.


Dang worse than before!! So I bought a new t-stat and I'm in the process of changing it now. Fingers crossed.

The next step will be to look at the fan clutch.


Funny thing was the darn truck temp got hot pretty quick which surprised me so I was thinking the t-stat was bad.