leaky rad - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67cst · 09-24-2003, 05:57 PM

my rad leaks, i think its where the heater hose goes in right below the cap, when i bought the truck the fluid level was low, right below the hose so thats where i figure its leaking, the hose is fine so it must be cracked where the hose clamps on, what i want to know is how bad is it to run the truck with low fluid, i know this sounds stupid but ive been topping it off but it just leaks out, and as if right now i cant afford a new rad so would it be bad to drive it, ive been watching the temp gauge and it never gets close to hot, so should i be okay for the time being? or is this something i should fix immediately? any help or suggestions would be great

thanks

cdowns · 09-24-2003, 07:02 PM

are you sure it's not leaking out the rad cap when it gets hot the fluid expands and goes out the overflow tube

67cst · 09-24-2003, 07:14 PM

yes im sure! i check that allready and its bone dry out the over flow tube...its a mystery...maybe the tube is clogged or something..but you would think that the pressure would shoot the antifreeze out the tube before a crack in the rad right?

lukecp · 09-24-2003, 07:21 PM

If you have a temp guage it will be OK to run it for awhile...just make sure it dosen't get too hot. Overheating is VERY hard on an engine....you can easily crack a cast iron part, plus oil gets pretty thin as it gets hot, and dosen't lubricate as well.

67cst · 09-24-2003, 07:34 PM

thanks for the help guys, i want to find an over flow bottle for the rad, maybe i can keep a closer eye on it that way

Longhorn Man · 09-24-2003, 11:07 PM

Try taking it to a rad shop. If you pull it out and carry it in, then the labor cost will be less. If it is just a leak around a fitting, you may be suprised how little it will be to repair.
Of course, most rad shops will just tell you it is junk and you need a new one, regardless what the truth is.

For the repair on what you describe, all they would do is pressurize it and drop it in a tank of water to confirm what you think is the leak. Then rinse it off, heat it up with a tortch, flood it with flux, and then hit it with some silver solder. Tehn drop it in the tank and look for bubbles.
After that, rinse it all off and spray a thin coat of black paint (normally water based paint so it is thinner) and then charge you 20 - 50 bucks.
(I been working in our rad shop at work for the past month or so)

09-24-2003, 05:57 PM	#1
67cst i love summertime Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kelowna BC Posts: 4,303	leaky rad my rad leaks, i think its where the heater hose goes in right below the cap, when i bought the truck the fluid level was low, right below the hose so thats where i figure its leaking, the hose is fine so it must be cracked where the hose clamps on, what i want to know is how bad is it to run the truck with low fluid, i know this sounds stupid but ive been topping it off but it just leaks out, and as if right now i cant afford a new rad so would it be bad to drive it, ive been watching the temp gauge and it never gets close to hot, so should i be okay for the time being? or is this something i should fix immediately? any help or suggestions would be great thanks __________________ 1967 shortbox stepside Chevy, 365 hp 327, th400. GLOVE BOX LIGHTS FORSALE, click link for info http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=273724

09-24-2003, 07:02 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	are you sure it's not leaking out the rad cap when it gets hot the fluid expands and goes out the overflow tube __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

09-24-2003, 07:14 PM	#3
67cst i love summertime Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kelowna BC Posts: 4,303	yes im sure! i check that allready and its bone dry out the over flow tube...its a mystery...maybe the tube is clogged or something..but you would think that the pressure would shoot the antifreeze out the tube before a crack in the rad right? __________________ 1967 shortbox stepside Chevy, 365 hp 327, th400. GLOVE BOX LIGHTS FORSALE, click link for info http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=273724

09-24-2003, 07:21 PM	#4
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	If you have a temp guage it will be OK to run it for awhile...just make sure it dosen't get too hot. Overheating is VERY hard on an engine....you can easily crack a cast iron part, plus oil gets pretty thin as it gets hot, and dosen't lubricate as well. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

09-24-2003, 07:34 PM	#5
67cst i love summertime Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kelowna BC Posts: 4,303	thanks for the help guys, i want to find an over flow bottle for the rad, maybe i can keep a closer eye on it that way __________________ 1967 shortbox stepside Chevy, 365 hp 327, th400. GLOVE BOX LIGHTS FORSALE, click link for info http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=273724

09-24-2003, 11:07 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Try taking it to a rad shop. If you pull it out and carry it in, then the labor cost will be less. If it is just a leak around a fitting, you may be suprised how little it will be to repair. Of course, most rad shops will just tell you it is junk and you need a new one, regardless what the truth is. For the repair on what you describe, all they would do is pressurize it and drop it in a tank of water to confirm what you think is the leak. Then rinse it off, heat it up with a tortch, flood it with flux, and then hit it with some silver solder. Tehn drop it in the tank and look for bubbles. After that, rinse it all off and spray a thin coat of black paint (normally water based paint so it is thinner) and then charge you 20 - 50 bucks. (I been working in our rad shop at work for the past month or so)



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.