Radiator Over Flow

[cameyer]

I just recently bought a 64 k10 and have realized that on longer trips the truck will leak coolant from the overflow hose. the temp always reads normal and i dont see a leak coming from anywhere else. anyone know what could be causing this?

[brokenspoke]

The trucks will seek their own level in the radiator.....or the radiator cap is bad or weak

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by brokenspoke

The trucks will seek their own level in the radiator.....or the radiator cap is bad or weak

I'd say if you top it off when it is cold--which is best time to open the cap, for safety--that when you drive it & it heats up, it expands and forces the excess out(via overflow tube). I'd also guess that if you install an overflow bucket at the proper level, & with the proper cap, & with the overflow tube flowing 'over' into the bucket, that when it cools off & contracts and creates a partial vacuum, it will siphon/suck the excess back into the radiator. However, I dunno the level OR the type cap that will allow this reverse flow(siphoning back when it cools). Sounds good, tho', doesn't it??? Hopefully someone else will chime in & tell us the rest of the parameters, as I'd like to get my overflow-bucket system siphoning the overflow back into my rad.
sam

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by cameyer

I just recently bought a 64 k10 and have realized that on longer trips the truck will leak coolant from the overflow hose. the temp always reads normal and i dont see a leak coming from anywhere else. anyone know what could be causing this?

This was the normal operating condition for cars and trucks for many decades before coolant recovery systems came into favor. Back in the days when service station attendents washed your windshield, while the tank was being filled the part of the routine "service" at better stations was to check the air in the tires along with the water in the radiator and battery. Topping off all three was frequently needed.

[cameyer]

Thanks for the help! I'll look into a new cap first and if that doesn't work I'll see about installing an overflow bucket
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[64thunder]

im thinking of using a sailor jerry bottle or wild turkey bottle for a overflow catcher

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by 64thunder

im thinking of using a sailor jerry bottle or wild turkey bottle for a overflow catcher

Good choice, especially knowing the WT bottle has already passed a purity test of '101'..............