New Radiator

[mattmo]

Hello!

I recently noticed a small leak coming from my radiator. I went ahead and ordered a new one and removed the old. I plan to install the radiator today and wanted to see if I have the process down right. From my research the steps should be:

1. Install new radiator

2. Fill radiator with distilled water and drain while motor is running

3. Fill radiator with coolant and run motor till it comes to normal temp.

4. After motor cools fill radiator again

Am I on the right track? Is there any sort of burping process I need to also go through?

Side question, what's the best type of coolant to use? Opinions seemed to be mixed.

Thank you,

[Gary Lewis]

I’ve never drained a cooling system while the engine was running, and don’t see a need to do that. But, I can see that doing so would tend to push out more of the old coolant. However, do NOT pull the cap when the engine is warm, much less hot, as the pressure is likely to spew hot coolant everywhere.

Concerning burping, I find that topping up the system as the engine warms up helps. But there’s a point where the expansion due to warming is quickly going to cause an overflow, so I put the cap on then and let the system build up pressure. Then I turn the engine off and let it cool, during which it will suck coolant in from the recovery reservoir- so make sure that is about 1/2 full. After doing that a couple of times the system should be full.

[Gary Lewis]

I’ve never drained a cooling system while the engine was running, and don’t see a need to do that. But, I can see that doing so would tend to push out more of the old coolant. However, do NOT pull the cap when the engine is warm, much less hot, as the pressure is likely to spew hot coolant everywhere.

Concerning burping, I find that topping up the system as the engine warms up helps. But there’s a point where the expansion due to warming is quickly going to cause an overflow, so I put the cap on then and let the system build up pressure. Then I turn the engine off and let it cool, during which it will suck coolant in from the recovery reservoir- so make sure that is about 1/2 full. After doing that a couple of times the system should be full.

I forgot the coolant question. A name brand antifreeze is what I use, and I tend to buy the premixed stuff rather than worry about mixing it. But if you are going to flush with distilled water, which is a good idea, you’ll have some left in the system which will dilute the 50/50 mix a bit. However, unless you live where it gets REALLY cold that probably won’t be a problem.

[Gsmblue]

I forgot the coolant question. A name brand antifreeze is what I use, and I tend to buy the premixed stuff rather than worry about mixing it. But if you are going to flush with distilled water, which is a good idea, you’ll have some left in the system which will dilute the 50/50 mix a bit. However, unless you live where it gets REALLY cold that probably won’t be a problem.

I bought a radiator in oct 2018.. i really need to install it, old one leaks bad now.

Nice tip on the overflow reservoir burping!

[Gary Lewis]

I bought a radiator in oct 2018.. i really need to install it, old one leaks bad now.

Nice tip on the overflow reservoir burping!

Good luck!

[ArdWrknTrk]

Good luck!

Ok, so I have a question.

Why is it that I can't keep coolant in my reservoir?

I use 50/50, fill the radiator, half fill the reservoir, keep on top of it for a couple of days.

My temp gauge reads between the 'O & R' of normal.

The radiator stays filled above above the core, and plugs show no sign of water in any cylinder.

I have a tested good cap.

It won't loose coolant between changes (unless something like the little rubber cap on the neck splits)

The reservoir doesn't seem cracked, nor is there coolant on the fender liner.

It's odd, and I've never figured it out.

[mattmo]

I’ve never drained a cooling system while the engine was running, and don’t see a need to do that. But, I can see that doing so would tend to push out more of the old coolant. However, do NOT pull the cap when the engine is warm, much less hot, as the pressure is likely to spew hot coolant everywhere.

Concerning burping, I find that topping up the system as the engine warms up helps. But there’s a point where the expansion due to warming is quickly going to cause an overflow, so I put the cap on then and let the system build up pressure. Then I turn the engine off and let it cool, during which it will suck coolant in from the recovery reservoir- so make sure that is about 1/2 full. After doing that a couple of times the system should be full.

Thanks for the tip Gary, this worked like a charm!

New Radiator installed, happy truck.

[Gary Lewis]

Thanks for the tip Gary, this worked like a charm!

New Radiator installed, happy truck.

Matt - Glad it worked. Just watch the recovery bottle for a few days as it take several hot/cold cycles to finally get all the air out.

Jim - Any chance it is evaporation? You are pushing hot coolant into it as the system heats up and everything expands. How long does it take before you notice the level going down?

[ArdWrknTrk]

Matt - Glad it worked. Just watch the recovery bottle for a few days as it take several hot/cold cycles to finally get all the air out.

Jim - Any chance it is evaporation? You are pushing hot coolant into it as the system heats up and everything expands. How long does it take before you notice the level going down?

Can glycol evaporate like that?

After the first couple of days, when it stabilizes I forget about it.

Weeks later -when I might check the oil- I notice the catch tank is empty.

[Gary Lewis]

Can glycol evaporate like that?

After the first couple of days, when it stabilizes I forget about it.

Weeks later -when I might check the oil- I notice the catch tank is empty.

Glycol might not evaporate, but the other 50% of the mix can. How hot does your engine get? You seem to work it pretty hard, so maybe it is getting up over 212 and the water in the solution that gets pushed into the expansion chamber is boiling off?