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Radiator Removal
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 5
From: Williamstown, wv
Radiator Removal
My 94 has been running hot for several weeks so today I took a big step (for me) I removed the radiator and cleaned out all the debris. There wasnt much except a few leaves and a plastic lowes bag covering about 1/4 of it, (I hope that was my problem). and I sprayed out the fins, they had some garbage built up.
My question:
Is there anything special I need to do after reinstalling everything, I didnt know that the transmission fluid ran through there to get cooled and I am not sure how much I lost, It didnt look like much but Im not sure, also I read on another post about air pockets, is there any to be sure I dont have any air trapped without special equipment?
My question:
Is there anything special I need to do after reinstalling everything, I didnt know that the transmission fluid ran through there to get cooled and I am not sure how much I lost, It didnt look like much but Im not sure, also I read on another post about air pockets, is there any to be sure I dont have any air trapped without special equipment?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
Transfluid - check the level when hot and top it off.
Coolant - drive it until its hot, pull it in, wait for it to cool and top off the tank.
Repeat over the next week.
Coolant - drive it until its hot, pull it in, wait for it to cool and top off the tank.
Repeat over the next week.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Orangeburg, NY
When the engine is warmed up to operating temperature, turn on the heat (max) for a few minutes to ensure coolant is flowing into the heater box. This will help eliminate any air that may have been trapped. Then check the coolant level when the engine is cold.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 5
From: Williamstown, wv
I have it all back together and was trying to fill the system, the coolant recovery tank is at the proper level and I filled the high fill reservoir to the top but, opened the bleed valves and had a steady stream of coolant. But I know I did not add near the amount of coolant that I lost.
What do I do
What do I do
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 13
From: Romeoville IL
Sounds like you got it all sorted out. blocking a 1/4 of the surface area is a BIG amount of the radiator for cooling.
But I leave the radiator cap off and start the car, letting it warm up and add coolant and squeeze the occasional hose. Once you stop getting air bubbles from squeezing and you can't add anymore, you should be good. The cap on your 94 is the high point of the system. I haven't had to add any fluid after doing it this way, and I've drained and refilled twice now.
Okay I added because of a small heater core leak, but that had nothign to do with the fill procedure. :-)
But I leave the radiator cap off and start the car, letting it warm up and add coolant and squeeze the occasional hose. Once you stop getting air bubbles from squeezing and you can't add anymore, you should be good. The cap on your 94 is the high point of the system. I haven't had to add any fluid after doing it this way, and I've drained and refilled twice now.
Okay I added because of a small heater core leak, but that had nothign to do with the fill procedure. :-)
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Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
Now that I think about it, I am not sure if a radiator shop can open a radiator with plastic side tanks in order to clean the core?
I know older copper side tanks were no problem for a rad shop. Not sure about plastic side tanks though.
I know older copper side tanks were no problem for a rad shop. Not sure about plastic side tanks though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 805
Likes: 3
From: Waco TX
If you had the rad off, I would have taken one step futher and taken it to a radiator shop to have then clean out the inside cores. Cleaning out the rad core really make a difference.
The shop that did mine just replaced the side tank with a new one. It is just crempt on there with a gasket in between. The guy at the shop had a special pair of plyers and had it off in about 90 seconds. They sprayed a power washer through the other end and sure enough, about half my tubes were clogged on the inside. So they ran a bar through each tube as if they were cleaning the barrel of a gun.
The shop basically had a whole wall of "side tanks" for pretty much every make and model car on the road. At least pretty much every domestic.
I RARELY ever see this posted in all the numerous "running hot" threads.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 5
From: Williamstown, wv
Yes, they most certainly can. Did it to my 94 a couple of months ago. WOW...amazing difference. 20-30 degree difference.
The shop that did mine just replaced the side tank with a new one. It is just crempt on there with a gasket in between. The guy at the shop had a special pair of plyers and had it off in about 90 seconds. They sprayed a power washer through the other end and sure enough, about half my tubes were clogged on the inside. So they ran a bar through each tube as if they were cleaning the barrel of a gun.
The shop basically had a whole wall of "side tanks" for pretty much every make and model car on the road. At least pretty much every domestic.
I RARELY ever see this posted in all the numerous "running hot" threads.
The shop that did mine just replaced the side tank with a new one. It is just crempt on there with a gasket in between. The guy at the shop had a special pair of plyers and had it off in about 90 seconds. They sprayed a power washer through the other end and sure enough, about half my tubes were clogged on the inside. So they ran a bar through each tube as if they were cleaning the barrel of a gun.
The shop basically had a whole wall of "side tanks" for pretty much every make and model car on the road. At least pretty much every domestic.
I RARELY ever see this posted in all the numerous "running hot" threads.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 96,443
Likes: 9
From: Fort Knox, KY
Cruise-In IV Veteran
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Be careful around the A/C lines and fittings. As you discovered, they're mounted to the radiator housing and are easy to break if you're not careful.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 5
From: Williamstown, wv
Mine wasn't actually damaged, just needed cleaned out, if it was I would have replaced it--I didnt even get as far as pricing or looking into what brand to get.
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
I'ts all coming back to me now... I had this done to another car that had a broken tip where the hose connected to the coolant reservoir. Sorry I don't recall how much they charged. I do know that must have been cheaper than a new one, otherwise I would have bought a new one.
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
Yes, they most certainly can. Did it to my 94 a couple of months ago. WOW...amazing difference. 20-30 degree difference.
The shop that did mine just replaced the side tank with a new one. It is just crempt on there with a gasket in between. The guy at the shop had a special pair of plyers and had it off in about 90 seconds. They sprayed a power washer through the other end and sure enough, about half my tubes were clogged on the inside. So they ran a bar through each tube as if they were cleaning the barrel of a gun.
The shop basically had a whole wall of "side tanks" for pretty much every make and model car on the road. At least pretty much every domestic.
I RARELY ever see this posted in all the numerous "running hot" threads.
The shop that did mine just replaced the side tank with a new one. It is just crempt on there with a gasket in between. The guy at the shop had a special pair of plyers and had it off in about 90 seconds. They sprayed a power washer through the other end and sure enough, about half my tubes were clogged on the inside. So they ran a bar through each tube as if they were cleaning the barrel of a gun.
The shop basically had a whole wall of "side tanks" for pretty much every make and model car on the road. At least pretty much every domestic.
I RARELY ever see this posted in all the numerous "running hot" threads.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 50
From: Palmdale CA
That's right. The tank is held in place by some tabs on the side and opened with special tool. Then they cleaned out the core tubes with a wire brush. Then tested for leaks. I remember seeing gobbs of silicone coming out from someone who used too much sillicon on a water pump install. (me of couse :o) Cleaning out the core makes a big difference. You would be amaized at how much crap is inside your rad.
one big filter!I also had my own radiator opened up, cleaned out, and "re-capped" only $100
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 805
Likes: 3
From: Waco TX
They charged me $65.
They told me they always replace the side tanks after removing since they tend to get brittle over time...and its like an $8 or $10 part or something.
A new OEM radiator is probably $130-150. Aftemarket ones like a DeWitts can be $500+.
So it's definitely cheaper to get it professionally cleaned. I ran a garden hose with pressure through mine and did did get a lot of gunk out, but not everything. I actually had a powerwasher, but was scared spraying it would mess up or bend the fins. When I took it to the shop, they powerwashed the core. So apparently that was okay to do.
They also use a "bar" that looks like a dipstick except it is about 1" wide. They run it back and forth through each tube to get all the gunk out. Much like cleaning the barrel of a gun. The bottom half of my tubes were clogged. They sprayed a powerwasher through the end that still had the side tank attached and when the water came out the end of the tubes, it shot up like the Bellagio Hotel on the top half of the tubes, but the bottom half, barely anything came out.
They told me they always replace the side tanks after removing since they tend to get brittle over time...and its like an $8 or $10 part or something.
A new OEM radiator is probably $130-150. Aftemarket ones like a DeWitts can be $500+.
So it's definitely cheaper to get it professionally cleaned. I ran a garden hose with pressure through mine and did did get a lot of gunk out, but not everything. I actually had a powerwasher, but was scared spraying it would mess up or bend the fins. When I took it to the shop, they powerwashed the core. So apparently that was okay to do.
They also use a "bar" that looks like a dipstick except it is about 1" wide. They run it back and forth through each tube to get all the gunk out. Much like cleaning the barrel of a gun. The bottom half of my tubes were clogged. They sprayed a powerwasher through the end that still had the side tank attached and when the water came out the end of the tubes, it shot up like the Bellagio Hotel on the top half of the tubes, but the bottom half, barely anything came out.
Last edited by CStewTAMU; Sep 10, 2009 at 12:07 AM.