Hi,

My radiator spat out some water through the reserve tank the other day. First time its done this. Initially, I thought it was because i didnt have any coolant in it...just water.

But a friend of mine told me the radiator was shot.

I know I can get it tested but was trying to understand the sympotms.

doogaloo

 

engine hot, shut off , touch different areas of rad, check fan clutch, check door crap between rad and condensor then if all is good check head gaskets

 

It's called an expansion tank, hot water expands, cold water contracts, keeps it all in one container and is nothing new in the automotive world. The relief pressure on the expansion tank cap is about 15psi so you have a hot motor when the cap lets go. Radiator "Shot"? Hmmm, sounds like a guess to me. What condition is the coolant in? Is it still bright green?

 

If it's not leaking the radiator probably isn't "shot". Good chance all it needs is to be rodded.

 

thanks for the correction...I didnt know it was an expansion tank...No the coolant is dull...i havent checked the radiator but i did give it a visual inspection and seems fine all around.

Thank you so much! im going to keep my eye on it.

 

You should ever run tap water by it self in your coolant system, this will cause the radiator to to plug up with calcium.
How many miles on the engine, how long since you stopped running coolant? It might be time to flush the system, start running a 50/50 water coolant mix, change your t/stat and pressure cap.

 

Have you done a cooling system pressure test? If pressure holds, might have just over filled. Water only will get hotter than with an antifreeze mix which helps stabilize the water. If radiator is original, replace and/or have cleaned. If oil looks good, probably needs cooling system cleaned. Not a good thing to run straight water in an all aluminum engine, as the hot spots internally will not be protected properly.

 

BTW, if you replace the thermostat here's a good one to use that also happens to be the correct temp.
https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...rmostat-51327/

Most auto parts stores, in my experience, list too hot a thermostat.

 

thanks for the correction...I didnt know it was an expansion tank...No the coolant is dull...i havent checked the radiator but i did give it a visual inspection and seems fine all around.

Thank you so much! im going to keep my eye on it.

 

Dull looking coolant usually means old..renew with a 50/50 mixture of coolant to distilled water (you can buy gallon containers of it at the grocery store). But before you renew there are products to help loosen deposits within the radiator made by the same companies that produce antifreeze that somewhat work. That might be enough to get you by for awhile. Of course, do give all the other suggestions serious thought, look into them as one might be the golden bb or several may.