I wonder what Mike is thinking to call this a red flag issue...Any insight?

I am glad to hear that we can mostly agree that touching a radiator isn't any kind of standardized test for determining coolant problems in this vehicle. With that said I think Erubin probably had a bad t-stat.

 

If the radiator is cool, that means that no hot coolant is circulating through it. Either a clogged radiator, bad pumpor evenmaybe a blown head gasket could disrupt the circulation enough. I'venever had a reason to testmy radiator, but I'd think it would be hard to tell by feeling it, maybe with an infrared thermometer though. Seems like it would overheat though, I guess it depends on the circumstances. Nothing like making one post, disappearing and causing confusion though.

 

hey, are you touching it before t-stat opens? or at the end of a long drive? i would still listen to mike to avoid costly repairs.

 

I've removed the WP and it is fine. I've tested the radiator and it flows perfectly. I drive the truck 30 miles and everything is hot except the lower rad hose (under the t-stat)and the entire radiator. They are best described as cold, not even hot. T-stat was replaced but still same problem. I'm stumped.