Radiator Cap & Leaking?

[Thomas]

In the last two months, I have been getting some leakage from my radiator through the overflow drain. I loose about a cup of fluid on each drive. I think I know what the problem is, but I would like to get some feedback from the group.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Thomas
Charlotte, NC

[wesk]

1-Cylinder pressure leak into water jackets. after the engine warms up and with the cap off look for bubbles in the coolant at the top of the radiator when moving the throttle up and back.

2-Sticking thermostat. Should show up as a higher than normal operating temp.

3-Blocked radiator core. Try reverse flushing.
_________________
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

[GPA]

Rad cap hold pressure?

[artificer]

Get a radiator pressure tester which will check the cooling system inegrity & the radiator cap. Some folk think they have a problem & keep topping up for the excess coolant just to overflow continually.
_________________
John GIBBINS
ASE Master Medium/Heavy Truck & Auto Technician 2002 USA
Licensed Motor Mechanic NSW # MVIC 49593 Current
YOU CAN'T TROUBLESHOOT WHAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND

[Thomas]

Gentlemen;

Thanks for the information and help. I did a test today, and here is what I did and observed:

1. Removed the cap and found the water level just above the top of the core
2. Filled the radiator to the top,...just below the opening
3. Started the engine and warmed warmed it up
4. The thermostat housing warmed up, then the radiator intake area at the water inlet hose warmed up
5. As the water expanded it rose above the radiator drain inlet
6. As it rose, water droplets "danced: at the radiator

[Thomas]

Continued:

7. There were no air bubbles as I increased the engine speed.
8. As the engine warmed up and the water circulated, the water temp seemed to equal out
9. I shut off the engine and the water level settled out just above the radiator core
10. With the engine off, I did observe two or three large bubbles work their way to the mouth of the radiator opening.

I then drove the Jeep for about 20 minutes and everything seemed fine. After the drive, once the engine cooled down a bit, I removed the cap and observed the water level was a little bid lower than when I started my drive.

Any thoughts? I believe my thermostat is fine. For now, I think I will try a radiator flush first and observe from there.

Thomas
Charlotte, NC

[wesk]

[Thomas]

Wes;

Will do. Thanks again for your help.

Question: any recommendation on a brand of radiator flush?

Regards;

Thomas
Charlotte. NC

[wesk]

I think you should work one issue at a time.

I do not recommend any gooey agents being pumped into the cooling system. The best course of action when a cooling system is suspected of being stopped up is pressure reverse flushing with plain water and air.

If the stoppage is obvious and reverse pressure flushing doesn't clear the system then remove the radiator and have it professionally hot tanked.
_________________
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php