Suddenly overheating
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Woodstock, GA
Based on the posts above, I get the feeling that the radiator is still original. If so, at 365k that is shocking. They are quite prone to cracking (usually at the tank, but sometimes the neck as well) usually any time after ~100k miles or so (sometimes sooner). I would not be surprised at all to discover a leak in the radiator at this point.
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Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Woodstock, GA
Correction: I just did a search and I just replaced that radiator a year ago at 348k. According to my post, it was a Spectra radiator that only lasted 17k. WTH? Makes me wonder if the tank is rubbing on something .... or it died a premature death?
Do you have the radiator sitting on the rubber mounts? Could be possible it somehow cracked the plastic if it's sitting right on the lower radiator support and kept moving around.
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
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From: Woodstock, GA
At this point, I wonder if it is seated properly on the rubber mounts. My guess is - no. I'll have to check it out.
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From: Poway, Ca. where GOD and the sun always shines
To test the head gasket. take the radiator cap off (when cold) and start the vehicle, if you start seeing bubbles your head gasket is compromised. If your system is old, and you replace the radiator and cap (18psi) I would bet my bottom dollar in a few months your water pump will start leaking. Now would be the time to replace that also.
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Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Woodstock, GA
Pretty sure I found the problem. The two hoses that connect to the top of the radiator were reversed. The upper port ran to the head and the lower was going to the coolant recovery reservoir.
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From: Woodstock, GA
I'm actually shocked that it ran that way since I replaced my radiator last July. That would have been the last time those lines would have been removed. I'm going to hold off on the radiator at this point. I have a pressure tester coming in. And the rubber mounts were indeed in place under the radiator.
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Woodstock, GA
Nope. The blunder was all mine. We've had some hot days here in Atlanta and also the majority of my driving is highway. Traffic has also been much lighter over the past 3 months as well, for obvious reasons. I've been working from home.