Upon learning about the Branson Rally, I decided to update the 2004 water hoses on my recently acquired "R". Received the SE package including hoses, clear tank, new radiator cap, and thermostat Changed them all without a hitch. Did not take the prescribed amount of DEXCOOL 50/50 but figured there was some air in the system. After each excursion, a small amount of antifreeze was added, about 1/4" in the tank. I then began noticing antifreeze on the garage floor which had not been there before. Checked all the hose connections and was unable to locate any drip or wetness however did notice antifreeze collecting on top of the upgraded radiator support. Probably not a relevant point for this issue but while installing the SE fascia anti-vibration kit today, I loosened the driver's side radiator support bolt to attach the arm for the kit, antifreeze began leaking around a round rubber grommet in the support member. It soon quit which I presumed all collected fluid had drained out. I am unable to see any wetness on the radiator core. I have not been able to check out the bottom of the radiator due to the support member and the condensor? coil. Any suggestions as to how to confirm the radiator core problem without removing it? Has anyone encountered this issue? Thanks and Regards, Bruce G.
05PelicanSSR
Radiator leaking?
@Mike in AZ is the cooling specialist and knows the system well. I will see him tomorrow and point out this thread but he is traveling so might not get right back to you. I am sure he will be able to tell you the best manner to trouble shoot without getting in trouble.
Go and borrow the tools necessary to do a pressure test on your cooling system. I think both O’Reilly’s and Auto Zone will loan the tools needed. Put 15 PSI on the system and look for where it is drooling......
Mike
Mike
The cap tester kit was not adaptable to our coolant tank however I ran the engine for a while and found a small leak from the lower radiator hose. I plan on adjusting the clamp placement to seal it off. No leak was found from the bottom of the radiator. Thanks. Bruce G.
See Post #1. I changed all the hoses with the SE package in addition to the 2 small hoses (1/4” and 5/16”) which are not available through SE. I used new worm screw clamps on all the connections. Thanks. Bruce G.
Here are some pictures of the recently installed SE water piping along with the 2 small lines. One of the small lines from the top of the block is 1/4" while the line from the radiator is 5/16" by 1/4" at the coolant tank. The blue lines are silicone, sourced from tyrodsauto in Phoenix.
Attachments
I looked at those also, but wondered if the mounting bands would't cut into the hose when the hoses expand from internal coolant temperatures.
Hmmm ...
Hmmm ...
They were not cinched up tightly but that could certainly be an issue long term. I try to document purchase/installation dates on tools, hydraulic hoses, etc. I found a firm in So. La, which can furnish most any kind of label/tag, embossed or not. I got these plain and used an embossing set to imprint them. The metal tags are configured such that the band rides, through a slot, on top of it. They have stickon models which may work but was concerned that the heated rubber may deteriorate the adhesive. The silicone hose supplier recommended the type of worm screw clamps which prevent the “slots” from contacting the hose. I don’t recall the exact terminology. That style clamp was used on all connections. (Just a note on the adapter for the 5/16” x 1/4” line, it is stainless steel and the diameter is larger than the inlet to the coolant tank.). Thanks for the comments. Regards. Bruce G.
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