Problem with Radiator need help
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 87 Trans Am, 89 RX7
Engine: 350tpi,350carb
Transmission: T-5,t56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Posi,4.11 posi
Problem with Radiator need help
Me and my friend were driving today and we noticed that when I pulled into the driveway and popped the hood, there was A LOT of smoke coming from the passenger side of the radiator below the radiator cap. Furthermore there was a bulge in the radiator cap, wasnt completely straight there was a little bump going upwards on it. Anyone know what this is, the cost for new parts, and how easy a fix is? Thanks.
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 87 Trans Am, 89 RX7
Engine: 350tpi,350carb
Transmission: T-5,t56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Posi,4.11 posi
The smoke was coming from far under the radiator cap, I saw the radiator cap bulge and everything and I will prolly replace that, but the smoke was ciming from far below the radiator cap.
Trending Topics
#8
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Posts: 20,981
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes
on
8 Posts
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
If the cap was bulging, it sounds like it wasn't venting at all. The excess pressure could have ruptured something somewhere. Is it leaking now? You might want to take it to a radiator shop to get it pressure tested.
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 87 Trans Am, 89 RX7
Engine: 350tpi,350carb
Transmission: T-5,t56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Posi,4.11 posi
ok so say I did rupture something, is it ok for me to drive down to a shop to get it checked or will it do any damage?
#10
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Worcester, MA
Posts: 3,361
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 86 T/A
Engine: HSR 355
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.77 posi
How far is the shop? A few miles won't do any damage if the engine stays relatively cool. If the cap is bent then replace it before you pay someone else to tell you it's bad. Sounds like it didn't open then the pressure just bent it (luckily that rather than bending the radiator!).
#12
Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Queens, Ny
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1986 Camaro z28
Engine: 305 tpi/light mods
Transmission: 700r4/ B&M mega shifter
When your ready to drive to the shop make sure the car is completly cold and when u turn it on dont let it warm up at all, just turn it on and start driving, get to the shop a.s.a.p.
#13
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 87 Trans Am, 89 RX7
Engine: 350tpi,350carb
Transmission: T-5,t56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Posi,4.11 posi
If the cap was bulging, it sounds like it wasn't venting at all. The excess pressure could have ruptured something somewhere. Is it leaking now? You might want to take it to a radiator shop to get it pressure tested.
#14
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Arcadia ,Ca
Posts: 2,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 82 firebird s/e 83 Trans Am
Engine: 5.0L 305ci 4b carb.....CFI
Transmission: TH200C....700R4
well that smoke just didnt happen for no reason.You gotta find out why it smoked
#15
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 87 Trans Am, 89 RX7
Engine: 350tpi,350carb
Transmission: T-5,t56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Posi,4.11 posi
I took off the cap today, about 5 days after the incident, and I noticed there was a lot of cooant in the radiator, I can take a picture in a day or two but does anyone know what this may mean?
#16
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Worcester, MA
Posts: 3,361
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 86 T/A
Engine: HSR 355
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.77 posi
Coolant in the radiator? I have NO IDEA!
(Sounds like it should be there.)
Get a new cap, top off the system, see if you have any problems overheating. It's not that hard.
(Sounds like it should be there.)
Get a new cap, top off the system, see if you have any problems overheating. It's not that hard.
#17
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 87 Trans Am, 89 RX7
Engine: 350tpi,350carb
Transmission: T-5,t56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Posi,4.11 posi
when I meant coolant in the radiator, I meant there was a lot of it, I'm starting to get concerned that this might be a head gasket of a thermostat does anyone think it is and why?
#18
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Posts: 20,981
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes
on
8 Posts
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
The radiator needs to be full of coolant. Anything less isn't "a lot", it's "not enough".
#19
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ENGLISHTOWN NJ
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Engine: 3.4lL 60* V6
Transmission: Tremic TKO 600 RR
Help me here gang. ITthermostat will eithe stick open (no problem other then you do not warm up) or closed, this is a problem, the car would over heat, Blown head gasket you you could get lots of white smoke coming out the tail pipe, and or you would be down coolent in the radator,
Paul
Paul
#20
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 87 Trans Am, 89 RX7
Engine: 350tpi,350carb
Transmission: T-5,t56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Posi,4.11 posi
heres some more pics. I know I need a new radiator cap and everything but it looks like there is too much coolant in the radiator. I know also I need to add coolant to the overflow.
#21
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Arcadia ,Ca
Posts: 2,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 82 firebird s/e 83 Trans Am
Engine: 5.0L 305ci 4b carb.....CFI
Transmission: TH200C....700R4
your radiator looks normal.Just fill up your overflow to the recommended line.And if your in doubt about your cap just get a new one,youll sllep better and there not expensive
#22
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Posts: 20,981
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes
on
8 Posts
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
That's not "too much", it's "full". It is not possible in any way for there to be "too much" coolant in the radiator.
#23
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Houma, La
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 88 bird
Engine: 355
Transmission: 700 R-4
If u need a radiator,I have a new one
Originally posted by rjpbboi
Mark C. Buffington
"the Accelerator"
#24
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ENGLISHTOWN NJ
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Engine: 3.4lL 60* V6
Transmission: Tremic TKO 600 RR
I just took a good look at the picture of the cap, does the gasket look a little odd, or is it just the angle of the picture
Paul
Paul
#25
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Houma, La
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 88 bird
Engine: 355
Transmission: 700 R-4
make sure you replace the thermostat
A thermostat stuck closed can also cause your problem.The thermostat does not only keep the coolant in the block for the engine to get to normal operating temperature,it also keeps the coolant stationary in the radiator so it canbe cooled by the fan pulling air through the radiator.when the engine temperature gets high enough to open the the thermostat,the coolant in the radiator is then returned to the engine to keep it's temperature fairly consistant.So the thermostat serves two purposes contrary to most people's belief.If you want to know if the thermostat is the cause of your problem,look at the # on the thermostat.It should be :160/180/195. Put it in a pan on the stove with a thermometer and slowly heat it.It should begin to open at the # on the thermostat.I have seen heater cores and radiators burst due to a defective thermostat.Also,I saw the picture of your radiator cap,and noticed the rubber seal is distorted.Try running the engine till it is warmed up and turn the engine off.Quickly feel the bottom of the radiator and the top of the radiator from under the hood.If the bottom of the radiator is cooler than the top,the radiator is plugged.Good luck,Mark C. Buffington
"The Accelerator"
"The Accelerator"
#26
Supreme Member
iTrader: (45)
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Northern, VA
Posts: 3,970
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: Pair of 92 Z28s
Replace the cap and go from there. Caps are under 10$ at any auto parts store make sure u get the right psi...
Its a part that should be replaced every 30k miles or something...Its not like ur wasting ur money.
....Go from there.
Its a part that should be replaced every 30k miles or something...Its not like ur wasting ur money.
....Go from there.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
1992 Trans Am
History / Originality
27
05-10-2023 07:19 PM
eightsixseven
Tech / General Engine
1
08-14-2015 03:09 PM