I noticed today a leak in my radiator (great) but it got me thinking about other issues and some weird things that have been happening.

First, last summer, when driving through Montana, I checked the coolant cap and it was cold. When I popped the cap a ton of air came out and cold coolant bubbled out. This was after driving almost a 1000 miles in the summer. That thing should have been scalding hot!

Secondly, today I put some coolant in the radiator because it was definitely low. Drove about 20 miles to get it good and hot and checked the cap again. Barely warm. Popped it and air came out and the radiator gurgled. The top hose is very hot so the tstat is opening and it's squishy. Coolant gauge reads normal.

Third, I've had the gurgling heater core every day for years. Even after replacing it last year. It always sloshes for a couple seconds then doesn't do it again until sitting a while.

What is happening? Why isn't the radiator getting hot water? How does it get air in it? Why does it gurgle? I'm fine getting a radiator but it just started leaking the last few days. Will that cure the problem? Thanks.

 

How old is your radiator? Original? Might be partially plugged. Not like it get it gets really hot in Montana...... If you have an IR temp gun, run the engine up to temp, and then start checking various spots on the radiator. If you have some obviously cooler spots, that shouldn't be, likely time for at least a flush, but, if yours is leaking anyway..... Just replace it, call it a day.

Getting all the air out of the heater core is a major pain. Still and all, you shouldn't be getting a lot of air out of the system. (and, opening it when hot really isn't a good idea, you can get seriously scalded doing that......)

Before you do any of that though, might want to check the coolant for combustion gases. Local parts store will have the test kit and chems for ya.

 

I have had the same issue as you (Rad cap cold). The gurgling tells me air in the heater core and the air in the rad could have been from that leak. As it cools off the leak usually sucks air in. The cold cap I have no idea. Same with mine.

 

I guess it's just due for a replacement. The radiator is 21 years old. I only opened it because the cap was cold. I can't get scalded if the coolant isn't even hot in the radiator. Does anyone make a pressure deal that pushes air out?

 

Run the engine with the radiator cap off..... Hard part is, getting all the air out of the heater core. If you check some of the fanatics last few posts, you will see a pic of where he installed a flush tee, for just such a purpose.

 

Oh, I've done all that and more before. Just never seen or heard of a cold radiator. I'll just swap it out and go from there. To burp I always jack the right front way up and run it without the cap. Seemed to work fine after the core and a few water pumps. After 20 years of ownership, she's starting to show her age. And I just ordered a Jegs ypipe for it too. Figures.

 

Where do you jack? My jack barely lifts my 2500 passenger wheel off the ground

 

I went out in the fields, and found a STEEP hill to park on.

 

I jack from the axle and use blocks if I have to.

 

There are so many things I got to do but didn't get time. It's a stick and the emergency brake only holds on slight hills and the girlfriend is getting tired of this 😂