Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Radiator Leaking - AGAIN!!!
| Radiator Leaking - AGAIN!!! [message #172714] |
Sat, 09 June 2012 16:15  |
Jon payne
Messages: 495
Registered: May 2008
Karma: 1
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Installed my "repaired" radiator this morning then pressurized it to about 4 or 5 psi to leak check the system. Two pin hole leaks were shooting out the front of the radiator. #%&%@***&%!!!!
No time to get repaired or recored or install a new one. So its either add stop leak or leave the GMC behind!
Considering they are pin hole leaks,whats the likely hood that stop leak will work? Is it a good temporary fix? Has anyone had good luck with it? Its my only option at this point.
Jon
Jon Payne
76 Palm Beach
Westfield,IN
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| Re: Radiator Leaking - AGAIN!!! [message #172716 is a reply to message #172714] |
Sat, 09 June 2012 16:32  |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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| Jon Payne wrote on Sat, 09 June 2012 14:15 |
Installed my "repaired" radiator this morning then pressurized it to about 4 or 5 psi to leak check the system. Two pin hole leaks were shooting out the front of the radiator. #%&%@***&%!!!!
No time to get repaired or recored or install a new one. So its either add stop leak or leave the GMC behind!
Considering they are pin hole leaks,whats the likely hood that stop leak will work? Is it a good temporary fix? Has anyone had good luck with it? Its my only option at this point.
Jon
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I guess you have no other choice but to try it but it will likely take twice as much as a car. I had a radiator shop do that to me once with the GMC. I'll bet he wouldn't have made that mistake if he was doing all the work. If it works out don't forget to flush it all out when you get back and get it fixed properly.
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: Radiator Leaking - AGAIN!!! [message #172726 is a reply to message #172718] |
Sat, 09 June 2012 18:07 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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If you can get to the leaking spots get some epoxy plumbers putty from Menards, Lowes, Home Depot, or your favorite Hardware store. Pack it in around the leaking tube(s) and it will set up very hard as soon as it gets warm. I blew a major hole in my old radiator. After trying many things, the plumbers putty did the trick. We continued on our trip and replaced the radiator later at the GMCMI rally in Delaware. You might want to clean up the spot you are sealing with Acid flux used in soldering and flush it as clean as possible befor packing it with epoxy putty.
A second idea is to see how quickly Gene Dotson can ship you one.
I also have a radiator in my hangar removed from a coach a few years back. It was good when removed. The owner wanted a new aluminum one. I could get it to Indy in about 4 hours if necessary. Blaine Merrell has my old one but I don't think I would recommend it.
I do not know when you are leaving.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Radiator Leaking - AGAIN!!! [message #172728 is a reply to message #172726] |
Sat, 09 June 2012 18:19 |
mickeysss
Messages: 1476
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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west marine sells an epoxy that works under water for boat bottoms, and hardens even when wet. Ken is right.
I have used on tires a small screw with epoxy on it and try and screw it in to hold it in place under pressure, but
i have never tried it with a radiator. i think ken's idea is great. If you get some where that you can drain the radiator
and keep the fluid and put it back easy, epoxy works better when water is not on the inside of it i would suppose,
i am sorry i really do not know what i am talking about, i will shut up and say good luck. regards, back to lurking.
On Jun 9, 2012, at 4:07 PM, Ken Burton wrote:
>
>
> If you can get to the leaking spots get some epoxy plumbers putty from Menards, Lowes, Home Depot, or your favorite Hardware store. Pack it in around the leaking tube(s) and it will set up very hard as soon as it gets warm. I blew a major hole in my old radiator. After trying many things, the plumbers putty did the trick. We continued on our trip and replaced the radiator later at the GMCMI rally in Delaware. You might want to clean up the spot you are sealing with Acid flux used in soldering and flush it as clean as possible befor packing it with epoxy putty.
>
> A second idea is to see how quickly Gene Dotson can ship you one.
>
> I also have a radiator in my hangar removed from a coach a few years back. It was good when removed. The owner wanted a new aluminum one. I could get it to Indy in about 4 hours if necessary. Blaine Merrell has my old one but I don't think I would recommend it.
>
> I do not know when you are leaving.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Radiator Leaking - AGAIN!!! [message #172733 is a reply to message #172728] |
Sat, 09 June 2012 19:09 |
Jon payne
Messages: 495
Registered: May 2008
Karma: 1
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Hi Ken,
Thanks for your offer! You are very kind. I think if I pull this radiator out i am going o install a new one. I talked to Nick at Applied and he can have one dropped shipped to me by Wednesday. If i do that than i will start my vacation one day early so i will have time to install. I am going to try the stop leak tomorrow and if it does not work than i will get the aluminum radiator.
So when i do install the aluminum radiator what problems might i encounter during the install? Nick mentioned that there maybe some difficulties installing the top SS braided oil hose. Has any one experienced this problem?
Jon
Jon Payne
76 Palm Beach
Westfield,IN
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| Re: [GMCnet] Radiator Leaking - AGAIN!!! [message #172746 is a reply to message #172714] |
Sat, 09 June 2012 20:37 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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In '99 I took my GMC to the GMC Coop for wheel alignment. JimB & I took a
ride "around the block" so he could see how it drove. When we got back,
the radiator was trying to find a urinal. Nice arching stream out of the
lower section of the radiator where a rock had struck a tube.
Jim B put stop leak, Barr's IIRC, in it and the leak soon stopped.
That radiator is now in my son's coach; it's never been repaired again
since in probably 70,000 miles. That's undoubtedly some sort of a record,
but it convinces me that stop leak is worth trying.
Oh yeah, I DID install the intended rock guard for the lower radiator
before the trip to Alaska in '00. :-)
Ken H.
On Sat, Jun 9, 2012 at 5:15 PM, Jon Payne wrote:
>
>
> Installed my "repaired" radiator this morning then pressurized it to about
> 4 or 5 psi to leak check the system. Two pin hole leaks were shooting out
> the front of the radiator. #%&%@***&%!!!!
>
> No time to get repaired or recored or install a new one. So its either add
> stop leak or leave the GMC behind!
>
> Considering they are pin hole leaks,whats the likely hood that stop leak
> will work? Is it a good temporary fix? Has anyone had good luck with it?
> Its my only option at this point.
>
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Radiator Leaking - AGAIN!!! [message #172747 is a reply to message #172733] |
Sat, 09 June 2012 20:44 |
shawnee
Messages: 422
Registered: February 2004
Location: NC
Karma: 0
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| Jon Payne wrote on Sat, 09 June 2012 20:09 |
Hi Ken,
Thanks for your offer! You are very kind. I think if I pull this radiator out i am going o install a new one. I talked to Nick at Applied and he can have one dropped shipped to me by Wednesday. If i do that than i will start my vacation one day early so i will have time to install. I am going to try the stop leak tomorrow and if it does not work than i will get the aluminum radiator.
So when i do install the aluminum radiator what problems might i encounter during the install? Nick mentioned that there maybe some difficulties installing the top SS braided oil hose. Has any one experienced this problem?
Jon
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Jon,
Take a look at the back of your radiator and if you see blueish green streaks on it then you have pin holes leaking the fluid out. Pin holes only get bigger, never smaller which means the core is getting thin.
Gene Dotson
74 Canyonlands
www.bdub.net/Motorhome_Enhancements New Windows and Aluminum Radiators
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| Re: [GMCnet] Radiator Leaking - AGAIN!!! [message #172748 is a reply to message #172733] |
Sat, 09 June 2012 20:42 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Jon,
As I understand it part of the radiator repair process is to "boil it out."
I am not completely familiar with the process or the chemicals used so I did
a Google search and it appears that the chemicals used can be strongly
alkaline, caustic soda, or diluted muriatic acid. All of those are seriously
nasty and will remove the crud on the inside of the tubes. They might even
attack the "good" metal too.
Thirty plus years of service during which the anti freeze was not changed
regularly results in heaps of corrosion in the tubes. Removing that
corrosion will return performance to the core, however, it is likely that
some of those tubes will have paper thin walls. When KenH and I replaced the
radiator in Double Trouble we noted that.
You can put Bars Leak in it and it will probably work OK for your trip,
however, as you drive down the road you will be worried that the damn thing
will spring a leak. This will have an effect on your vacation. If you do
decide not to replace it bring a couple of raw eggs, I remember reading that
putting a raw egg into a hot radiator will hard boil it and plug the leak.
I think you would be better off getting the aluminum radiator drop shipped
and installed.
I am sending you the instructions that come with the aluminum radiator off
net so you can see what it entails.
Double Trouble has a set of JR's braided SS flex lines and the upper one did
reach when KenH and I installed the aluminum radiator.
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jon Payne
Hi Ken,
Thanks for your offer! You are very kind. I think if I pull this radiator
out i am going o install a new one. I talked to Nick at Applied and he can
have one dropped shipped to me by Wednesday. If i do that than i will start
my vacation one day early so i will have time to install. I am going to try
the stop leak tomorrow and if it does not work than i will get the aluminum
radiator.
So when i do install the aluminum radiator what problems might i encounter
during the install? Nick mentioned that there maybe some difficulties
installing the top SS braided oil hose. Has any one experienced this
problem?
Jon
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Radiator Leaking - AGAIN!!! [message #172759 is a reply to message #172753] |
Sat, 09 June 2012 22:03 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Jon,
I bit the bullet and went with an aluminum radiator when I did the timing chain etc. a few years ago. My radiator did not get hot across the lower third of the core, which said to me that the lower part was seriously clogged. It is the way to go in my opinion. If you have time, get one in there.
On the other hand, I have had good luck with stop leak (Alumaseal has been a favorite of mine) for years on various vehicles. As long as you don't have a split tube, and the problem is confined to pin holes, I would think stop leak would work, and I would probably take a chance on it. Make sure your water tank is full and carry some extra, along with some extra stop leak.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Radiator Leaking - AGAIN!!! [message #172767 is a reply to message #172752] |
Sun, 10 June 2012 02:07 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| WD0AFQ wrote on Sat, 09 June 2012 21:00 |
I think I would want to call the radiator shop to see why it is leaking now but not when they tested it. Just does not sound like the shop did what should have been done. If it was not repairable they should have told you that and not taken your money. It is aggravating when a shop takes our money and does a poor job. Don't think I would want to recommend them to anyone for future work.
Jon, I think Ken has my old radiator. There was nothing wrong with it when it was removed from our coach in 07, when we replaced it with the aluminum one.
However, I would be like you and think long term. The aluminum one is the way to go. No more worries in the future. I have driven 400 miles in 112 degree Arizona temps, never even thought about running hot.
Dan
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Dan,
That is the radiator I offered to him. It is still wrapped up and occupying a small amount of space in my hangar. I would get it down to him if he needs one in a rush. Going with a new aluminum one from Gene Dotson or Jim K., if he has one in stock, is the way to go.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Radiator Leaking - AGAIN!!! [message #172768 is a reply to message #172733] |
Sun, 10 June 2012 02:13 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| Jon Payne wrote on Sat, 09 June 2012 19:09 |
Hi Ken,
Thanks for your offer! You are very kind. I think if I pull this radiator out i am going o install a new one. I talked to Nick at Applied and he can have one dropped shipped to me by Wednesday. If i do that than i will start my vacation one day early so i will have time to install. I am going to try the stop leak tomorrow and if it does not work than i will get the aluminum radiator.
So when i do install the aluminum radiator what problems might i encounter during the install? Nick mentioned that there maybe some difficulties installing the top SS braided oil hose. Has any one experienced this problem?
Jon
|
I had no problem with the stainless lines. I did have to extend the wire for the low coolant probe. Not all coaches have a coolant level probe.
Also make sure you get new rubber mounting pads with the radiator. Gene, and I assume Jim K., has them. There was something else. I do not remember. Maybe it was line adapters for the coolant lines. It is best to ask Gene Dotson (user id shawnee right here). He will tell you exactly what is needed.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Radiator Leaking - AGAIN!!! [message #172777 is a reply to message #172714] |
Sun, 10 June 2012 07:49 |
Jon payne
Messages: 495
Registered: May 2008
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Thanks everyone! Regarding installing the aluminum radiator, is there any issues with the SS oil hoses being to short to reach the top port? I heard this is the case and why I am hesitant to try to install the new radiator before my trip. I just dont have the time if I run into problems with the install.
Jon
Jon Payne
76 Palm Beach
Westfield,IN
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| Re: [GMCnet] Radiator Leaking - AGAIN!!! [message #172797 is a reply to message #172795] |
Sun, 10 June 2012 12:27 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I also had no problems with the oil lines. I am assuming you are talking about the flexible stainless lines supplied by JR Slaten. I have those and also have rigid stainless transmission lines going to the radiator.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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