Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » F#$%! Radiator leak!
| F#$%! Radiator leak! [message #105434] |
Mon, 08 November 2010 11:25  |
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Man when it rains it pours, my rig seems to have developed a small leak in the rad right near the bottom center of the core. probably some small speck of rad crap is to blame, or perhaps just good old age....
Heh after dumping all the money on tires lately I dont have any left over for a rad replacement, gonna try a little liquid copper, if it isnt too bad that should hold it up... will keep you guys posted...
73 Canyon Lands, (a.k.a. The Yellow Submarine) West Los Angeles CA
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| Re: [GMCnet] F#$%! Radiator leak! [message #105436 is a reply to message #105434] |
Mon, 08 November 2010 11:40  |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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Shan, a small leak in a radiator seems like a small thing. Nothing could be
further from reality. When your core is leaking, it is not pressurized. This
lowers the boiling point of the coolant and promotes the formation of
bubbles in the cylinder heads around the valve pockets. This leads to
overheating in a very localized area which may not even register on a
temperature gage, but dramatically shortens the life of valves & seats. It
would be great if there were some wonderful product that will fix this
permanently but I've never encountered one. Ain't no cure for a leaky core
but to remove the radiator from the coach and either recore it or replace
the entire thing. Radiators have a finite life, kinda like furnaces. With
the amount of money that one is gambling by band aid repairs to the core
while ignoring what it is protecting, it is a big risk. One that I wouldn't
take in similar circumstances.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 Royale 403
On Mon, Nov 8, 2010 at 9:25 AM, Shan Rose <defconfx@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Man when it rains it pours, my rig seems to have developed a small leak in
> the rad right near the bottom center of the core. probably some small speck
> of rad crap is to blame, or perhaps just good old age....
>
> Heh after dumping all the money on tires lately I dont have any left over
> for a rad replacement, gonna try a little liquid copper, if it isnt too bad
> that should hold it up... will keep you guys posted...
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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| Re: F#$%! Radiator leak! [message #105438 is a reply to message #105434] |
Mon, 08 November 2010 11:59 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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When a rock hit my radiator after I had just had it rodded out several years ago. I drained it cleaned the problem tube and soldered it with a soldering iron. This held untill I replaced it with the aluminum radiator which is the best way to go when you can afford it.
Roy
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: [GMCnet] F#$%! Radiator leak! [message #105442 is a reply to message #105440] |
Mon, 08 November 2010 14:14 |
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Gary, I'm in Los Angeles. Well I backflushed the cooling system, and refilled it with coolant and Bars Leaks liquid copper radiator and block sealer. This stuff is pretty decent and uses a fiberglass liquid with emulsified copper. I ran the motor and got the coling system up to temp and pressure. So will see if that seals it. I've had decent luck with this sort of stuff, though Alumiseal was the product I have had actual experience with and the Bars Leaks looks to be an improvement on that product. If it works like the Alumaseal, the rad will last till replacement. This was a seaping leak which can usually be repaired with such products unlike a blowout which cannot... Will look at it when I get home and will know then..
| Gary Worobec wrote on Mon, 08 November 2010 13:07 |
Shan, where are you located?
Thanks
Gary and Joanne Worobec
1973 GMC Glacier
Anza, CA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Shan Rose" <defconfx@gmail.com>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 9:25 AM
Subject: [GMCnet] F#$%! Radiator leak!
>
>
> Man when it rains it pours, my rig seems to have developed a small leak in
> the rad right near the bottom center of the core. probably some small
> speck of rad crap is to blame, or perhaps just good old age....
>
> Heh after dumping all the money on tires lately I dont have any left over
> for a rad replacement, gonna try a little liquid copper, if it isnt too
> bad that should hold it up... will keep you guys posted...
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
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73 Canyon Lands, (a.k.a. The Yellow Submarine) West Los Angeles CA
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| Re: [GMCnet] F#$%! Radiator leak! [message #105444 is a reply to message #105434] |
Mon, 08 November 2010 14:17 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Shan,
I had the radiator in Double Trouble cleaned and flushed when I first bought
it. This past fall I attached the trans cooler to it using the plastic
through the radiator thingies. BIG MISTAKE! Those "thingies" might be OK for
a new radiator but one that's over thirty years old they AIN'T.
We hit a set of railroad tracks hard just before we got to Ken Henderson's
home in Americus which almost sent the front end airborne. When we got to
Ken's he noted that there was water pouring out from the front of the coach.
By now your wondering what the hell does this have to do with MY problem,
well here you go. I examined the torn tubes and they were REALLY thin
walled. I'd guess that after thirty years and God knows how many cleanings
they were on their last legs.
If I were you I would:
a) take the radiator out and have it re-cored (14 fins per inch)
b) buy a new aluminum radiator
I took the b) option.
If you can't get a good re-core contact Jim B at the Coop.
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Shan Rose
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 11:26 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] F#$%! Radiator leak!
Man when it rains it pours, my rig seems to have developed a small leak in
the rad right near the bottom center of the core. probably some small speck
of rad crap is to blame, or perhaps just good old age....
Heh after dumping all the money on tires lately I dont have any left over
for a rad replacement, gonna try a little liquid copper, if it isnt too bad
that should hold it up... will keep you guys posted...
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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] F#$%! Radiator leak! [message #105446 is a reply to message #105434] |
Mon, 08 November 2010 14:30 |
Ray Erspamer
Messages: 1707
Registered: May 2007
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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My radiator just did the same thing.......so I removed it and brought it into a
great radiator shop here in town, they could have repaired it but someone had
put JB Weld on it once before.
I ended up buying a new high efficiency core with the recommended number of
rows, fins, yada yada that was recommended on here, I can't remember the exact
details but they're posted.
Final cost was approx. $460. I would have loved to put in a new aluminum
radiator, but with shipping that would have been $900+ so I passed.
Never a dull moment with the GMC !! But....no matter how much we spend, we're
STILL a mile under what some of these people are paying for the new small
coaches with porthole windows, etc.
Ray
Ray & Lisa Erspamer
78 Royale Center Kitchen
TZE368V101144
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
Email: 78GMC-Royale@att.net
414-745-3188
Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/
________________________________
From: Shan Rose <defconfx@gmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Mon, November 8, 2010 11:25:59 AM
Subject: [GMCnet] F#$%! Radiator leak!
Man when it rains it pours, my rig seems to have developed a small leak in the
rad right near the bottom center of the core. probably some small speck of rad
crap is to blame, or perhaps just good old age....
Heh after dumping all the money on tires lately I dont have any left over for a
rad replacement, gonna try a little liquid copper, if it isnt too bad that
should hold it up... will keep you guys posted...
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Ray Erspamer
78 GMC Royale Center Kitchen
403, 3.70 Final Drive
Holley Sniper Quadrajet EFI System,
Holley Hyperspark Ignition System
414-484-9431
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| Re: [GMCnet] F#$%! Radiator leak! [message #105451 is a reply to message #105444] |
Mon, 08 November 2010 16:04 |
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Robert, my leak is coming from just such an area where the PO had put an extra trans cooler, I'm gonna try to re mount it in a way that does not stress the core. Hopefully the Bars leaks did the trick since after dumping 2k on wheels and tires, my upgrade budget for this year is exhausted. Sounds like I may have had a similar experience to you. The roads in LA are less then optimal and can be very abusive on suspension parts as well as other stuff. Will know more in a few hrs when I get home....
| Robert Mueller wrote on Mon, 08 November 2010 14:17 |
Shan,
I had the radiator in Double Trouble cleaned and flushed when I first bought
it. This past fall I attached the trans cooler to it using the plastic
through the radiator thingies. BIG MISTAKE! Those "thingies" might be OK for
a new radiator but one that's over thirty years old they AIN'T.
We hit a set of railroad tracks hard just before we got to Ken Henderson's
home in Americus which almost sent the front end airborne. When we got to
Ken's he noted that there was water pouring out from the front of the coach.
By now your wondering what the hell does this have to do with MY problem,
well here you go. I examined the torn tubes and they were REALLY thin
walled. I'd guess that after thirty years and God knows how many cleanings
they were on their last legs.
If I were you I would:
a) take the radiator out and have it re-cored (14 fins per inch)
b) buy a new aluminum radiator
I took the b) option.
If you can't get a good re-core contact Jim B at the Coop.
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Shan Rose
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 11:26 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] F#$%! Radiator leak!
Man when it rains it pours, my rig seems to have developed a small leak in
the rad right near the bottom center of the core. probably some small speck
of rad crap is to blame, or perhaps just good old age....
Heh after dumping all the money on tires lately I dont have any left over
for a rad replacement, gonna try a little liquid copper, if it isnt too bad
that should hold it up... will keep you guys posted...
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
73 Canyon Lands, (a.k.a. The Yellow Submarine) West Los Angeles CA
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| Re: [GMCnet] F#$%! Radiator leak! [message #105455 is a reply to message #105442] |
Mon, 08 November 2010 16:39 |
George Beckman
Messages: 1085
Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
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Senior Member |
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| Duce Apocalypse wrote on Mon, 08 November 2010 12:14 |
Gary, I'm in Los Angeles. Well I backflushed the cooling system, and refilled it with coolant and Bars Leaks liquid copper radiator and block sealer.
|
Hey, give it a try. It worked on the Nautilus and they took it under the polar ice cap.
"A leaking condenser unit threatened the secret mission to the North Pole, but security concerns and time precluded repairs through the usual channels. Experts hit on the idea of using Bar’s Leak, an automotive stop-leak product developed for leaking radiators.
Commander William Anderson ordered crewmen to change into civilian clothing. The men fanned out across Seattle in taxicabs to buy cans of Bar’s Leak at local service stations.
The sailors returned with 140 quarts of Bar’s Leak, half of which was poured into the condenser. The leak stopped."
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
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| Re: [GMCnet] F#$%! Radiator leak! [message #105464 is a reply to message #105451] |
Mon, 08 November 2010 18:09 |
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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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Shan,
I wound up buying some 1/2" square tubing from Lowes and using that to mount
the trans cooler to the front of the radiator housing. The radiator is about
1" behind the cooler which is the same as the a/c condenser.
There is one long piece that goes from side to side of the radiator frame
and two small pieces at the bottom.
I hope the Bars Leak works but I think I'd tell Santa forget about the new
front teeth you want a new radiator for Xmas! ;-)
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Shan Rose
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 4:04 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] F#$%! Radiator leak!
Robert, my leak is coming from just such an area where the PO had put an
extra trans cooler, I'm gonna try to re mount it in a way that does not
stress the core. Hopefully the Bars leaks did the trick since after dumping
2k on wheels and tires, my upgrade budget for this year is exhausted. Sounds
like I may have had a similar experience to you. The roads in LA are less
then optimal and can be very abusive on suspension parts as well as other
stuff. Will know more in a few hrs when I get home....
Robert Mueller wrote on Mon, 08 November 2010 14:17
> Shan,
>
>
> I had the radiator in Double Trouble cleaned and flushed when I first
bought
> it. This past fall I attached the trans cooler to it using the plastic
> through the radiator thingies. BIG MISTAKE! Those "thingies" might be OK
for
> a new radiator but one that's over thirty years old they AIN'T.
>
> We hit a set of railroad tracks hard just before we got to Ken Henderson's
> home in Americus which almost sent the front end airborne. When we got to
> Ken's he noted that there was water pouring out from the front of the
coach.
>
> By now your wondering what the hell does this have to do with MY problem,
> well here you go. I examined the torn tubes and they were REALLY thin
> walled. I'd guess that after thirty years and God knows how many cleanings
> they were on their last legs.
>
> If I were you I would:
>
> a) take the radiator out and have it re-cored (14 fins per inch)
> b) buy a new aluminum radiator
>
> I took the b) option.
>
> If you can't get a good re-core contact Jim B at the Coop.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> USAussie
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
> [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Shan Rose
> Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 11:26 AM
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: [GMCnet] F#$%! Radiator leak!
>
>
>
> Man when it rains it pours, my rig seems to have developed a small leak in
> the rad right near the bottom center of the core. probably some small
speck
> of rad crap is to blame, or perhaps just good old age....
>
> Heh after dumping all the money on tires lately I dont have any left over
> for a rad replacement, gonna try a little liquid copper, if it isnt too
bad
> that should hold it up... will keep you guys posted...
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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: F#$%! Radiator leak! [message #105529 is a reply to message #105434] |
Tue, 09 November 2010 10:17 |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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My radiator drips when it is cold (or if the overflow tank has any coolant in it) but as soon as it is at operating temperature the dripping stops. Dunno why, but it does and the total coolant loss on a 2 hour drive is about a 1/2 cup.
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] F#$%! Radiator leak! [message #105530 is a reply to message #105455] |
Tue, 09 November 2010 10:19 |
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Wow thats very interesting! and quite an endorsement! I must say that happily "bars leaks" has sealed my radiator! the area where the leak was coming from is now totally dry! What ever that stuff is it works. And I guess if they fixed a submarine with it, it should be good enough for my yellow submarine! haha
| George Beckman wrote on Mon, 08 November 2010 16:39 |
| Duce Apocalypse wrote on Mon, 08 November 2010 12:14 |
Gary, I'm in Los Angeles. Well I backflushed the cooling system, and refilled it with coolant and Bars Leaks liquid copper radiator and block sealer.
|
Hey, give it a try. It worked on the Nautilus and they took it under the polar ice cap.
"A leaking condenser unit threatened the secret mission to the North Pole, but security concerns and time precluded repairs through the usual channels. Experts hit on the idea of using Bar’s Leak, an automotive stop-leak product developed for leaking radiators.
Commander William Anderson ordered crewmen to change into civilian clothing. The men fanned out across Seattle in taxicabs to buy cans of Bar’s Leak at local service stations.
The sailors returned with 140 quarts of Bar’s Leak, half of which was poured into the condenser. The leak stopped."
|
73 Canyon Lands, (a.k.a. The Yellow Submarine) West Los Angeles CA
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| Re: [GMCnet] F#$%! Radiator leak! [message #105561 is a reply to message #105532] |
Tue, 09 November 2010 17:41 |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Must be a bad cap if that's the case because it's quite new.
The top of the radiator is dry, but maybe there's a hairline crack in the tank that seals up when it gets warm.
Most caps last less than 2 years? I have a 13 year old Subaru that's on it's original cap. Don't the little cars run at higher pressures than our motorhomes?
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] F#$%! Radiator leak! [message #105582 is a reply to message #105561] |
Tue, 09 November 2010 20:30 |
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well if you replace the cap and it doesnt cure the issue, then get a can of that copper bars leaks its $6.99 and looks to have just saved me $793.01!
| Luvn737s wrote on Tue, 09 November 2010 17:41 |
Must be a bad cap if that's the case because it's quite new.
The top of the radiator is dry, but maybe there's a hairline crack in the tank that seals up when it gets warm.
Most caps last less than 2 years? I have a 13 year old Subaru that's on it's original cap. Don't the little cars run at higher pressures than our motorhomes?
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73 Canyon Lands, (a.k.a. The Yellow Submarine) West Los Angeles CA
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| Re: [GMCnet] F#$%! Radiator leak! [message #106185 is a reply to message #105455] |
Fri, 19 November 2010 08:45 |
Richard Denney
Messages: 920
Registered: April 2010
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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On Mon, Nov 8, 2010 at 5:39 PM, George Beckman <gbeckman@pggp.com> wrote:
>
> Hey, give it a try. It worked on the Nautilus and they took it under the
> polar ice cap.
>
George, what book did you get the quote from? I've been looking for a good
boom about the polar transit. Bill Anderson lived near our former home in
Leesburg until he died in 2007, and we met his wife and had a long
conversation with her when she was selling their house the following year. I
realized who it was when I saw the row of stunning oil paintings of the
Nautilus at sea handing in their hallway.
Rick "you never know who lives a street or two away" Denney
--
'73 230 "Jaws"
Northern Virginia
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