Leaky Radiator

[Gary Yarbrough]

On Friday, I spent some time trying (yet again) to troubleshoot my rough idle. I should have known better, given that it was the 13th! No luck... I was shut down early because of another issue.

I found that I have a leak in my radiator. This is the 2nd radiator to go bad in the last six months. I remember reading once that the cooling system has a pressure relief function. Can someone enlighten me on how that works and if some flaw in that system is causing my radiators to go bad? Is there something else that is likely to be causing my problems?

[secondchance]

Originally Posted by Gary Yarbrough

On Friday, I spent some time trying (yet again) to troubleshoot my rough idle. I should have known better, given that it was the 13th! No luck... I was shut down early because of another issue.

I found that I have a leak in my radiator. This is the 2nd radiator to go bad in the last six months. I remember reading once that the cooling system has a pressure relief function. Can someone enlighten me on how that works and if some flaw in that system is causing my radiators to go bad? Is there something else that is likely to be causing my problems?

Are you running low temp thermostat?
Before I found out our thermostat needs bypass holes I had a 160 degree thermostat installed without any bypass. I strongly suspect this led to my radiator failure.

[Gary Yarbrough]

I believe I'm running a stock thermostat. But, it could have been changed before I bought the car and not recorded...

[secondchance]

Also check and, if necessary, replace coolant reservoir cap. This is another point of pressure relief.
As far as I know, these two, improper thermostat and/or reservoir cap, are only things that could hold pressure to a point of rad failure.
Pressure relief function you are thinking about may be the bypass feature of the thermostat to relieve coolant pressure at high rev.

[Gary Yarbrough]

Thanks! I'll check both out.

I'm leaning toward the bypass feature of the thermostat b/c my leak is happening at high rev. I'd say 5500 to 6500 RPM.

[jonszr1]

there a re some therms that are for sale out there that have the wrong type of bypass feature that can cause what is happening to you , napa sells a known good type .or you can get one from randy woods at srp products. his arent cheap but they are of great quality and you can get them in 160-165-170 degrees . i use his thems in all my cars

[QB93Z]

Here is a picture of the thermostat from my 1993 ZR-1 for comparison:



Jim

[secondchance]

Originally Posted by Gary Yarbrough

Thanks! I'll check both out.

I'm leaning toward the bypass feature of the thermostat b/c my leak is happening at high rev. I'd say 5500 to 6500 RPM.

Keep us posted as to what you find. I am curious.

[2ZR1S]

Originally Posted by Gary Yarbrough

On Friday, I spent some time trying (yet again) to troubleshoot my rough idle. I should have known better, given that it was the 13th! No luck... I was shut down early because of another issue.

I found that I have a leak in my radiator. This is the 2nd radiator to go bad in the last six months. I remember reading once that the cooling system has a pressure relief function. Can someone enlighten me on how that works and if some flaw in that system is causing my radiators to go bad? Is there something else that is likely to be causing my problems?

I destroyed a brand new Fluidyne aluminum radiator by installing an after market thermostat. $500 dollar lesson learned.....

[secondchance]

Originally Posted by 2ZR1S

I destroyed a brand new Fluidyne aluminum radiator by installing an after market thermostat. $500 dollar lesson learned.....

Ouch! Sorry to hear that. I cracked my radiator, I suspect, for the same reason but the car had about 50,000. I got a used replacement that was pulled out of a 94 ZR-1 w/ 5,000 miles belonging to another forum member for $50!
Come to think of it, I just replaced all my rotors out of another 94 ZR-1 given to me by another forum member free!
NCRS folks, please note they are both 94 ZR-1 factory originals!!!