BACKGROUND (a whole bunch of rambling random facts that I'm too ignorant to filter : 1994 FZJ80, relatively new to me with 165K. Coolant changed 1 month ago, when vehicle became a DD. Coolant last changed summer of 2004 by PO. Coolant was clean, radiator looks to be in decent shape, with some of the bottom fins starting to change color.
COOLANT LOSS during highway trips: none. Coolant loss in town: 1/4 total overflow capacity per day of a lot of short trips. Fresh coolant puddle all the way around the top lip of the radiator and in front of the battery tray (USDS, behind headlight). Bottom edge of top radiator hose wet. New radiator cap.
(ASIDE: In the interest of the 'slippery slope', I will mention that the front of the engine is dry (no coolant or oil leaks), but my valve cover gasket is leaking (oil) in two places on the USPS side (or so I think). The cover around the PCV valve is wet with oil. I will be changing the plugs, wires, cap/rotor and throttle cable in the near future.)
QUESTIONS:
1. Where is the coolant coming from? Better minds than mine suggest o-ring on top of radiator. Is this the only likely source for the leak? Does the hose get wet from the lip or does the whole lip get wet from the hose?
2. Options? Repair? Replace? Study and wait? Give up and buy a Lada? The local radiator shop couldn't get me a radiator for my old *cough* Neon after two tries, so I don't trust them too much.
3. If I'm replacing the radiator, what else should I do while it's out? I am either working on the vehicle in the driveway (New England weather - 1" of ice on the ground, highs of 50 w/rain, lows of 15 w/snow) or 30 miles away in a heated hangar - but I have to pack all my tools and parts and do it all in one day. Being a rather slow wrench, I'm looking for suggestinos of things to replace that I'm removing and/or exposing.
Radiator, many of the hoses (all?), thremostat, belts? PHH while it's drained? water pump? fan clutch? oil pump gasket? Rear wheel bearings?
4. If I'm replacing the hose (why, oh why, did I mess with it when draining/filling the block?), what else should I replace while I'm showering in coolant?
I *did* search, did read the repair/replace threads, but am hesitating to get chilblains if there is a simpler solution. I am slowly baselining the truck, chasing leaks and this *is* mud, though, so I wouldn't be too upset to start replacing stuff I figure that as I'm crawling on top of the engine changing stuff, I'll break the top tank anyhow...
Thank you in advance for your wisdom,
Andre M.
COOLANT LOSS during highway trips: none. Coolant loss in town: 1/4 total overflow capacity per day of a lot of short trips. Fresh coolant puddle all the way around the top lip of the radiator and in front of the battery tray (USDS, behind headlight). Bottom edge of top radiator hose wet. New radiator cap.
(ASIDE: In the interest of the 'slippery slope', I will mention that the front of the engine is dry (no coolant or oil leaks), but my valve cover gasket is leaking (oil) in two places on the USPS side (or so I think). The cover around the PCV valve is wet with oil. I will be changing the plugs, wires, cap/rotor and throttle cable in the near future.)
QUESTIONS:
1. Where is the coolant coming from? Better minds than mine suggest o-ring on top of radiator. Is this the only likely source for the leak? Does the hose get wet from the lip or does the whole lip get wet from the hose?
2. Options? Repair? Replace? Study and wait? Give up and buy a Lada? The local radiator shop couldn't get me a radiator for my old *cough* Neon after two tries, so I don't trust them too much.
3. If I'm replacing the radiator, what else should I do while it's out? I am either working on the vehicle in the driveway (New England weather - 1" of ice on the ground, highs of 50 w/rain, lows of 15 w/snow) or 30 miles away in a heated hangar - but I have to pack all my tools and parts and do it all in one day. Being a rather slow wrench, I'm looking for suggestinos of things to replace that I'm removing and/or exposing.
Radiator, many of the hoses (all?), thremostat, belts? PHH while it's drained? water pump? fan clutch? oil pump gasket? Rear wheel bearings?
4. If I'm replacing the hose (why, oh why, did I mess with it when draining/filling the block?), what else should I replace while I'm showering in coolant?
I *did* search, did read the repair/replace threads, but am hesitating to get chilblains if there is a simpler solution. I am slowly baselining the truck, chasing leaks and this *is* mud, though, so I wouldn't be too upset to start replacing stuff I figure that as I'm crawling on top of the engine changing stuff, I'll break the top tank anyhow...
Thank you in advance for your wisdom,
Andre M.