Welp...The car has been in the shop over a year. I received it after having full suspension, brakes, ball joints, lockers, and oil leaks fixed. I purchased the rig November of 2023 and have had little time actually enjoying it. I've been driving it short distances to and from work. This is around 30 miles one way.
On the second week of driving it, I notice the coolant temp spiking to the red on small inclines. The next day I flush the coolant system, fill it, and burp it on a incline. It had the incorrect fluid inside. Car runs like a champ after the flush and fill.
Well, this weekend we decided to do a road trip to Yosemite. Everything is good, and we get all the way to Yosemite without a hiccup. As soon as we start the big climb to the entrance, the temp starts climbing. I park it and check for leaks, faulty radiator cap, coolant in the oil, bubbling coolant, and white smoke. I can't find anything. All I noticed is that I was low on coolant, so I fill it.
The car ran great after the refill of course. I got the car home and purchased a combustion leak test with the blue fluid. The fluid never turned yellow. I also purchased a new radiator cap because the ones in the photo appear to have a crack slightly higher to the cap than the ones I examined in the store with the relief cut.
I'm hoping and praying it's the radiator cap, because I'm thinking it's the head gasket or the cylinder head. Any other ideas?
On the second week of driving it, I notice the coolant temp spiking to the red on small inclines. The next day I flush the coolant system, fill it, and burp it on a incline. It had the incorrect fluid inside. Car runs like a champ after the flush and fill.
Well, this weekend we decided to do a road trip to Yosemite. Everything is good, and we get all the way to Yosemite without a hiccup. As soon as we start the big climb to the entrance, the temp starts climbing. I park it and check for leaks, faulty radiator cap, coolant in the oil, bubbling coolant, and white smoke. I can't find anything. All I noticed is that I was low on coolant, so I fill it.
The car ran great after the refill of course. I got the car home and purchased a combustion leak test with the blue fluid. The fluid never turned yellow. I also purchased a new radiator cap because the ones in the photo appear to have a crack slightly higher to the cap than the ones I examined in the store with the relief cut.
I'm hoping and praying it's the radiator cap, because I'm thinking it's the head gasket or the cylinder head. Any other ideas?
