Radiator concerns

jwbc84 · Jul 11, 2023

For my 1997 AE I have noticed the radiator is really starting to discolor. It is original with 190,000 miles. As PM I am getting ready to flush the coolant system and replace the Tstat and water pump. Thinking it my be smart to replace the radiator while I'm at it.

dallen341 · Jul 11, 2023

I’d say that radiator is long overdue

robnicko · Jul 11, 2023

for sure, its only a matter of time once it gets that colour

Fj80oregon · Jul 11, 2023

If you have to ask then you already know! Replace that sucker before it blows.

efjayatee · Jul 11, 2023

What else is original? Heater control valve?
Clean engine bay though.

SpenserAK · Jul 11, 2023

Even if it still cools properly, that thing is done. Replace now before something like this happens:

So this just happened...boom!

40 minutes into my kids senior trip to Lake Tahoe with a bunch of friends, they give me a call and say "The car started to make a funny sound, I pulled over, and it blew-up spraying brown stuff and smoke everywhere." Luckily they pulled off in a pretty good spot of Interstate 80. Took me 45...

forum.ih8mud.com

Also any other old components like heater control valve, hoses (particularly hard to reach like the PHH), etc

jwbc84 · Jul 11, 2023

efjayatee said:
What else is original? Heater control valve?
Clean engine bay though.

I replaced the hoses but the rest of the cooling system is original. Just added the heater control valve to the shopping list.

jwbc84 · Jul 11, 2023

SpenserAK said:
Even if it still cools properly, that thing is done. Replace now before something like this happens:

So this just happened...boom!

40 minutes into my kids senior trip to Lake Tahoe with a bunch of friends, they give me a call and say "The car started to make a funny sound, I pulled over, and it blew-up spraying brown stuff and smoke everywhere." Luckily they pulled off in a pretty good spot of Interstate 80. Took me 45...

forum.ih8mud.com

Also any other old components like heater control valve, hoses (particularly hard to reach like the PHH), etc

Haha. Readying that post was what got me worried. It didn't help i read it the night before towing my camp trailer up the same roads.

efjayatee · Jul 11, 2023

Add new rad cap to your list as well

efjayatee · Jul 11, 2023

Add new rad cap and a blue clutch fan with 15k viscosity to your list

jwbc84 · Jul 11, 2023

efjayatee said:
Add new rad cap and a blue clutch fan with 15k viscosity to your list

I need to re-read the fan clutch mod thread. Can't I just change out the fluid in the clutchbi have. Why does it need to be a blue one?

efjayatee · Jul 12, 2023

You can save $ by replacing your current with higher viscosity and modify it for 95f.
Blue is popular clutch for our 80 to mod. If you have a black one, it is rebuild-able and in my opinion is better w/higher visc and time it to 95f.

rc51kid · Jul 12, 2023

Once you have the rdiator out it us easy to do some other coolant parts like belts, fan clutch, t stat and even the water pump. It has been a few years but i dont think the oem water pump was really that expensive. Or if you reallt want to do a "while i am in there" good time to do the oil pump cover.

jwbc84 · Jul 12, 2023

Thank you all for the great input. Any recomdatuons for the best flush additive to use? I want to flush the system before dropping in any new components.

Saito · Jul 12, 2023

jwbc84 said:
Thank you all for the great input. Any recomdatuons for the best flush additive to use? I want to flush the system before dropping in any new components.

I used some Blue Devil flush about a year ago. Think it worked well. Found it at a local parts store.

LongDuck · Jul 12, 2023

I got one word for you.

You are on borrowed time, man.

fjbj40 · Jul 13, 2023

rc51kid said:
Once you have the rdiator out it us easy to do some other coolant parts like belts, fan clutch, t stat and even the water pump. It has been a few years but i dont think the oem water pump was really that expensive. Or if you reallt want to do a "while i am in there" good time to do the oil pump cover.

Plus oil pump cover seal, front crank seal and the 3 belts.

bigredmachine · Jul 13, 2023

do the flushes with the old rad in so it can catch and gunk then install a new one when your done flushing the system. i would also replace the t-stat, waterpump if your unsure of the age or mileage, fan blades if your doing the fan clutch as they are also plastic and will deteriorate with age and if rust is a concern you may want to consider looping out the rear heat as the lines on the body are steel and will rust out at the worst time.

efjayatee · Jul 13, 2023

jwbc84 said:
Thank you all for the great input. Any recomdatuons for the best flush additive to use? I want to flush the system before dropping in any new components.

Distilled water only to flush

clx16 · Jul 13, 2023

Did you replace all the water hoses in the intake plenum?

Front crank seal and the oil pump seal like mentioned above.

I just did distilled water for a week in mine before going back to antifreeze. Flush both directions thru the heater core.

I've had radiators fail that looked way better than that...