Radiator was blown, fixed, but fearing it will happen again. (1 Viewer)

[Mike02]

Ebag333 (Gabe) suggested that I post on the Jefferson State Cruisers link: I am in Grants Pass and here is my problem:

I have a 1994 LC FJ80. I recently migrated from Minnesota to Oregon. Since I have owned the 80 (aprox. 6 months) there has been a very small/slow coolant leak. I have owned many vehicles with this same issue (no biggy). Anywho it progressively got worse on my journey westward and in Weaverville, CA the radiator blew out. I would also like to note that this was approximately 20 miles after I put in some Radiator "stop leak". I got some local mechanics to pull the radiator, and we found the hole at the bottom of the radiator along the seam. Around this area the radiator was "bulged" indicating to me some pretty high pressure. I had them solder the seam just to get me home (a new radiator from Redding, CA was $560.00) Everything seemed fine, but my check engine light came on for about 20 miles from Weaverville to Grants Pass, OR (probably unrelated). I believe it was the next day when I opened the hood to give everything a once over and noticed a bulging at the top of my radiator!!!!! This bulge was never there!!!!! I have not driven the 80 more than a few blocks since, until I figure out what is going on. My only idea is a blown head gasket, but I checked for bubbles in the radiator and there was none. Any of you Land Cruiser scholars have any ideas????? Thanks - I'm new to the forum (well new to posting, I've been reading the forum since before I got the 80) BTW it has 190,000 miles, locked, 3" OME heavy spring lift, 295x75xR16 BFG AT's, ARB winch bull bar.

Thanks
Mike

 

[gnob]

the only thing that will cause excessive pressure in the cooling system is the blown HG or a s*** radiator cap, or maybe some blockage, like a collapsed hose or something

 

[retrofive]

Hey Mike, thanks for posting up here. What is your final destination in OR? I may be able to help tomorrow.

 

[Ebag333]

the only thing that will cause excessive pressure in the cooling system is the blown HG or a s*** radiator cap, or maybe some blockage, like a collapsed hose or something

It's an aftermarket radiator. I suggested it could be a combination of the grey sludge that 80's sometimes have (believed to be leftover sand from the casting process), a bad radiator cap, and a weak spot on the radiator (since bronze is a relatively soft metal).

Hey Mike, thanks for posting up here. What is your final destination in OR? I may be able to help tomorrow.

He's in GP. I don't think that he needs it ASAP as he said he's been working on a remodel and hasn't even needed to drive it in a while.

I suggested Fri or Sat as those days I have off and could help work on it.

 

[Kief]

Stop leak is garbage... It will settle in low flow areas and eventually create problems in many cases. It should only be used in an emergency and the problem fixed and system flushed thoroughly.
If there is excessive pressure the cap should let it out before the radiator bulges.. A hg might let more pressure through than the cap can let out-- Look for coolant in the oil, antifreeze fouled plugs and as you mentioned bubbles in the radiator. I have a kit that can test for exhaust gases in the radiator but don't know if the test potion is still good.
Doesn't your rig have plastic tanks on the radiator BTW?

 

[tblume]

Doesn't your rig have plastic tanks on the radiator BTW?

Stock RAD yes, ask how I know

 

[TOY350]

Are you over on B or C street and like Dimmick?

 

[Mike02]

Yea I'm on B St in Grants Pass

 

[Mike02]

I'm wide open as far as schedule. I started to remove the plugs tonight, but it got to dark out. Those plugs are really deep in the head, any tips on getting them out. I bought a really deep 16mm socket today, but haven't tried to get them out yet. Thanks all of you for your responses and help thus far - really appreciated.

Mike

 

[Ebag333]

Get one of those magnets-on-a-stick jobies. Loosen the plug, then drop that down and pull it up. Super easy.

 

[TOY350]

I can get them out. I'm just down Highland and happened to see your Cruiser last week. Was going to go back over and drop a JSC card on your windshield but see that is not necessary now! Problem is I'm slammed tomorrow and then flying out of town, so I guess that doesn't help you right now. Be back later this weekend though if you still need a hand.

 

[Mike02]

Thanks Toy350 - I'll see what I can get done.

 

[CJF]

I'm free today and tomorrow.

Wouldn't mind driving up from Medford to check it out and say hi. I'll PM you my phone #; feel free to give me a call.

Curtis

 

[Mike02]

CJF (Curtis) came over today to help with the situation (Thank you Curtis). I pulled all the spark plugs and did a compression test. Here are my results. These were the approximate readings that I got on the 4th stroke of the engine:
1 - 180
2 - 180
3 - 180-185
4 - 190-195
5 - 180
6 - 190-200

What do you guys think?
The pictured spark plugs are #2 and #6 (6 on the left 2 on the right)

 

[retrofive]

I would say good. Level across is fine. Mine came out around 175. I have a extra set belts for ya ....

 

[Ebag333]

180 compared to 200 is somewhat of a largish gap, but well within spec. Plugs look fairly good. It's hard to tell in the pic, are they covered with a light ash? If they are you may be running slightly hot. If they aren't OEM plugs I suggest you order a set from cdan, they're silly cheap and are gapped properly, which many non-OEM ones are not (unless you regap them yourself).

 

[Mike02]

My plugs say Denso K16R - U. Is that OEM?

 

[Mike02]

So from my readings - It appears my head gasket is fine? Is that a fair assumption?

 

[retrofive]

Without running a snif test test or shipping your oil off to Blackstone its hard for me to say. I say me cause Im not a mechanic, just love my cruiser

PM sent RE belts.

 

[Ebag333]

So from my readings - It appears my head gasket is fine? Is that a fair assumption?

Compression test was fine, spark plugs look good. I'd point the finger at the radiator. Just my two (non-mechanic) cents.