Woe is me, '92 cooling issues

[alkaline747trio]

Since I bought the truck, it has always seemed to run hot, although I only have the stock dumb guage to go by. Well, after a cracked top tank, and 4 system flushes, I am gonna say I think I have an issue.

This is the water from the radiator, no coolant added the last 2 flushes.



Why in the world is it so rusty? I've been using distilled water the whole time, only other thing in the radiator was baking soda after the first flush, and it was only in the system for 2 days.

 

[Kaderabek]

14 year old radiator could be the issue.

TJK

 

[Pskhaat]

Change out the radiator, keep the coolant at 50% mixture, use the cheap stuff, and flush it every month. It should clear up. Have you been using a lower % than normal coolant mixture?

What kind of coolant are you running? Isn't ordinary coolant a basic pH>7? why the sodium bicarbonate?

 

[Tools R Us]

I would try a chemical flush, like Prestone super flush, Zerex Radiator Super Cleaner, etc. followed by several good water flushes. Read the directions, a couple of bottles maybe needed due to the large cooling system capasity. Warning, something is rusting, the corrosion maybe sealing a leak, if cleaned out you may find that leak!

 

[alkaline747trio]

Change out the radiator, keep the coolant at 50% mixture, use the cheap stuff, and flush it every month. It should clear up. Have you been using a lower % than normal coolant mixture?

What kind of coolant are you running? Isn't ordinary coolant a basic pH>7? why the sodium bicarbonate?

Don't have the dough to change out the radiator, and the local radiator guy (who also told me that baking soda would clean out my system) told me everything looked good when he replaced the top tank.

I have been running practically no coolant the last 2 months, just whatever traces might have been left in it after the two coolant free flushes.

I would try a chemical flush, like Prestone super flush, Zerex Radiator Super Cleaner, etc. followed by several good water flushes. Read the directions, a couple of bottles maybe needed due to the large cooling system capasity. Warning, something is rusting, the corrosion maybe sealing a leak, if cleaned out you may find that leak!

I'll try the chem flush. By "followed by several good water flushes" do you mean, flush with the chem, then right after flush with water, or flush with chem, then a day or two later flush with water?

If the corrosion is hiding a leak, then good, I'd rather replace it when I wont be far from home than be on the trail or way off down the road when it happens.

 

[Tools R Us]

...
I have been running practically no coolant the last 2 months, just whatever traces might have been left in it after the two coolant free flushes.

That will cause traces of rust in the water.

I'll try the chem flush. By "followed by several good water flushes" do you mean, flush with the chem, then right after flush with water, or flush with chem, then a day or two later flush with water?

Follow the directions, fresh water flush it well so that the chemicals don't contaminate the new antifreeze. I would get antifreeze back in it ASAP so the cleaned surfaces don't rust again.

If the corrosion is hiding a leak, then good, I'd rather replace it when I wont be far from home than be on the trail or way off down the road when it happens.

I agree 100%, but some flush then cry that the flush caused a leak, it didn't just exposed one that would have been a problem, more sooner than later.

 

[TiredIronGRB]

Replace the radiator.

 

[Cruiser Jimmy]

747,

Google radiator barn for the URL. I bought my radiator from them for about $185 + shipping.

Of course that's if you're okay with putting other than Toyota in your rig.

Edit: Opps, they went up a little. $220.

 

[alkaline747trio]

So coolant prevents rust, and running without has done more harm than good?

Other than toyota is the problem..but if I have to, I guess I will.

 

[Tools R Us]

So coolant prevents rust, and running without has done more harm than good?

Other than toyota is the problem..but if I have to, I guess I will.

Yes, more specifically the additive package prevents rust. With your iron head motor the good old green antifreeze is just fine.