| Grant | -- 04-13-2010 @ 7:25 AM |
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Lately I have been noticing that the coolant level in our '52 Ranch Wagon keeps slowly going down, sometimes as far as the bottom of the rad tank. There have been no obvious leaks or loose hose clamps. Yesterday, after driving five miles to our local WalMart, I noticed antifreeze dripping out of the rad's overflow tube down onto the pavement. There wasn't much, but I think that is probably where the missing coolant has been going. Do I need a better radiator cap? It looks like a new cap with a good strong spring and a fresh rubber gasket to press down tight on the filler neck might be the solution. Am I on the right track? Is a 3 lb. cap correct? Would anyone perhaps know a NAPA part number ? Maybe a faulty rad cap is not the issue ???? As always, your comments and recommendations are very much appreciated.
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| trjford8 | -- 04-13-2010 @ 8:02 AM |
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Grant, first check your oil to make sure the coolant in not going into the motor. Next check the radiator cap to make sure you are getting a good seal from the cap. Lastly has the radiator been cleaned or "rodded" so that the coolant moves freely through the radiator? If the radiator is partially plugged, coolant will build up in the top tank and go out the overflow. Normally you would use a 4lb to 7 lb cap on your radiator.
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| Grant | -- 04-13-2010 @ 9:02 AM |
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Thanks, trjford8. The rad was removed and cleaned two years ago when when my wife and I installed a rebuilt engine. If a new radiator cap does not resolve the problem, I will remove the rad again and check it. To what level should the tank on the radiator be filled ? I usually pour in antifreeze up to about one inch below the filler neck.
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| 39Fordfan | -- 04-13-2010 @ 9:59 AM |
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Hi Grant, I had two solutions to this problem. The first one was to take a plastic bottle at least a liter in size and secure it somewhere low near the radiator. Then take the radiator overflow tube and put it into the bottle, effectively making an overflow reservoir. It doesn't look original but it works. When the engine cools it draws the coolant back into the radiator. The second solution is to pressurize your system with Skip Haney's pressure Relief Valve. skip@fordsrus.com. Make sure your radiator cap is holding pressure properly. This valve will keep the coolant in your system where it belongs. I fill my radiator right up to the top. The only thing I have not liked about pressurizing the system is that my top hoses semi-collapse as the system cools down. Skip said the solution was to just top the coolant off. I've done this and it doesn't seem to help. It only happens on hot days, not all the time. It's possible I just need new hoses.
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| supereal | -- 04-13-2010 @ 10:09 AM |
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Constant loss of coolant is always a red flag. Losing from the overflow is usually a faulty or wrong cap, or a damaged radiator neck. A '52 doesn't need the overflow valve. The best way to locate a coolant leak that is hard to find is to use a pressure tester. It fits in place of the radiator cap, and allows pressure to be pumped up enough to find the leak. Any good shop should have one. Test for coolant in the oil by pulling the dipstick and holding a heat source under the tip. If it sizzles and/or pops, you have found where the coolant is going, and running the engine is a sure way to ruin the bearings. It is very possible you have a leaking head gasket.
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| Grant | -- 04-13-2010 @ 5:33 PM |
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Great information, gentlemen. Thank you. Phoning around this afternoon, I found a new 4 pound rad cap for sale at National Parts Depot in Canton Michigan which is across the border about 100 miles from here. It will be picked up tomorrow. For some reason none with pressure readings that low are available in this neck of the woods (lowest one was 12 pounds). I will let you know with an updated Forum posting if the rad cap was the problem. Our 1951 Meteor has an overflow bottle set-up, as suggested by 39Fordfan. It was installed by the previous owner who used components from a GM Tracker.There is no problem with coolant loss in that vehicle, even on the hottest summer days.
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| TomO | -- 04-14-2010 @ 7:44 AM |
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A coolant recovery system should not be required on your car. Your coolant loss is probably cased by caused by a worn out or wrong cap and foaming antifreeze. Modern cars run at a higher temperature and require a higher pressure to raise the boiling point of the coolant. I would switch to Sierra anti-freeze for your car. It does not foam as much as the popular brands and is less likely to damage your engine when a leak develops. You should have your cooling system pressure tested to see if there is a leak or if there is a pressure build up do to a leaking head gasket. Do this before you change antifreeze. Tom
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