First time installing radiator - Problem!

[Kdouglas89]

I just installed a brand new God Speed radiator yesterday, and finished buckling everything down this morning. The test drive went fine, and when I got back home I noticed it was dripping down under the radiator by the screwing cap. I tried tightening but it still kept on. The radiator seem't to be extremely hot. I then figured id be best to drain the coolant and to keep troubleshooting. As I began to unscrew, I could tell there was a lot of pressure because coolant was starting to spray out the sides. I stood back and did one final turn and the coolant came shooting out like a rocket from underneath the radiator.

I completely forgot to let the car idle with rad cap off to release the air, but would the air cause this much pressure and heat from a brand new radiator?

Thanks for any help!

 

[dsmcurse]

yes it would.

 

[95tsiawdAZ]

Anytime a car reaches operating temp the coolant will be under pressure. But you want to make sure to bleed the cooling system of air as well. As far as the leak I've seen several radiators do that. Check the oring on the drain plug and make sure it's getting a good seal.

 

[WES_393]

That pressure is from the hot coolant, not air in the system. That's why you should never open a radiator while it's hot.

Sounds like you just need a new radiator cap. A safety vent cap is like $7 at your local auto store.

 

[Kdouglas89]

Anytime a car reaches operating temp the coolant will be under pressure. But you want to make sure to bleed the cooling system of air as well. As far as the leak I've seen several radiators do that. Check the oring on the drain plug and make sure it's getting a good seal.

I will definitely check the O-ring when I get off my lazy butt, and go buy some coolant! I guess I could use water till I know its fixed instead of wasting coolant

That pressure is from the hot coolant, not air in the system. That's why you should never open a radiator while it's hot.

Sounds like you just need a new radiator cap. A safety vent cap is like $7 at your local auto store.

It is a brand new cap, like a month old. The pressure was coming from underneath the radiator on the little cap that unscrews to drain the coolant from the system.

 

[Archer Fabrications]

If you use water make sure its distilled and you use water wetter before you go driving around at all.

I had a god speed rad once. It was absolute shit. Just my opinion.

 

[eDeclpse92]

Like mentioned earlier, it's most likely the O-ring. Auto stores sell a kit that has a bunch of O-rings in it. Thats what I got. Comes in handy when other seals go bad and you have them right there to replace it! If it keeps leaking with a new ring, your surfaces may be bad or your O-ring is catching somewhere and is becoming disconfigured. That happened to mine from Mishimoto and I just doubled up the rings (sounds ghetto) because I didnt have a dremel or sabd paper to smooth out the surfaces. Hasn't leaked a drop of coolant since!

 

[mrmadsm]

did you remove the protectant caps on the two ends of the radiator? i have seen people forget to take one or both of them off and they went into the hose and prevented the coolant to flow