Super weird radiator problem *PIC*
#1
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Super weird radiator problem *PIC*
So last week I was driving to get some items for my girlfriend and all of the sudden smoke starts pouring out from under my hood. Temp gauge shot all the way up, engine "dieseled" and cold air was coming out of the vents. I pull over to the side of the road and pop the hood expecting the worst - I had a Dodge Shadow (shudder) that blew the head gasket in the middle of winter. Not fun.
Here is what I saw: a hole in the radiator.
Anybody seen anything or heard of anything like this before?
-JNeezy
Here is what I saw: a hole in the radiator.
Anybody seen anything or heard of anything like this before?
-JNeezy
Last edited by JNeezy; 10-26-11 at 08:16 PM. Reason: User error
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First off I'm no pro and i could be wrong. Is there any traces of coolant in oil dip stick?if milky looking could be a blown head gasket causing too much pressure in radiator. Or bad thermostat that was getting stuck. Could be other things as well. Hope any of this helps.
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95 LS400. There is no trace of coolant in the oil. For a couple of days before it would blow cold air, then the temp gauge would climb and the system would "burp" and then it would blow hot air for a little while. Then back to cold air. I opened the bleed screw and added coolant through the housing.
#5
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Check Transmission Fluid. If i am Correct the LS Has a Transmission cooler in the Radiator through Oil Lines connecting into the Radiator. Ive only Seen this is Chevy's when the Inner Most tank inside the Radiator Allows Transmission Fluid to get into the Cooling System.
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Check Transmission Fluid. If i am Correct the LS Has a Transmission cooler in the Radiator through Oil Lines connecting into the Radiator. Ive only Seen this is Chevy's when the Inner Most tank inside the Radiator Allows Transmission Fluid to get into the Cooling System.
-JNeezy
#7
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I had a 92 es300 and got my radiator change. I watch the man change it (thats how i learn how to do things) and i ask him about the pipes at the bottom of the radiator and the said thats for the transmission to keep it cool and it don't mix with the coolant. I guessing its the same idea with the ls400 . So if your coolant mixing with the transmission you got a problem
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#8
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That is Correct. The Inner Tank in the Radiator (Depending if its run mostly with water) its worn down and causes the tank to burst mixing the Transmission Fluid with the Coolant.
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Thanks,
-JNeezy
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I Dont think it will Cause any Problems with the Head Gaskets. You will just need to do a Super Flush and Clean the System Really really good making sure no Trans Fluid is left in the System. After its Completely clean Fill up with the Correct Anti Freeze and you should be Golden.
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I Dont think it will Cause any Problems with the Head Gaskets. You will just need to do a Super Flush and Clean the System Really really good making sure no Trans Fluid is left in the System. After its Completely clean Fill up with the Correct Anti Freeze and you should be Golden.
#12
If you filled it through the bleed screw it could an be air pocket, its not good if you get an air pocket that is stuck and cant escape. the air will heat and expand faster than the water will. if its stuck in the same spot it ganna force its way out. if there is was a spot there where the top of the radiator was damaged but not noticeably . It could just break through there.
#13
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It's probably just old plastic giving way. If you're unlucky it's due to the system being overpressurized by a blown headgasket or bad overflow tank cap, but usually a hose gives way first when that happens.
The milky coolant is a concern, but there's not much to do besides swap it out and take a look at the transmission fluid for contamination.
The milky coolant is a concern, but there's not much to do besides swap it out and take a look at the transmission fluid for contamination.
#14
It happened to my son in his 1994 ES 300 while on the highway. Same milky residue blown all over the engine compartment. Result was a damaged engine. We don't know what caused the radiator to fail. Hopefully you got the car turned off and saved the engine. His trans was okay.