Well I started the Stang yesterday for the first time since Christmas. I let her warm up and then drove out of the garage and turned her around and backed into the garage so that I would have more room to work on the passenger side. Anyway, after this I noticed a little steam coming from around the radiator. I couldn't locate the exact spot but the steam was visible and I could hear a small hiss. There's no coolant leaking and the temp guage never got to the halfway point in the little time I had her running.

My question is do you think I should replace the radiator or would this be normal for such an old car? Should I just by some fluids to put in the cooling system such as "Stop Leak" or something comparable to maybe fix it? Is this reliable?

 

I had a similar problem,, and I just replaced the whole thing... If you have a reliable radiator shop nearby bring it in get them to pressure test it and see what he says.. if the rad is in good shape other than that little leak then get it fixed,, if you think you would be better off just getting a new one (170-400$) and the price of fixing it is pretty steep then,, just bite the bullet and get a new one,, preferably bigger than the one you have now,, . A new rad will ease your mind about your cooling system,, i know it eased mine..

 

If you can'nt find a leak where is the steam coming from. It mit just be the cap is bad, I would check that before I rip it out and send the money for a new one

 

I'm not understanding the problem. You say you see a stream and hear a hiss, but there is no coolant leaking. If you have coolant in the system, and the radiator is leaking, then you will see coolant where it is leaking. Don't use radiator stop leak, It is snake oil and may do more harm than good. Take the car to a rad shop and have it analyzed.

 

The steam seems to e coming from the fins where the actual hole is not visible. The was not much steam at all but I could hear and see it.

Thanks for the feedback on the fluids. Are there any recommendations as to what type of radiator? I was thinking that I would just go with an original 3 row (Were original 3 or 2 row). Where I live (Newfoundland) it doesn't get much more than 80 on the hottest day so I was thinking the 3 row would be fine and no need to go up from there to aluminum or anything unless it was for looks.

I should also take the opportunity to put in a coolant resvoir but all I've seen is the Stainless steel ones. What do others have for their resevoirs?

 

Original was a 2 row a 3 row is requmented since theses cars have alway had cooling problems. with the 3 row you will need new shroud brackets but they don't cost much

 

Yeah, if you live in Newfoundland, the 3 row will be just fine. For an overflow tank, I got mine at a parts store, but you could also go to a junk yard and just get one from a junker. No need to spend the big bucks for the pretty aluminum canisters. Hey, some guys even use Coke bottles.

 

Thanks guys for the help. I am thinking that the 3 row is a little thicker, but I hope not so thick that there are clearance problems with the fan. Everything under the hood is stock.

I'll check the locally to see what is available for the coolant tank.

 

My car is Overheating a lot, i think is time to change the radiator, can anyone recommend me a good radiator?

thanks

 

I agree with the Stop-Leak (the brand) but Preston has a liquid sealant I use every time I service a cooling system. It works on the PITA seeps you sometimew get.