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Radiator Level Over Time

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by mickeykelley, Jul 29, 2020.

  1. Jul 29, 2020
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    I had been noticing that during the summers, I slowly seem to loose fluid in the radiator which then leads to running hotter. I’ve looked for leaks and found none, I check for overflow drips but don’t see any. Then in general jeep reading on the web, I got sidetracked to reading about the series Rat Patrol which lead me to the SAS during the war. I saw a big metal barrel looking thing on the front bumper, which led me to learning they were water condensers. As I read more, they were to capture the stream that comes out so when the engine cools, it sucks that water back in, somewhat like what’s on modern cars. Then it dawned on me that must be what I’m experiencing, steam escaping. The radiator cap is new and appears to be working. After the rebuild, I got a new cap from Walcks and Carl said the standard is 7 psi. I see the FSM says 7 and 15. So for now, I check level and add periodically. Anyone else experience this? Should I move up to the 15?

    As a side note, Rat Patrol is what got me into GI Joes as a kid. In fact, I still have what’s left of my jeep and other items. They were definitely well played with. Still have very fond memories of those days.
     
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  2. Jul 29, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Define "periodically," and how much fluid? When I was a baby jeeper it was still standard practice to check and top off car radiators routinely, just like oil and tire pressure.

    That said, be sure you are leaving enough air space for fluid expansion, maybe as much as 2", or else the excess will just get pushed out each time you drive. If that were the case, I'd expect the level to stabilize after a couple of cycles.

    But if you continue to steadily lose fluid, in significantly short periods of time, that would indicate another issue, such as a head gasket leak. I doubt that steam otherwise escaping though the cap is an issue in a healthy engine.

    But I don't worry when I add a little to my f-head from time to time, or any other vintage vehicle. It's how we tell them that we love them.

    A 15# psi cap just raises the boiling point temperature of the system, if you were operating in extreme heat conditions. If you are not boiling over, I don't see an advantage.
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2020
  3. Jul 29, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    This is certainly something that doesn't have a one size fits all answer. I don't think I've ever had a vehicle that at some point didn't need a little bit of topping off, whether it be directly in the radiator or the overflow container.
     
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  4. Jul 29, 2020
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    Very common on vehicles with no recovery system. If yours is not a period correct original or restoration a recovery bottle can be added assuming your radiator neck has a nipple. Iirc it should as there was whose that ran from there down the side of the radiator to expel overflow from overheating on the ground. There are aftermarket options but one can be made easy enough. I made one out of an aluminum water bottle and added a sight/level tube so I can check it at a glance.
     
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  5. Jul 29, 2020
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

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    Yes you can add a "control bottle" as on new cars. Engines are hot, water becomes vapor. Water must be just over the tubes inside the radiator, no more. When there is no water just above the pipes, you add some, mainly when hot weather.
    And, well, when an engine is worn, it becomes too hot ... I have a temp gauge on my dash. This is useful (from Willys army).
     
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  6. Jul 29, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    For self-activing recovery, I think perhaps it also it requires a two-stage radiator cap that will allow suction return on the overflow nipple when cooling.
     
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  7. Jul 29, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    It's not a hermetically sealed system, so I'd expect some evaporation over time. Even with a recovery bottle, air is forced out as the coolant heats, and taken in as it cools. And even in a covered bottle, there will be some evaporation.
     
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  8. Jul 29, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

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    My curiosity told me to ask if the climate makes any difference in evaporation with a recovery bottle. I'm used to good old high humidity Florida. How about desert type conditions? Different or not?
     
  9. Jul 29, 2020
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    I have not tested the exact amounts, etc., as my driving Willie is very spuratic, especially during hot summers like now. What I do notice is that when at a 40-45 mph cruise to get anywhere, it runs a bit hotter than normal but does go back down when going slower. But sometimes it’s a little hotter than normal so when it cools down I add a little and next time not quite as hot at 45. I know all these gauges are not consistent between jeeps. I have checked it with a laser and it’s at the 200-205 range during these times at 45 even with a 180 unit in it. I’ve been seriously considering adding an actual reading gauge in addition to the factory and putting it on a hing or something under the dash so if I want to see a better number I can, but fold it away so not visible most of the time.
     
  10. Jul 29, 2020
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    Glenn likes this.
  11. Jul 29, 2020
    scoutpilot

    scoutpilot Member

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    What motor?
     
  12. Jul 29, 2020
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    Those 6 guys sitting in the Jeeps look like they could eat a block of steel and spit out nails!
     
  13. Jul 29, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    They would have to look that way to be sitting in the middle of 90ish gallons of un-armored gasoline while being shot at. Yikes.
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2020
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  14. Jul 29, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    There are two temperatures that matter... boiling, and not boiling.
     
  15. Jul 29, 2020
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    F134
     
  16. Jul 29, 2020
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    if you go to the bottom, there is an arrow which takes you to the European theater SAS where I read they did away with all the jerry cans and went with a self sealing tanks mounted on the back fender wells.

    SAS European Jeep
     
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  17. Jul 29, 2020
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

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    So you’re saying that someone using their vehicle in a climate with 25* to 85* on average does not have different parameters than someone using their vehicle in 45* to 120*?
     
  18. Jul 29, 2020
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Is your belt on tight? Fan belt that is.

    I would like to know what thermostat is in use: specifically make and style.
    Condition of radiator and block. With my f-head it seemed to really benefit from a good back flush. I thought this jeep just got a heater this year so is this a new condition since the heater install maybe not entirely burped of air on install?
     
  19. Jul 29, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

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    :lol:
     
  20. Jul 29, 2020
    Steve's 70-5

    Steve's 70-5 Active Member

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    I got a V-6 in my Jeep with a plastic recovery bottle. What little I have run the engine, I notice at shut down the recovery bottle is full as the engine cools the bottle empties.
     
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