Kaptain Karl
Member
I have a 1930 AA truck. Runs great but over heats. Started it today, ran for 5 min. idle and steam started coming out the over flow pipe and the radiator cap. Is the radiator too full or thermostat issue? thanks Karl
Over heating AA
- Thread starter Kaptain Karl
- Start date
H. L. Chauvin
Well-known member
Easy Initial Radiator Test to "See" the Problem:
1. Allow water in radiator to cool.
2. Drain radiator. (If only water was used, report color of water & then proceed to Step 3 below; if antifreeze was used which colored clear water, go directly to step 3.
3. Fill radiator with:
a. First. about 4 tablespoons of Joy Dishwater Liquid, (or something similar); &,
b. Second, continue filling with only clear water.
4. Restart engine, run until you see steam, allow water to cool, drain again & report on color of water.
Most engines overheat because of dirty, clogged radiator tubes which are partially stopped up with engine rust & dirt embedded in grease from the water pump.
Many other articles under "Search" on overheating & radiators.
Each overheating issue could very easily be totally different.
1. Allow water in radiator to cool.
2. Drain radiator. (If only water was used, report color of water & then proceed to Step 3 below; if antifreeze was used which colored clear water, go directly to step 3.
3. Fill radiator with:
a. First. about 4 tablespoons of Joy Dishwater Liquid, (or something similar); &,
b. Second, continue filling with only clear water.
4. Restart engine, run until you see steam, allow water to cool, drain again & report on color of water.
Most engines overheat because of dirty, clogged radiator tubes which are partially stopped up with engine rust & dirt embedded in grease from the water pump.
Many other articles under "Search" on overheating & radiators.
Each overheating issue could very easily be totally different.
Kaptain Karl
Member
So if the fluid comes out dirty, the radiator needs to be cleaned
Kaptain Karl
Member
Will this process clean the radiator or does it need to be professionally done?
1931 flamingo
Well-known member
Before you start with the dish soap. Verify timing is set correctly. Fill w/water, start,look for bubbles in top of radiator= blown head gasket. A's did NOT originally come w t/stat's. Is waterpump turning??
Paul in CT
Paul in CT
H. L. Chauvin
Well-known member
Hi Karl,
Yes, a very simple vintage test, e.g., when adding a small amount of dish water liquid to clear water , if you have dirty, greasy dishes, the dish water will allow you to "see" what is going on & to prove that your dishes were not clean to begin with -- same with a radiator.
In my opinion, dish water liquid is just a mild initial test to "see" if a dirty radiator is part of the problem -- it usually is, that is unless you have a thermostat in your upper hose that is malfunctioning & is remaining closed.
If the radiator found to be dirty, don't know if you have some water based POR 15 Marine Clean sold by Snyder's, but if you do, I just cleaned my dirty greasy radiator & engine with Marine Clean as follows:
1. Add about 32 ounces, i.e., (1) quart of Marine Clean to a drained cooling system, i.e., radiator & drained engine; then fill with clear, clean water & allow engine to run until you see steam.
2. To get technical, get a watch & candy thermometer & place thermometer in the top of your radiator & time how long it takes to initially reach a certain temperature -- very scientific vintage way to monitor radiator cleaning progress.
3. Stop engine, allow to cool, place a white cotton sock over radiator drain tube to strain the Marine Clean/water solution, & allow strained solution to drain in a container. (Debris in white sock is also hi-tech vintage way to monitor progress).
4. Refill radiator with the same "strained" solution -- repeat steps 1. through 2. about three (3) times & each time measure progress with your watch, thermometer & a clean white sock.
5. I never took a radiator to a shop to have cleaned -- but this is just me.
6. Don't get Marine Clean splashed on your painted hood.
Worse case scenario could be:
A. Having to remove radiator, invert, & run pressured water from lower hose opening out through radiator cap opening to remove very large pieces of debris which cannot fit & drain through the small radiator tubes.
B. Having to increase percentage of Marine Clean.
C. Also, some radiators have been found to have coat(s) of heavy paint on outside of radiator reducing heat reduction which requires paint removal & repainting with special thin radiator paint like that sold by "Eastwood" or as recommended elsewhere on Model A forums.
Hope this helps -- just one way -- many other ways described under "Search".
Yes, a very simple vintage test, e.g., when adding a small amount of dish water liquid to clear water , if you have dirty, greasy dishes, the dish water will allow you to "see" what is going on & to prove that your dishes were not clean to begin with -- same with a radiator.
In my opinion, dish water liquid is just a mild initial test to "see" if a dirty radiator is part of the problem -- it usually is, that is unless you have a thermostat in your upper hose that is malfunctioning & is remaining closed.
If the radiator found to be dirty, don't know if you have some water based POR 15 Marine Clean sold by Snyder's, but if you do, I just cleaned my dirty greasy radiator & engine with Marine Clean as follows:
1. Add about 32 ounces, i.e., (1) quart of Marine Clean to a drained cooling system, i.e., radiator & drained engine; then fill with clear, clean water & allow engine to run until you see steam.
2. To get technical, get a watch & candy thermometer & place thermometer in the top of your radiator & time how long it takes to initially reach a certain temperature -- very scientific vintage way to monitor radiator cleaning progress.
3. Stop engine, allow to cool, place a white cotton sock over radiator drain tube to strain the Marine Clean/water solution, & allow strained solution to drain in a container. (Debris in white sock is also hi-tech vintage way to monitor progress).
4. Refill radiator with the same "strained" solution -- repeat steps 1. through 2. about three (3) times & each time measure progress with your watch, thermometer & a clean white sock.
5. I never took a radiator to a shop to have cleaned -- but this is just me.
6. Don't get Marine Clean splashed on your painted hood.
Worse case scenario could be:
A. Having to remove radiator, invert, & run pressured water from lower hose opening out through radiator cap opening to remove very large pieces of debris which cannot fit & drain through the small radiator tubes.
B. Having to increase percentage of Marine Clean.
C. Also, some radiators have been found to have coat(s) of heavy paint on outside of radiator reducing heat reduction which requires paint removal & repainting with special thin radiator paint like that sold by "Eastwood" or as recommended elsewhere on Model A forums.
Hope this helps -- just one way -- many other ways described under "Search".
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there is nothing in the after market treatments that will clean a clogged radiator, that has to be done at a radiator shop,, but first you need to know if its the radiator thats causing the problem, one way is to shoot an infrared heat gun at the rad, top and bottom, a good working radiator will read cooler at the bottom than the top, if the readings are very near the same bad radiator, if you dont have a heat gun, hold your hand at the top of the radiator tubes, should be hot at top, cooler at the bottom
Kaptain Karl
Member
I drained the anti freeze and about 1.5 gals came out. I then flushed the system with the soapy water and the water came out relatively clean. The truck also didn't overheat when the radiator was full. I think I did not have enough coolant in it , in turn it would overheat. Tomorrow I will be putting in 3 gallons of coolant and see what happens. Thank you for all your help, Karl
H. L. Chauvin
Well-known member
Hi Karl,
Many are far too proud to admit it as you just did; but throughout life, we "all" often overlook such simple things in life.
So few are man enough & humble enough to report back with such an educational simple finding.
Have nothing but profound respect for your honesty, integrity, & bravery.
At least you were wise enough to try simple things first, "investigate", & not overreact, rip it out, & haul it off to some radiator shop.
Great news!
Many are far too proud to admit it as you just did; but throughout life, we "all" often overlook such simple things in life.
So few are man enough & humble enough to report back with such an educational simple finding.
Have nothing but profound respect for your honesty, integrity, & bravery.
At least you were wise enough to try simple things first, "investigate", & not overreact, rip it out, & haul it off to some radiator shop.
Great news!
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
But, now the mystery is, did it overheat and blow out a gallon, or was it just not filled enough? 
Kaptain Karl
Member
I guess we will find out on Sat. Dum Dum Dum.. Let you know
H. L. Chauvin
Well-known member
Yes, another Model A mystery -- Wow!
Please don't keep us in suspense waiting until Saturday afternoon.
And, if you are going to get you antifreeze at Wal-Mart, just be careful if you pass by the aisle where they display motor oil -- the word is already out about Model A owners feeling around while blindfolded!!
Please don't keep us in suspense waiting until Saturday afternoon.
And, if you are going to get you antifreeze at Wal-Mart, just be careful if you pass by the aisle where they display motor oil -- the word is already out about Model A owners feeling around while blindfolded!!