HELP NEEDED URGENT Radiator issues
 

Okay I am not very mechanically literate so please bear with me. I am trying to get my son's 2000 Blazer running. It has been overheating so we have replaced thermostat, radiator cap, flushed radiator and now replaced water pump. Okay so we thought we were good to go and after putting it back together when replacing the water pump we started to hear water leaking. It seems to be coming from the drivers side corner of the radiator. there is something at the bottom that looks sort of like a strainer you would put in a drain that I believe it is leaking from. Anybody have any suggestions or ideas?? Also do these have two radiators??? When we took the shroud off we noticed there were 2??? Help I need to get this dang thing fixed before he drives me crazy or broke or both.

RE: Radiator issues
 

Well the main radiator at least on mine is engine coolant, tranny fluid, and engine oil. There is an A/C "radiator" in front of the engine radiator. As for the strainer im not sure.

RE: Radiator issues
 

Okay that makes sense, I guess :) I just don't want to have to replace the entire radiator if I don't need to already have spent a fortune on water pump, antifreeze, etc but I need to get it running.

RE: Radiator issues
 

Do you have coolant leaking out of the radiator onto the ground?? Did you replace the upper and/or lower radiator hoses when you replaced the water pump? Is it possible that coolant is leaking from the connection to the radiator hose at either end (radiator or waterpump)?

Sorry for the barrage of questions, but the details help to narrow down the proper course of action in getting your son's truck back on the road.

Also, when bleeding the air out of the cooling system, you should elevate the front of the truck with the passenger side slightly higher than the driver's side. Run the truck up to operating temperature with the radiator cap off, then allow it to cool down, adding coolant as necessary during the process. Repeat as necessary until you get the system full. While the truck is running and up to operating temperature, it is sometimes good to rev the engine a bit to increase the flow of coolant in the block which can help in getting the air out.

On last thing... Replace the radiator cap. Stant's safety cap is a very good replacement. The stock caps can be problematic and can cause all kinds of issues.

RE: Radiator issues
 

No we did not change the hoses, but we checked and did not see any water leaking from either one. We have not bleed the air out though, I have never heard of bleeding the air out of the cooling system. And yes we have already replaced the radiator cap with the Stant's. It didn't start leaking until we got it almost full, maybe it is the hose to the top of the driver's side on the radiator since it didn't start leaking until it was almost full. So do you suggest that I get a new hose for there and try bleeding it and see what happens??

RE: Radiator issues
 

You really need to determine where the leak is coming from. Just throwing parts at a problem is a sure fire way to fix things, yes, but your wallet won't like the end result when the bills come in.

New hoses and clamps are always a good idea though. The truck is 8 years old.

RE: Radiator issues
 

Okay well I guess we will try to see tonight where it is coming from, if all else fails we will remove the radiator and see if it has a hole, if not then lord only knows, guess we will sell it!!!!

RE: Radiator issues
 

Oh dear... A coolant leak is not something to sell the vehicle over... Not to mention the fact that you would likely stand to lose more money selling a vehicle with a leak than if you were just to repair the failed component...

RE: Radiator issues
 

:) I know I have just been working on it for over a week now trying to get it up and running, brakes, calipers, mounting bracket, thermostat, radiator cap, battery, headlights, water pump, etc etc We will do some more hunting tonight to see what is wrong, thank you for all your help, I never knew about the bleeding air though, I learned something new

RE: Radiator issues
 

Okay we did some more digging and the neck that the top hose connects to was split and after removing the hose the entire piece fell off. So needless to say we have purchased a new radiator and are going to install it tonight. Let hope that is all :)