The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Radiator overflow

I just returned from having my 1940 3/4 ton truck inspected at a local garage. WHen I got in the truck to come home the temperature guage was spiked. Driving home I thought the cab smelled hot (If you know what I mean) but the temperature guage dropped as soon as I got out on the road. After I pulled into the driveway (10 mile ride) the radiator spewed coolant for a minute or two and then stopped.

I don't know if the garage added water or if I have a problem brewing. I can't see the water level after removing the cap, so it looks like it is lower than it should be.

Any advice before I put the truck away for the winter.

At the very least I will top up the radiator with a 50/50 mix.

Bill,

Could the garage have let the truck sit and idle for an extended period of time in an effort to check something.

Maybe they lost track of it and it overheated just sitting, you showed up and got the results of there mistake.

If it cooled off as you drove, the cooling system is operating properly. I would fill the radiator to the proper level with your anti-freeze cocktail, take it for a drive that will bring it up to temp and verify all is well before I put it in mothballs for the winter.

My guess is that all is fine.

Stuart

Stuart,

I'm going to fill it up and take it for a spin. I need to get the gas stabilizer through the system anyhow. That should get it up to temp and I can bring it back and see how it looks.

Thanks,

Check the waterpump for slop. Sometimes the pump can suck air and not leak water, resulting in water overflow. Also, the engines do heat the water in the block considerably when shut down after a drive. Do you have a pressure cap? Are you using a thermostat? Lack of either can allow large bubbles to form in the cooling system and give localized boiling in the engine, even though the gauge doesn't see it.