The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Fiberous material in radiator???

I was out driving this morning and noticed that we were running about 30 degrees above normal. I wasn't far from home, so I got it back, let it cool off then popped the radiator cap. No fluid at all visible but I could see this white, fiberous, cotton looking material matted to the top of the core. I picked around at it a little with a wire and ended up pulling out this stringy wad of crap about the size of several cotton balls. There have been no signs of leakage in the garage or on the drive. I know it was full two weeks ago when I checked it before a real cold spell. I'm concerned about just filling it back up and driving again until I figure out what that stuff was that was in there. I guess my biggest concern would be if there is more of this stuff, what damage it might cause; plugging the radiator, getting lodged in the motor???

It is an original radiator and I don't know if it has been flushed or not.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

Spider webs?
DG

Well, after laughing a little that makes as much sense as anything I can think of. I do know the radiator had been sitting for a while before we got it.

Actually, this stuff looks a lot like the consistancy of a wad of "never dull" but I'm sitting here looking at it and there is definitely string in it too.

Sounds like a mouse nest surfaced. When storing a radiator the inlet and outlets should be plugged.

Is it possible a mouse at some time during the radiators storage had pulled it in as nesting material?
There's maybe a small skeleton being pumped round your engine too!
I do know they like the seat padding material.
Just a thought........

ttodd, I just think you beat me to it!

Yep, it does look like that's what it could be. Maybe I could fashion a small screen in there for a bit and see if I can't trap it as it circulates.

If it's in the upper tank, the worst it can do is clog up a few tubes- - - - -not likely to get debris back into the engine, etc. I'd suggest finding an oldtime radiator shop where somebody still knows how to take a soldered radiator apart, and get them to pull the top tank off and rod it out. The only guy I know in my area who still does that is a second-generation radiator man about my age. When he retires, I have no idea where I'll get the old stuff worked on!
Jerry

I picked up an AD radiator out of a junk yard a few years ago that had been sitting outside in the frame for many decades. The tank was almost full of nesting material and what looked like cherry pits. I assumed that mice or prarie dogs had nested in the tank and stored up food for the winter. I pulled out about a shoe box full of stuff and flushed it for a hour before I go everything out.
I'd take it into a radiator repair like Jerry mentioned and have them clean it out good. All us old timers are gonna be gone in not to many years Jerry, then the younger generation will have to fend for themselves.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

My truck had'nt run in twelve years. My radiator had dog food in it, that the mice put in there. Also when I got it running I got about a bowl full of dog food flying out the tail pipe. That was pretty funny.

Brian

I'd say you better check the head gasket if you got cooling system leaking into the combustion chamber Brian!

dg

I also vote for mouse nest. Those little devils can get in through the smallest holes. And you wouldn't believe the stuff they can carry in there!