>Hey again,
>
>Last fall before we stored our GMC I flushed and filled the radiator
>with fresh fluid. I took it for a short drive after doing this and
>notices some fluid had been ejected from the system when I stopped.
>I didn't think much of it until yesterday. When I drove the GMC
>home from storage a noticed the "Engine Water" dash light. I added
>fluid when I got home and the light went out. Later we took another
>short trip (10-20 miles) and when we got home again some fluid was
>released from the system, I am guessing it was much less than a
>gallon. Later we went for another short trip (ice cream run) and
>the "Engine Water" dash light was lit again but it only stayed on
>for a few minutes?
>
>The temp gauge for the engine never got much more than a hair above 1/4.
>
>Any clues on this one. I am planning a new radiator cap but have
>not located one locally yet.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Chris Taylor
>76 PB
>Rochester, MN
Chris - first, pull out your original temperature sender unit
(located on front top drivers side of engine with a single wire
cliped to the top). The original sender showed 225 deg at 1/4 and
250 deg at 1/2. If it gets to 1/2 you are probably boiling out your
coolant. Go to NAPA and buy a TS6469 sender. This will show 1/4 at
180 deg and 1/2 at 215 deg. Apparently GM used the wrong sender.
Don't know their reasons but for years GMCers have been replacing the
original.
It sounds as aif you definitely have a leak. You should borrow a
radiator pressure tester. I think that AutoZone has them in their
group of "loaner" tools. Fill your radiator, put the pressure tester
on and pump it up to the level shown for a 9 pound pressure cap.
Look at all hoses to make sure that none are dripping. Its not
uncommon to find a heater hose, radiator hose or even a small leak
from a radiator tube. A small drip will take a pressurized system
down a gallon in no time.
If you were in NM instead of MN, I'd loan you my tester.
Also use this tester to test your radiator cap. If it more than 1 to
2 years old it'll be bad and not hold pressure.
Replace it with the original AC/Delco 9 pound cap. Check Gene
Fisher's site for the part number.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM
Emery
>
>Last fall before we stored our GMC I flushed and filled the radiator
>with fresh fluid. I took it for a short drive after doing this and
>notices some fluid had been ejected from the system when I stopped.
>I didn't think much of it until yesterday. When I drove the GMC
>home from storage a noticed the "Engine Water" dash light. I added
>fluid when I got home and the light went out. Later we took another
>short trip (10-20 miles) and when we got home again some fluid was
>released from the system, I am guessing it was much less than a
>gallon. Later we went for another short trip (ice cream run) and
>the "Engine Water" dash light was lit again but it only stayed on
>for a few minutes?
>
>The temp gauge for the engine never got much more than a hair above 1/4.
>
>Any clues on this one. I am planning a new radiator cap but have
>not located one locally yet.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Chris Taylor
>76 PB
>Rochester, MN
Chris - first, pull out your original temperature sender unit
(located on front top drivers side of engine with a single wire
cliped to the top). The original sender showed 225 deg at 1/4 and
250 deg at 1/2. If it gets to 1/2 you are probably boiling out your
coolant. Go to NAPA and buy a TS6469 sender. This will show 1/4 at
180 deg and 1/2 at 215 deg. Apparently GM used the wrong sender.
Don't know their reasons but for years GMCers have been replacing the
original.
It sounds as aif you definitely have a leak. You should borrow a
radiator pressure tester. I think that AutoZone has them in their
group of "loaner" tools. Fill your radiator, put the pressure tester
on and pump it up to the level shown for a 9 pound pressure cap.
Look at all hoses to make sure that none are dripping. Its not
uncommon to find a heater hose, radiator hose or even a small leak
from a radiator tube. A small drip will take a pressurized system
down a gallon in no time.
If you were in NM instead of MN, I'd loan you my tester.
Also use this tester to test your radiator cap. If it more than 1 to
2 years old it'll be bad and not hold pressure.
Replace it with the original AC/Delco 9 pound cap. Check Gene
Fisher's site for the part number.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM
Emery
