Radiator/Tranny

[jim d.]

In a previous post i had mentioned that when we first start up the coach on the mornings to head out from where ever we are the tranny "slips" going
into first gear. It's pretty much every morning at this point. When we first started our trip 4 months ago this wasn't a thing. We would fire the
coach up in the morning and hit the road with no hesitation from the transmission. Now it's more consistent even when starting the rig up if I let it
sit going into the grocery store. Once we are driving there hasn't been any issue with it shifting but I'm not sure what the problem is.
Which brings me to my other issue, pin hole leak in the top of the radiator, fortunately it's high enough up where it doesn't drain the radiator. I
used some bars leak to stop it from pissing out of the top as a temporary fix and yes I know bars leak is not the ideal situation but I needed
something and we were in the middle of the desert. Now we are out of the desert and on the other side of the mountains just outside San Diego in El
Cajon at the casino.
I'm wondering if anyone in the area knows a good place to scoop up a new radiator and maybe somewhere to repair it. We still have a lot of traveling
we plan doing and I don't want either one problem to linger that long.
I'm digging out our original manual to see if it leads me to any answers but my copy is a little worse for wear and I don't want to miss anything.
Thanks for any info/help guys and gals.
Jim D
--
Jim DeMellia and Jen Radefeld and our cat Ickis
NH natives
1975 GMC “Palm Beach” ,455, her names Linda
Full time RVers exploring the beautiful and unusual parts of the country.

 

[wayne rogewski]

Id check the fluid level in the trans, Just to make sure its full and not low a pint or so. If thats not the issue, Id give Manny a call in San
Jose. Hes about 450 miles away, but thats a solid phone call to make. Or Jim K as hes somewhat close out there as well. Both can get you a rebuild
if needed or help troubleshoot.

Get rid of the old coolant and bars leak as fast as you can. Flush the system out as best you can. If its a small leak Id try some good old fashion
JB Weld. Provided the hole is not in one of the cooling tubes.

Jim K has radiators if you need those too. your arguably in a decent spot as far as distance to get good parts and good help.
--
77 Royale, Rear Dry Bath. 403, 3.55 Final Drive, Lenzi goodies, Patterson carb and dizzy.
Mid Michigan

 

[scott nutter1]

Jim,
If it was me I would upgrade it to the aluminum radiator.
But if not, I would take it to Ronnie's radiator in Escondido. I can't tell you who is good in Chula Vista because that's where most of the rapist
live.
But your close to spring valley. Yelp it. More reputable shops there. And good luck......
I'll be back there on the 24th if you need any help.
Scott.
--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi.
Houston, Texas

 

[Bob Dunahugh]

Sounds like your tranny is at the end of it's rope. I'm not big on liquid mechanics. But some Trans X from Auto Zone just might get you home before it's totally dead. Mike Kelly can tell you about this idea. Bob Dunahugh

 

[Ken B]

I'm not sure exactly where your leak is but if it is where you can get to it then it can be easily repaired with some Plumbers Putty. I have tried
lots of other things on the road including soldering and this worked by far the best.

I'm talking about the 2 part epoxy putty available at most any hardware store, building store like Home Depot, or Walmart. I have a tube of it
sitting on the dash of my Blazer right now.

https://www.lowes.com/pl/Epoxy-putty-Glues-Glues-tapes/4294417395

Make sure the radiator level is below the leak. Then use brake cleaner to clean it up good. Mix the putty and pack it in. It cures with heat so let
it sit for a while to cure before adding fluid again. I would leave the cap loose for a while to prevent pressure build up while the engine heat sets
it to final cure.

I cut out an entire piece of tube once and fixed the tube ends with epoxy putty.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

 

[dave stragand1]

I have had great luck with a product called Trans-X, which fixed that exact issue on several of our antique cars. It may take up to 509 miles to work.

Just add it to the trans fluid, being careful not to overfill. It’s only like $6 so if it doesn’t work, you aren’t out much, but it should buy you some time before a rebuild. For our ‘58 Plymouth, it has bought us 23 years so far.

Dave
1978 Transmode
Near Pittsburgh

 

[terry1]

The Lucas transmission fix has worked well for me on 4 out of 5 automatics that were exhibiting strange behavior, slipping, and reluctant shifting
when cold. The fifth tranny could not be helped externally It also works very well in power steering systems. Best way to do it is drain the
current fluid and replace with new and substitute the additive for some fluid so the level is correct. Overfilling can cause foam in transmissions
which will cause all sorts of erratic behavior after the air gets into the fluid circuits.
--
Terry Kelpien

ASE Master Technician

73 Glacier 260

Smithfield, Va.

 

[Carl Stouffer]

MGM GMC is in So-Cal:

MGM-GMC
Miguel Mendez
5179 Brooks St, Unit G
Montclair, CA 91763.
909-982-7747 C909-229-7508

Miguel should be able to help with any issues you may be having.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member

 

[jim d.]

Thanks guys. Going to drive a bit today to get everything to operating temperature and check the fluids. Need to find a nice flat spot to do so.
JimD

Sent from my iPhone

>
> MGM GMC is in So-Cal:
>
> MGM-GMC
> Miguel Mendez
> 5179 Brooks St, Unit G
> Montclair, CA 91763.
> 909-982-7747 C909-229-7508
>
> Miguel should be able to help with any issues you may be having.
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

 

[Bob Dunahugh]

A stop leak is something that should be carried in all our GMC's. Saved me once with a heater core leak. Replaced the core when we got home.

If you yourself paid for a trans rebuild. Thus know the true history. Fine. But if that's not the case. Or the PO told you a trans rebuild was done. I'd have a can of Trans X in my GMC. The trans that we are using now was from our burned GMC. It now has about 31000 miles on it. I still have a can with me anyway. $6 may beat a chance of a hook. Bob Dunahugh

________________________________
From: Bob Dunahugh
Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2018 12:01 AM
To: gmclist
Subject: RE: Radiator/Tranny

Sounds like your tranny is at the end of it's rope. I'm not big on liquid mechanics. But some Trans X from Auto Zone just might get you home before it's totally dead. Mike Kelly can tell you about this idea. Bob Dunahugh

 

[john phillips]

I have been told that ground black pepper can be used in an emergency for
stop leak.

> A stop leak is something that should be carried in all our GMC's. Saved
> me once with a heater core leak. Replaced the core when we got home.
>
> If you yourself paid for a trans rebuild. Thus know the true history.
> Fine. But if that's not the case. Or the PO told you a trans rebuild was
> done. I'd have a can of Trans X in my GMC. The trans that we are using
> now was from our burned GMC. It now has about 31000 miles on it. I still
> have a can with me anyway. $6 may beat a chance of a hook. Bob Dunahugh
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Bob Dunahugh
> Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2018 12:01 AM
> To: gmclist
> Subject: RE: Radiator/Tranny
>
>
> Sounds like your tranny is at the end of it's rope. I'm not big on liquid
> mechanics. But some Trans X from Auto Zone just might get you home before
> it's totally dead. Mike Kelly can tell you about this idea. Bob Dunahugh
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--

*John Phillips*

 

[Ken H.]

I'm not a big fan of add-on "snake-oil", but I must admit to one very
dramatic demonstration of radiator stop-leak's effectiveness: Many years
ago, probably '99 or so, Jim Bounds drove my GMC a mile or two to check it
before doing wheel alignment. When we returned to the shop, there was a
steady stream of water shooting out of the lower portion of the radiator
where some road debris had hit and punctured the core. He sent a runner to
the parts store for a can of Barr's StopLeak, which he poured into the
radiator. Within a few minutes the leak stopped. I never had any leakage
from that radiator again before replacing with an aluminum one 10+ years
later! Honest Injun!

Ken H.

> A stop leak is something that should be carried in all our GMC's. Saved
> me once with a heater core leak. Replaced the core when we got home.
>
> If you yourself paid for a trans rebuild. Thus know the true history.
> Fine. But if that's not the case. Or the PO told you a trans rebuild was
> done. I'd have a can of Trans X in my GMC. The trans that we are using
> now was from our burned GMC. It now has about 31000 miles on it. I still
> have a can with me anyway. $6 may beat a chance of a hook. Bob Dunahugh
>
>

 

[Irish Rogue]

To John P.:
Yea - but your radiator will never taste the same - Ha!
Mike/The Corvair a holic

Sent from my iPhone

>
> I have been told that ground black pepper can be used in an emergency for
> stop leak.
>

>>
>> A stop leak is something that should be carried in all our GMC's. Saved
>> me once with a heater core leak. Replaced the core when we got home.
>>
>> If you yourself paid for a trans rebuild. Thus know the true history.
>> Fine. But if that's not the case. Or the PO told you a trans rebuild was
>> done. I'd have a can of Trans X in my GMC. The trans that we are using
>> now was from our burned GMC. It now has about 31000 miles on it. I still
>> have a can with me anyway. $6 may beat a chance of a hook. Bob Dunahugh
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Bob Dunahugh
>> Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2018 12:01 AM
>> To: gmclist
>> Subject: RE: Radiator/Tranny
>>
>>
>> Sounds like your tranny is at the end of it's rope. I'm not big on liquid
>> mechanics. But some Trans X from Auto Zone just might get you home before
>> it's totally dead. Mike Kelly can tell you about this idea. Bob Dunahugh
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>
>
>
> --
>
> *John Phillips*
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

 

[Bob Dunahugh]

I have a jar of Barr's stop leak in our GMC. I put the entire contents in the time I used it. It stopped a fairly large leak. Got me home. As to the Trans X. Again the entire contents. I've seen Trans X get 4 GMC's home. With one other GMC. Didn't help. $6, and a few hours of messing with it. Cheep way to maybe get back home. I've never seen it work in under an hour. One took a day. Also seen it work for years after installing. I agree with Ken Henderson. Most of these kind of products are just snake oil. Bob Dunahugh

________________________________
From: Bob Dunahugh
Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2018 12:58 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: RE: Radiator/Tranny

A stop leak is something that should be carried in all our GMC's. Saved me once with a heater core leak. Replaced the core when we got home.

If you yourself paid for a trans rebuild. Thus know the true history. Fine. But if that's not the case. Or the PO told you a trans rebuild was done. I'd have a can of Trans X in my GMC. The trans that we are using now was from our burned GMC. It now has about 31000 miles on it. I still have a can with me anyway. $6 may beat a chance of a hook. Bob Dunahugh

________________________________
From: Bob Dunahugh
Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2018 12:01 AM
To: gmclist
Subject: RE: Radiator/Tranny

Sounds like your tranny is at the end of it's rope. I'm not big on liquid mechanics. But some Trans X from Auto Zone just might get you home before it's totally dead. Mike Kelly can tell you about this idea. Bob Dunahugh

 

[john r. lebetski]

Hopefully you know that the engine must be running in park to check trans fluid level. Otherwise if will read high and be underfilled in reality. That
said it could be simple like a torn O ring on the filter tube causing your morning sickness. Or someone installed a Chinese filter where tube size is
wrong and they suck air. Don't panic about Bars Leak. I keep it installed to prevent road side break downs if used as dirrected. What is important is
to drain and refill Ethylene Glycol coolant every 2 years.

--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II

 

[jim d.]

So we got parked for the night in Bonita,California. Put the rig in park while it was running, got the coach as level as I could so as to not skew the dipsticks to much. Added a 1/2qt of oil which is pretty normal for the miles we’ve put on. Topped the coolant off. Checked the tranny fluid and it said it was below at least a pint. So I put a pint of TransX in and let it settle in there and it read full but I’m a little skeptical. The dipstick read really low when I first checked. I buttoned it all up and will check it in the morning again when we head out. Maybe on a little leveler ground will give me a better reading. As for the bars leak. I haven’t had any leaks since adding it to the system. I’ll keep an eye on the radiator for any future leaks until we can get the funds together to change the parts out. We’re still on a budget with this trip if we plan on making it last.
Thanks everyone
JimD

Sent from my iPhone

>
> Hopefully you know that the engine must be running in park to check trans fluid level. Otherwise if will read high and be underfilled in reality. That
> said it could be simple like a torn O ring on the filter tube causing your morning sickness. Or someone installed a Chinese filter where tube size is
> wrong and they suck air. Don't panic about Bars Leak. I keep it installed to prevent road side break downs if used as dirrected. What is important is
> to drain and refill Ethylene Glycol coolant every 2 years.
>
> --
> John Lebetski
> Woodstock, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

 

[emerystora]

Don’t use a stop leak that is in an oil base. Barrs and others sell that. The oil can interfere with the antifoam additives in antifreeze. So be sure to use a dry powder.

General Motors, for over at least the last 70 years has put stop leak powder into their vehicles as a preventative measure. They use ground up ginger root. There used to be a Vernor’s Ginger Ale factory in Detroit. Someone found that ground up ginger root would seal up small leaks but not harm the water pump or other internal engine parts. You can buy that stop leak in pellets about 1” in diameter and 1/2” thick. Usually in the plastic bubble packs at the parts store.

GM would put two pellets into a V-8 and one into a six cylinder on the assembly line.and
They are sold under the AC/Delco label and also other brands. Here is a picture on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=stop+leak+pellets https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=stop+leak+pellets

Back in the 70’s both DuPont with their Xerex antifreeze and Dow Chemical’s antifreeze advertised and sold jugs with stop leak already in the antifreeze. DuPont used tiny styrene plastic pellets (which were made by Dow as water softener resin) and Dow used ginger root powder.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> I have a jar of Barr's stop leak in our GMC. I put the entire contents in the time I used it. It stopped a fairly large leak. Got me home. As to the Trans X. Again the entire contents. I've seen Trans X get 4 GMC's home. With one other GMC. Didn't help. $6, and a few hours of messing with it. Cheep way to maybe get back home. I've never seen it work in under an hour. One took a day. Also seen it work for years after installing. I agree with Ken Henderson. Most of these kind of products are just snake oil. Bob Dunahugh
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Bob Dunahugh
> Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2018 12:58 PM
> To: gmclist
> Subject: RE: Radiator/Tranny
>
>
> A stop leak is something that should be carried in all our GMC's. Saved me once with a heater core leak. Replaced the core when we got home.
>
> If you yourself paid for a trans rebuild. Thus know the true history. Fine. But if that's not the case. Or the PO told you a trans rebuild was done. I'd have a can of Trans X in my GMC. The trans that we are using now was from our burned GMC. It now has about 31000 miles on it. I still have a can with me anyway. $6 may beat a chance of a hook. Bob Dunahugh
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Bob Dunahugh
> Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2018 12:01 AM
> To: gmclist
> Subject: RE: Radiator/Tranny
>
>
> Sounds like your tranny is at the end of it's rope. I'm not big on liquid mechanics. But some Trans X from Auto Zone just might get you home before it's totally dead. Mike Kelly can tell you about this idea. Bob Dunahugh
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

 

[Matt Colie]

> Don't use a stop leak that is in an oil base. Barrs and others sell that. The oil can interfere with the antifoam additives in antifreeze. So
> be sure to use a dry powder.
>
> General Motors, for over at least the last 70 years has put stop leak powder into their vehicles as a preventative measure. They use ground up
> ginger root. There used to be a Vernor's Ginger Ale factory in Detroit. Someone found that ground up ginger root would seal up small leaks but not
> harm the water pump or other internal engine parts. You can buy that stop leak in pellets about 1" in diameter and 1/2" thick. Usually in the
> plastic bubble packs at the parts store.
>
> GM would put two pellets into a V-8 and one into a six cylinder on the assembly line.and
> They are sold under the AC/Delco label and also other brands. Here is a picture on Amazon:
> https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=stop+leak+pellets
>
> Back in the 70's both DuPont with their Xerex antifreeze and Dow Chemical's antifreeze advertised and sold jugs with stop leak already in the
> antifreeze. DuPont used tiny styrene plastic pellets (which were made by Dow as water softener resin) and Dow used ginger root powder.
>
> Emery Stora
> 77 Kingsley
> Frederick, CO

Just so you know not to waste the time and effort, Blackstone reported that our engine had coolant in the lube oil. As soon as I saw that, I when on
the offensive and both monitored coolant loss and did lube oil changes regularly. I was still unsure, so I borrowed a cooling system tester and put
pressure on the cold system for a day. It did lose some, but not a lot. So, I loaded (I do mean loaded) with the Barrs Leak pellets. the next three
changes still showed coolant present.

I case you weren't reading a few days ago, when I got the intake off, there was a visible leak path.....

Matt

--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit

 

[sgltrac]

Emery, would you please site more source data points as I am not sure I
believe u.


Sully
77 eleganza 2
Bellevue

> > Don't use a stop leak that is in an oil base. Barrs and others sell
> that. The oil can interfere with the antifoam additives in antifreeze. So
> > be sure to use a dry powder.
> >
> > General Motors, for over at least the last 70 years has put stop leak
> powder into their vehicles as a preventative measure. They use ground up
> > ginger root. There used to be a Vernor's Ginger Ale factory in
> Detroit. Someone found that ground up ginger root would seal up small
> leaks but not
> > harm the water pump or other internal engine parts. You can buy that
> stop leak in pellets about 1" in diameter and 1/2" thick. Usually in the
> > plastic bubble packs at the parts store.
> >
> > GM would put two pellets into a V-8 and one into a six cylinder on the
> assembly line.and
> > They are sold under the AC/Delco label and also other brands. Here is a
> picture on Amazon:
> >
> https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=stop+leak+pellets
> >
> > Back in the 70's both DuPont with their Xerex antifreeze and Dow
> Chemical's antifreeze advertised and sold jugs with stop leak already in the
> > antifreeze. DuPont used tiny styrene plastic pellets (which were made
> by Dow as water softener resin) and Dow used ginger root powder.
> >
> > Emery Stora
> > 77 Kingsley
> > Frederick, CO
>
> Just so you know not to waste the time and effort, Blackstone reported
> that our engine had coolant in the lube oil. As soon as I saw that, I when
> on
> the offensive and both monitored coolant loss and did lube oil changes
> regularly. I was still unsure, so I borrowed a cooling system tester and
> put
> pressure on the cold system for a day. It did lose some, but not a lot.
> So, I loaded (I do mean loaded) with the Barrs Leak pellets. the next three
> changes still showed coolant present.
>
> I case you weren't reading a few days ago, when I got the intake off,
> there was a visible leak path.....
>
> Matt
>
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[emerystora]

OK. What is it that you don’t believe? The size of the pellets or something else?

Emery Stora

>
> Emery, would you please site more source data points as I am not sure I
> believe u.
>
>
> Sully
> 77 eleganza 2
> Bellevue
>

>

>>> Don't use a stop leak that is in an oil base. Barrs and others sell
>> that. The oil can interfere with the antifoam additives in antifreeze. So
>>> be sure to use a dry powder.
>>>
>>> General Motors, for over at least the last 70 years has put stop leak
>> powder into their vehicles as a preventative measure. They use ground up
>>> ginger root. There used to be a Vernor's Ginger Ale factory in
>> Detroit. Someone found that ground up ginger root would seal up small
>> leaks but not
>>> harm the water pump or other internal engine parts. You can buy that
>> stop leak in pellets about 1" in diameter and 1/2" thick. Usually in the
>>> plastic bubble packs at the parts store.
>>>
>>> GM would put two pellets into a V-8 and one into a six cylinder on the
>> assembly line.and
>>> They are sold under the AC/Delco label and also other brands. Here is a
>> picture on Amazon:
>>>
>> https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=stop+leak+pellets
>>>
>>> Back in the 70's both DuPont with their Xerex antifreeze and Dow
>> Chemical's antifreeze advertised and sold jugs with stop leak already in the
>>> antifreeze. DuPont used tiny styrene plastic pellets (which were made
>> by Dow as water softener resin) and Dow used ginger root powder.
>>>
>>> Emery Stora
>>> 77 Kingsley
>>> Frederick, CO
>>
>> Just so you know not to waste the time and effort, Blackstone reported
>> that our engine had coolant in the lube oil. As soon as I saw that, I when
>> on
>> the offensive and both monitored coolant loss and did lube oil changes
>> regularly. I was still unsure, so I borrowed a cooling system tester and
>> put
>> pressure on the cold system for a day. It did lose some, but not a lot.
>> So, I loaded (I do mean loaded) with the Barrs Leak pellets. the next three
>> changes still showed coolant present.
>>
>> I case you weren't reading a few days ago, when I got the intake off,
>> there was a visible leak path.....
>>
>> Matt
>>
>> --
>> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
>> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
>> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
>> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org