740 radiator Topic is solved
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Guest
740 radiator
about 2 months ago i installed a new radiator in my '91 740, it was running very cold (the temperature gage didn't even pick up) and the heat didn't work but now it's running warmer (gauge picks up about 1/4 the way) and now the heat works. i'm not complaining. i'm just curious why this happened, is there any kind of "break in" period for radiators? (the radiator is working perfectly, full of fluid, no leaks)
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Kmaniac in California USA
- Posts: 301
- Joined: 15 January 2005
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- Location: Concord, California USA
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To answer your question, let me assure you that radiators need no break-in period.
With regards to your temperature problem, coolant temperature is regulated by the "thermostat". This little device is located inside the housing that the upper radiator hose attaches to at the engine. This device consists of a valve regulated by a spring and a temperature sensitive element. It maintains coolant at a specific temperature by opening when it gets too hot and closing when it gets too cold. When a thermostat fails, it can fail in either one of two conditions, open or closed. When a thermostat fails in the closed position, the car will overheat within the first mile of driving after start up. When a thermostat fails open, the car will drive normally, but the temperature guage will hover next to "C".
With regards to radiator replacement, the only reason why one would need to replace a radiator is if it leaks or is cracked and you are unable to patch or repair it.
Now, having said all that, I have a couple questions for you. And please accept my apologies beforehand if I happen to sound condesending in my questions and discussion.
The fact that your temperature gauge never came off of "C" when driving and you got no heat from your heater is indicative of a thermostat failure in the open position.
First of all, did you replace your thermostat at the same time that you replaced your radiator? If not, I suggest you do so immediately.
Next, why did you replace the radiator? Was it leaking or cracked? If so, fine. If not, you wasted your money.
Hopefully, you did this work yourself and you didn't pay someone to do this for you. Education is priceless and we can always learn by what we do once and do over. That's how I learned about cars over the past 30 years. The next time something unusual happens with your car, please consult the forum first. There are plenty of us out here who have seen it before and can dispense words of wisdom.
With regards to your temperature problem, coolant temperature is regulated by the "thermostat". This little device is located inside the housing that the upper radiator hose attaches to at the engine. This device consists of a valve regulated by a spring and a temperature sensitive element. It maintains coolant at a specific temperature by opening when it gets too hot and closing when it gets too cold. When a thermostat fails, it can fail in either one of two conditions, open or closed. When a thermostat fails in the closed position, the car will overheat within the first mile of driving after start up. When a thermostat fails open, the car will drive normally, but the temperature guage will hover next to "C".
With regards to radiator replacement, the only reason why one would need to replace a radiator is if it leaks or is cracked and you are unable to patch or repair it.
Now, having said all that, I have a couple questions for you. And please accept my apologies beforehand if I happen to sound condesending in my questions and discussion.
The fact that your temperature gauge never came off of "C" when driving and you got no heat from your heater is indicative of a thermostat failure in the open position.
First of all, did you replace your thermostat at the same time that you replaced your radiator? If not, I suggest you do so immediately.
Next, why did you replace the radiator? Was it leaking or cracked? If so, fine. If not, you wasted your money.
Hopefully, you did this work yourself and you didn't pay someone to do this for you. Education is priceless and we can always learn by what we do once and do over. That's how I learned about cars over the past 30 years. The next time something unusual happens with your car, please consult the forum first. There are plenty of us out here who have seen it before and can dispense words of wisdom.
Chris the "K MANIAC"
1986 740 GLE
(5) 1964 Chrysler 300-K's
1986 740 GLE
(5) 1964 Chrysler 300-K's
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Guest
i replaced the radiator because the fitting that the hose connected to snapped off, this running cold issue started as soon as i installed the new radiator. i did not replace the thermostat when i replaced the radiator.
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