Engine cooling repair.

Posted by Don on April 26, 2004 at 12:12:43:

I live in the relatively cool NW, and have little stress on my engine's cooling system, and no apparent problems until I drove upgrade in DV where my engine boiled violently. A "rescue" tow never arrived so I refilled the radiator with some of my emergency water and drove back down grade to the Furnace Creek Chevron Station where their mechanic did minor repairs, and informed me their station was not equipped to perform more elaborate repairs. He did not charge me and made an appointment for me at "Don's Radiator& Air Conditioning Service" of Pahrump, Nevada (2851 East Gamebird, 1-888-413-0958.) Other DV personnel also recommended the same shop. Repairs were made at fair prices and we were provided a free camp site at his shop for our 21' RV. Our cooling system was checked out by a shop before leaving home to solve a "minor" leak at that time. I was told not to be concerned. Don's Radiator personnel overhauled: partially blocked radiator, replaced leaking water pump and faulty radiator cap. Returned to DV and home with no further problems. Our gallon containers of emergency water were crucial, and we still had many gallons left in the RV for drinking, etc. Cautions I previously or recently learned: Check out vehicle cooling system before trip, carry sufficient water for drinking and engine, carry basic tools, carefully open hood to avoid unexpected spray of steam and hot water, never open radiator cap with hot engine/radiator. Be wary of simple hose clamps to secure radiator hoses. Use screw type clamps. My lower radiator hose slid partially off by the boiling water pressure. I left the radiator cap loose after refilling to avoid pressure buildup which would have pushed my slipping hose off. This caused the engine to boil again as cooling system normal pressurization enables the system to operate above open air boiling temperatures.

Follow Ups:

• heater is actually a small radiator speesh 18:17:47 04/28/04 (0)
• Re: Engine cooling repair. Gary 00:01:46 04/28/04 (0)
• Re: Engine cooling repair. Panamint Charlie 23:56:18 04/27/04 (0)
• Re: Engine cooling repair. Drew 23:14:34 04/27/04 (0)
• Re: run heater, cools engine Mike, are you on LSD? 01:54:34 04/27/04 (5)
  • Re: run heater, cools engine Ed 22:33:49 04/27/04 (0)
  • Re: run heater, cools engine justanotherdesertrat 21:21:49 04/27/04 (0)
  • I've done the heater thing.... G.U. 19:23:05 04/27/04 (0)
  • heater is better than blown head gasket mike 07:33:12 04/27/04 (1)
  • Re: run heater, cools engine frankman 06:17:04 04/27/04 (0)
• Re: run heater, cools engine Denver 01:38:57 04/27/04 (0)
• Re: Engine cooling repair. chahwalla 00:10:03 04/27/04 (0)
• Engine cooling cleaning, filter, service mrboxcar 21:45:14 04/26/04 (0)
• Muriatic acid? Be careful... G.U. 21:07:02 04/26/04 (3)
  • Chem 100 CE 09:16:07 04/27/04 (2)
    • Guess you were sleeping in chem class... G.U. 19:17:28 04/27/04 (0)
    • Re: Chem 100 MacGraw 09:23:57 04/27/04 (0)
• run heater, cools engine mike 20:13:15 04/26/04 (11)
• Re: Engine cooling repair. SteveS 14:16:11 04/26/04 (0)
• Re: Engine cooling repair. Zardoz 12:23:38 04/26/04 (13)