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Smoke in radiator

Discussion in 'Wrangler YJ (1986-1995)' started by UtahJeep13, Oct 16, 2020.

  1. Oct 16, 2020 at 10:57 PM
    #1
    UtahJeep13

    UtahJeep13 [OP] Member

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    hey guys just bought a Jeep my first one drove it 45 mins home and the temp was at 210 Parked it and pulled it apart changing EVERY part even the heater core in the cooling system along with sensors.

    I did over torque the coolant temp sensor for the gauge.

    Filled up the rad started to burp the system after 5 mins it was hot but not in the red and the rad had smoke come out of the bubbles and the rad blew up in the bottom corner.

    Not sure what just happened head gasket went but why? How did I drive it 45 mins with a rad that looked this? Then blow up after it has a whole new cooling system put in I don’t understand

    Wtf should I do now

    46EB6BF5-3E6A-465D-8ADB-F95D646E8C9B.jpg
     
  2. Oct 17, 2020 at 7:50 AM
    #2
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    If the rad in the pic is the one that blew up it was long over due for failure. It shows signs of poor non existent maintenance. Sounds like air was still trapped in the system. Obviously you're going to have to start all over and take care of this cooling system: rad>hoses>thermostat>burping etc. Keep us posted.
     
  3. Oct 17, 2020 at 9:23 AM
    #3
    UtahJeep13

    UtahJeep13 [OP] Member

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    That’s what I replaced my brand new one blew up while I was burping it. I just don’t understand how I drove it with what was the original rad 45 mins home and the temp didn’t get as hot as it did after I replaced the w/p thermostat & housing rad hoses heater core sensors and was just burning the system I guess need to take everything back apart and repair the head gasket hopefully nothing is cracked
     
    Last edited: Oct 17, 2020
  4. Oct 17, 2020 at 12:03 PM
    #4
    UtahJeep13

    UtahJeep13 [OP] Member

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    A6366844-3FF2-4EFC-AC95-CF6B9C2D0DCD.jpg A382F9C9-B5D3-4FFB-81AF-DDB9BEA25635.jpg DD95B88B-51F6-4F0D-B596-E4F46A1F2CF2.jpg
    Just replace valve cover & oil pan gasket whole exhaust (kept the manifold with no gasket)had to buy 2 bolts that were missing on the intake and exhaust manifold- whole cooling system rad fan clutch w/p hoses heater core-blower motor- full tune up plugs wires cap rotor ignition coil -every sensor on the intake manifold fixed the fan shroud-vacuum lines
     
    Last edited: Oct 17, 2020
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  5. Oct 17, 2020 at 2:35 PM
    #5
    LYFZGOOD

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    2.5” lift 32x11.50x15,cold air intake, Smittybuilt stainless steel Bumpers, rough county pocket flares,Rugged ridge seat covers and floor mats. Conversion LED headlights 20’ LED Light bar hardtop,soft top,bikini top.
    Where are you located? Looks Beautiful in the background.
     
  6. Oct 17, 2020 at 3:05 PM
    #6
    UtahJeep13

    UtahJeep13 [OP] Member

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  7. Oct 17, 2020 at 4:58 PM
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    LYFZGOOD

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    It’s beautiful. I’m only 1644 miles east of you
     
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  8. Oct 18, 2020 at 2:35 PM
    #8
    Silentrunning

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    One thing to keep in mind is that water expands by a factor of volume by 1600 times when it turns to steam. If it is confined in a sealed place it can be explosive.
     
  9. Oct 18, 2020 at 2:49 PM
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    UtahJeep13

    UtahJeep13 [OP] Member

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    I had the cap off and was filling it up and smoke was coming out so your saying that was steam not exhaust gas? Thanks for the reply
     
  10. Oct 18, 2020 at 3:05 PM
    #10
    UtahJeep13

    UtahJeep13 [OP] Member

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    Also just took the head off and it appears to be alright to me

    8F426D9F-999B-4AC4-B7C2-F599F71FB44A.jpg
    ABE5A924-1000-41C2-BAE7-29A0E8969B37.jpg

    DFA33DCF-6AC0-48A9-9345-4C1FBDFFBC0E.jpg
     
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  11. Oct 18, 2020 at 3:06 PM
    #11
    Silentrunning

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    Most likely steam. If it is smoke from the engine you have a major problem.
     
  12. Oct 18, 2020 at 3:15 PM
    #12
    UtahJeep13

    UtahJeep13 [OP] Member

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    So that explains why the head looks good ?
    The oil is stuck and hard like coal to the inside of the walls and everything what does that mean?

    You think there’s a problem like a crack in the head? What would make the steam

    4CB7A234-762C-4A5C-AB55-1F9A20EA656A.jpg

    85FB0D9A-5B76-41CB-B00F-C5F13162C0E2.jpg
    A8055A2C-3424-4176-934E-4CA6D3CCFB48.jpg
    14DD2A76-5F5E-499B-8EAE-D43581ED12AA.jpg
     
  13. Oct 18, 2020 at 3:22 PM
    #13
    UtahJeep13

    UtahJeep13 [OP] Member

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    This last picture on the head bottom right corner has this almost looks someone welded it up. :annoyed:Look at that let me know what you think

    00C236AF-6915-4ACD-A839-4DE80C525286.jpg
     
  14. Oct 18, 2020 at 7:27 PM
    #14
    Silentrunning

    Silentrunning Member

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    That totally mystifies me. It certainly does look like a weld. I had thought possibly you had a blown head gasket. Now I don’t know what to think.
     
  15. Oct 19, 2020 at 5:33 AM
    #15
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Could that be a little mini combustion reactor site? An internal combustion within a I.C.E.....joking but somewhat serious
     
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  16. Oct 19, 2020 at 10:40 AM
    #16
    Silentrunning

    Silentrunning Member

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    If this was my Jeep I would install a new head gasket and then do a compression test. I would then get a cooling system pressure tester. If both tests are positive I would go have a beer.
     
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