QuestionQUESTION: Hi James,
I have a 1994 Ford, gas, E-150 van. It has a V-8 engine.I have 119,000 on the van. I last had the radiator flushed and filled what will be 2 yrs. ago this July. I have driven this vehicle about 10,000 miles max. since the last radiator flush and fill. Today, I arrived home from having driven about 2 miles RT and when I got out of the van, realized there was a gurgling noise which I recognized was coming from the radiator. I had the AC on during my outing and my Ac was cooling fine. After about 15 min., I loosened the radiator cap, but before I did this, noticed rusty brown liquid was on my driveway and had leaked from the radiator. The bottom of my radiator cap was rusty. I know I need to get the cap replaced and can do this tomorrow. There was very little fluid remaining in my radiator. from just looking inside the radiator, I cannot detect any obvious corosion. I realize my radiator must be flushed and filled, however, I cannot afford to go to a mechanic to have this done right now. I have antifreeze at home. How can I proceed at this point until I can afford to take my vehicle to a mechanic the end of the month? If I have a hole in the radiator, what can be done and what about costs? I live in Central Virginia. I would be very grateful for your help. Thank you, James.
ANSWER: There are a couple of things that you can do. I must first tell you that it sounds like a bad water pump. The water pump is right in front of the radiator and has a weep hole to warn you of failure. If you are confident that the radiator is bad after that, you can remove it and take it to a radiator shop. Prices will vary and it may be cheaper to replace. As far as flushing is concerned, there is a kit that is really easy to use. You splice into one of the heater hoses and just screw on a water hose to the adapter provided. It works like a charm. You do need to clean the system as well. You can pick up a cleaner for under five bucks when you get the flush kit. The one last thing that needs attention is the thermostat. With that color you described it is at or near failing. Thermostats do not like or respond well to sediment. All of this can be done at very little expense or mechanic expertise. The thermostat is located under the housing at the top radiator hose where it goes into the engine.
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QUESTION: Thank you, James! I never thought about the water pump which is original to the van.
1)Do you think that it would be OK for me to drive the van 8 miles to the mechanic's garage provided I add antifreeze first?
2)Since you mentioned the thermostat needing to be replaced, will I be likely to have a problem with overheating until I can reach the mechanic?
3) I know your expertise lies in Fords, but I do have a ? re a 1984 Nissan Maxima. This car has not been driven in a few years. The engine has been started, the oil has been changed, the radiator is full. However, the car hasn't been driven at all and the brakes are locked up. It will not budge with 3 friends pushing the vehicle. Can you advise what I can do to get the brakes unlocked, please? Thanks for everything.
AnswerYou will have to bleed the system. Possible remove the calipers and wheel cylinders and replace them. The brake hoses are something else that may need to be looked at. Did you have the E-brake pulled when you parked it. If so, it sounds like it is frozen. You are probably looking at rear lock up. I would jack up the car one side at a time, and work each wheel. My guess is that with the transmission in neutral, the fronts are fine. I would say that your problem lies in the rear. Worse case scenario, with the car on the ground of course. Put it in neutral and with a tow strap force the car to move. That should free up the wheels.
