Blown radiator, oops...

[JaySVX]

This is why Jay is not allowed to work on cars by himself...

I had the fwd fuse in my 92 when i was having issues getting it out of awd. When i took the fuse out, i accidently took out the AC fuse instead of the fwd fuse. Well that controls the fans on the radiator as well. Surely enough, the car went from ok to HOT HOT HOT in about 3 seconds after 10min of driving. I quickly pulled over and shut the car off. The moment i shut it off, POP, and steam and coolant pouring out from under the hood. Since my 94 is off the road with a badly slipping tranny and a broken wheel, i'm going to borrow that radiator and attempt the swap in a pizzeria parking lot where my tealy now resides. Wish me luck!

[benebob]

Are you sure you did something to the radiator. Steam will come out of the overflow as that's how the system relieves pressure if need be.

[JaySVX]

There's a visible crack, about 12" long and 1" wide, on the top front, and as soon as i turned off my car, it exploded, water shot everywhere, as well as steam, quite a site to see actually. The new radiator is in and the car is running fine again. 3 hours on the ground in the pouring rain to get the old one out and new one in. The hoses were dry-rotted on and the hose clamps were rusted to the point that turning htem was impossible, so i had to cut all the hoses and buy new hose clamps to put on. I bought a new silla radiator off ebay for $165 shipped, and hopefully it'll get here soon. Til then 'll have a 94 sitting out back that doesn't run, but my 92 is going strong, when i can get it to disengage fwd.

[budbaer]

Originally Posted by JaySVX

There's a visible crack, about 12" long and 1" wide, on the top front, and as soon as i turned off my car, it exploded, water shot everywhere, as well as steam, quite a site to see actually. The new radiator is in and the car is running fine again. 3 hours on the ground in the pouring rain to get the old one out and new one in. The hoses were dry-rotted on and the hose clamps were rusted to the point that turning htem was impossible, so i had to cut all the hoses and buy new hose clamps to put on. I bought a new silla radiator off ebay for $165 shipped, and hopefully it'll get here soon. Til then 'll have a 94 sitting out back that doesn't run, but my 92 is going strong, when i can get it to disengage fwd.

COoOL

Sorry to derive entertainment from your misfortune, you just described it so well.

[Crazy_pilot]

Originally Posted by budbaer

COoOL

Sorry to derive entertainment from your misfortune, you just described it so well.

Lol, I was gonna say the same thing. Pictures would have been neat.

[benebob]

Originally Posted by JaySVX

There's a visible crack, about 12" long and 1" wide, on the top front, and as soon as i turned off my car, it exploded, water shot everywhere, as well as steam, quite a site to see actually. The new radiator is in and the car is running fine again. 3 hours on the ground in the pouring rain to get the old one out and new one in. The hoses were dry-rotted on and the hose clamps were rusted to the point that turning htem was impossible, so i had to cut all the hoses and buy new hose clamps to put on. I bought a new silla radiator off ebay for $165 shipped, and hopefully it'll get here soon. Til then 'll have a 94 sitting out back that doesn't run, but my 92 is going strong, when i can get it to disengage fwd.

Just checking. Though most don't want to admit it the majority of rad failures can be directly related to two issues with the car. (guess they don't want to admit to neglecting their baby)

1. Tired or bad engine mounts put a lot of stress on the radiator
2. An old not so flexable top hose.

Granted it isn't the best designed set up using plastic for a radiator BUT in reality a radiator life is 10-15 years inside anyways no matter what its made of. Check your motor mounts and engine movement while hitting the gas and also keep that top hose fresh.

[JaySVX]

had fwd fuse in while working on it, removed ac fuse instead on accident. no fans on the rad. poof.

[benebob]

Originally Posted by JaySVX

had fwd fuse in while working on it, removed ac fuse instead on accident. no fans on the rad. poof.

That has nothing to do with it. A radiator in good condition will hold the pressure before the system vents itself. A stressed radiator from age and the things I said are your main culprit. In fact a properly running and cooling SVX should be able to drive without the fans or pressure in the system provided it isn't in traffic for more than a light cycle.