|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
12-31-2018, 09:42 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lithia, FL
Posts: 1,050
|
Radiator Overflow Tube Leak
Being new to the Model A, I am leraning something new everyday and today is no exception. When I was checking my water level, I noticed a rusty spec resting on the baffle however in order to remove it, I slightly moved the overflow tube and when I did, suddenly a steady stream of water starting flowing out of the bottom of the the overflow tube. Being that the water level was beneath the top of the tube, could I have agravated a crack in the tube? Do these tubes need to be in a specific position? Here's a photo of mine. The water is no longer coming out but the level has dropped a bit. I have a feeling I am about to read-up on radiator removal procedures.
__________________
If it aint broke, don't fix it! |
01-01-2019, 08:43 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: new britain,ct 06052
Posts: 9,390
|
Re: Radiator Overflow Tube Leak
You may have just unplugged the o/flow tube.......
Paul in CT |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
01-01-2019, 08:47 AM | #3 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 310
|
Re: Radiator Overflow Tube Leak
Quote:
I was getting ready to put another radiator in the car and when I filled it up and plugged the bottom and top inlet/outlet water was coming out of the overflow and had to replace the overflow tube which had a crack in the tank area. Wasn't a problem for the radiator shop to replace the tube. It also ran over on the right side which wasn't correct, so corrected that also. |
|
01-01-2019, 09:13 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lithia, FL
Posts: 1,050
|
Re: Radiator Overflow Tube Leak
Thanks for the replies. It is no longer dripping from the overflow but the water just barely covers the core. When I started adding some water it started coming out of the bottom tube again. I am pretty much convinced there must be a crack somewhere in the overflow tube between the top and bottom of the tank. Looks like I will be removing the radiator and taking it to a shop.
__________________
If it aint broke, don't fix it! |
01-01-2019, 09:38 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: michigan
Posts: 1,126
|
Re: Radiator Overflow Tube Leak
Try letting it find it’s own level,as long as you can see the fluid I think you will be fine!, remember these are not a pressurized system best of luck
|
01-01-2019, 10:35 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Auburn Washington
Posts: 2,552
|
Re: Radiator Overflow Tube Leak
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
|
01-01-2019, 10:47 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
|
Re: Radiator Overflow Tube Leak
Looking at the bottom of the overflow of the tube there seems to be a silver/shiny crack/break. Could be a crack, but then again could be water/damp, optics of the picture. With the motor not running you should be able to fill to the top of the overflow, but it starts draining when you get to the top of the core.
While at the radiator shop have them back flush it and check condition. When putting it back on, if you do not have one, add an upper hose coolant filter to keep the rust from the block getting into the radiator. |
01-01-2019, 11:08 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bismarck ND
Posts: 1,189
|
Re: Radiator Overflow Tube Leak
It is common for that tube to rust through. Most originals had steel overflow tubes and in their past life, many were run without the rust prevention of antifreeze or other rust preventers. The cleaning process often removes the rust fron the steel and a leak suddenly appears.
|
01-01-2019, 06:42 PM | #9 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lithia, FL
Posts: 1,050
|
Re: Radiator Overflow Tube Leak
Quote:
__________________
If it aint broke, don't fix it! |
|
01-02-2019, 02:30 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pitt Meadows BC
Posts: 1,003
|
Re: Radiator Overflow Tube Leak
Here's a quick fix, pick up a length of shrink tube that will just slide over the over-flow tube. Warm it up with a BBQ lighter and seal that crack.
|
01-02-2019, 03:11 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 886
|
Re: Radiator Overflow Tube Leak
I did the same until I could get time to repair it. I used 'marine' shrink tubing, the kind that has glue inside to help seal the leak. The only problem is that it worked so good I have no incentive to fix it properly.
__________________
The Master Cylinder Enjoying life at the beach in SoCal... |
01-02-2019, 03:20 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lithia, FL
Posts: 1,050
|
Re: Radiator Overflow Tube Leak
Thanks guys. I may give that a try. Besides the cracked tube problem, I am still getting some seepage when the engine is warmed-up on the inside bottom seam of the tank where it meets the core so I may go ahead and remove/repair. Best, Steve.
__________________
If it aint broke, don't fix it! |
01-03-2019, 12:44 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Bend Or.
Posts: 1,057
|
Re: Radiator Overflow Tube Leak
Yep, I would certainly take it off and have a shop leak test and repair. Not that big a deal to take it out, and a process you will repeat in the future. A tip I learned here: take the front bumper off before you start. It is only two bolts and makes the process much easier. I remove the headlights bar as well.
__________________
Bill Worden 1929 Roadster 1929 Briggs Town Sedan 1930 Closed Cab pickup Smith Motor Compressor 1951 Ford F1 High Desert Model A's |
01-03-2019, 06:36 PM | #14 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lithia, FL
Posts: 1,050
|
Re: Radiator Overflow Tube Leak
Quote:
__________________
If it aint broke, don't fix it! |
|
01-04-2019, 01:21 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pitt Meadows BC
Posts: 1,003
|
Re: Radiator Overflow Tube Leak
If you do the repair you can cheat a bit using the same size in copper tubing. it bends easily and will tin very quickly so soldering it in is easy. Once tested you can paint it with BBQ Flat Black and no one will be the wiser.
|
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|