[FierceIndependence]

I've done some superficial reading and this appears to be an issue with rust in the radiator?

Will someone enlighten me? What is it exactly, how bad is it exactly, and what's the fix for this?

Will a simple radiator flush solve the problem?

I haven't noticed anything unusual in how it drives and the truck isn't overheating or anything, and I'm not aware of any leaks.

thanks!

 

[jgrauman]

What's the history is it yours? When was the water pump changed last? What coolant are you using? If plain water has been used it can cause things to rust. Flush the system and put the proper coolant in it

 

[FierceIndependence]

What's the history is it yours? When was the water pump changed last? What coolant are you using? If plain water has been used it can cause things to rust. Flush the system and put the proper coolant in it

My truck, bought new, 2004, 450,000 miles, don't remember, don't know, and since I made the original post, I've spoken to a friend and have a better handle on what's going on. It was low on coolant, pretty rusty, and have an appt tomorow to get a pressure test. And I'll go from there.

Thanks!

 

[rlmiller]

I've done some superficial reading and this appears to be an issue with rust in the radiator?

Will someone enlighten me? What is it exactly, how bad is it exactly, and what's the fix for this?

Will a simple radiator flush solve the problem?

I haven't noticed anything unusual in how it drives and the truck isn't overheating or anything, and I'm not aware of any leaks.

thanks!

What he said! Perform or have performed a coolant system service. Flush, fill, pull a vacuum, and top off. But before you do, check all the block freeze plugs for signs of leakage and rust through. Then check your radiator and heater core hoses for signs of cracking. Some wire reinforced hoses will rust internally if cracking to the wire from the inside. An old cooling system where only water was added ought to have its consumable components (hoses clamps, thermostat, thermostat housing gasket, temp sensor, and coolant) replaced in my opinion. Not doing so, regardless of financial pain at the moment, is an invitation to disaster. One might even have to R&R the water pump if the mechanical seal faces' have been compromised as indicated by leak through signs. Hopefully not. Don't mess with it, just get 'er done.

 

[FierceIndependence]

Well, turned out there was a hole in the radiator, so I ended up replacing it. And the thermostat, too.

Thanks for the insight; it definitely helped.

 

[Jonesy]

You did yourself a favor here. Good Goin' !

Still running your original radiator? CHANGE IT!!!!

If you haven't changed your radiator yet take my advice and avoid a huge mess and alot of money and change it. My transmittion cooler inside my radiator exploded and I now have my tranny full of anti-freeze and the rad and engine block full of transmittion fluid. I had to replace the rad and...

www.tundrasolutions.com

 

[James777]

I've done some superficial reading and this appears to be an issue with rust in the radiator?

Will someone enlighten me? What is it exactly, how bad is it exactly, and what's the fix for this?

Will a simple radiator flush solve the problem?

I haven't noticed anything unusual in how it drives and the truck isn't overheating or anything, and I'm not aware of any leaks.

thanks!

My 2001 Tundras coolant looks great, like red color and so clean you can see the radiator tubes, I did a simple drain and fill several months ago just to keep it in perfect condition
But if you have severe Rust that tells me it's been neglected, not changing the coolant in a timely manner, probably not using distilled water, yes you need to do an aggressive cooling system flush, I would even remove the block drains to get out All of the rust and sediment, and flush the heater core and remove and replace the thermostat to, and use the Asian Red coolant, there are small coolant passages in the heads, hopefully they are not restricted from the rust and sediment, I had to do that to an old neglected 1994 dodge ram, I got 99% of the rust and crud out of the cooling system and I didn't cause any leaks and my heater got more heat