Is it normal for the radiator to make a hissing sound (like steam buildup) after a 20 mile trip?
The guage reads normal.What would you guys do if this is not a normal routine.Thank you.
iddie

Hi Iddie,

When You refer to a "Hissing Sound" that usually indicates a leak of some sort.
Try to listen where the sound is coming from. The hissing is either air, water or both.
If you don't see any water, you apparently have a pinhole someplace.
Have You replaced the Hoses and Cap? It my not be making an entire seal.
Also check your connections.Sometimes when heated up the metal clamps expand. They may have to be checked and retightened.

Let us know how you make out.

Regards,

Tom Gallagher

Hello Tom,
Thanks for responding.I don't see any water & there are no spots on the floor.I'll retighten the clamps & try to find a new radiator cap.I have not replaced all of the hoses.The hissing sound seems to be coming from the "neck" of the radiator.
Have you located a voltage regulator,or starter solenoid yet?Autozone here has the voltage regulator for $20.99.It is manufactured by Wells.It must be the type Judd was telling us about.
iddie

When the weather warms up, I think that the problem is going to get worse. The fact that you hear a hissing sound means that your cooling system is not fully pressurized. This means that the boiling point is lower than what it should be. This can lead to boil over. If you think the hissing sound is coming from the radiatior, pull the radiaton and have it flushed and pressure tested. It will save you time and heartache in the summer!

Thanks Sergio.I was advised to do that when I rebuilt the engine,but was hard headed.I've also been thinking about taking the car to a radiator shop before pulling the radiator to get the system tested.I'll keep you posted.

Hello Tom & Sergio,
Took the Buick to a radiator shop & had it pressure tested.The owner showed me 2 leaks,and presented me with 3 options.(1)pull radiator & bring in for cleaning & possible repair.(2)let him try to find me a new core.(3)(try non-pelletized barsleak if I'm not going on long trips.Now being naturally lazy :D I'm ready to try the barsleak, plus I'm not in the mood to pull the radiator right now.Have you guys tried barsleak? Will it stop up other parts of the engine? I was not charged for the pressure test.Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
iddie

what model are we talking about here? There is another possible solution, pull one out of a u-pull-it wrecking yard. radiators are easy to change out yourself and its certainly cheap. Barsleak will work for a while. Do something though, heat is the enemy of your engine.

Jim B.

Hi Iddie.

I don't like that Barsleak stuff. True it is a quick eay fix, but that stuff can go through the cooling system and clog up other areas. Esp the Heater Core. Now That is a real "Pain in the Tush".

It's possibly the worst job you would ever have to perform. Some cars you have to remove the dash. Others you have to remove the R/f Fender.
That's after you find a replacement part.

Do yourself a favor. Do it One and Do it right.

The guy might be able to soldier it an make the necessary repairs and clean it out.

Regards'

Tom Gallagher

Hello Jim B,& Tom,
Jim,It's a '55 Special Model 40 with 3 speed.
Tom,I hear you.I am a little hesitant about putting that stuff into a freshly rebuilt engine.
Have you found your parts yet?
iddie

iddie i had mine rebuilt here in Orange county California where every thing is priced skyhigh, and it still didn't cost an extreme amount of money. Yank that radiator and get 'er done right.

Hello Everyone,
I took your combined advice and pulled the radiator :D .It looked worse out of the engine compartment :eek: .It is now in the shop,and I'll probably need a new core.I'll find out for sure later in the week.Thank you graemlins/thumbsup.gif very much for helping me.
Iddie

do not use Bars Leak....... I had an old PInto from the 1970's as a winter beater one year and when I put the bars leak init rather than pulling the entire dash for the heater core all I got was black ooze running from the leak under the dash, plus the car was overheating even worse.

Hello Robert,
Thanks for the advice graemlins/thumbsup.gif .I will not use any Bars leak.
Iddie

Good call in doing the repair correctly. Then again, I am the type of person who will not stand for a drop of fluid spilling from a car. Just remember, when you replace/repair the rad you won't have to worry about it any longer!!! This thread reminds me of my sister-in-law's friend. She drives a late model rice burner. As she is pulling out of my in-laws drive way, brake parts literally start to fall from her car. The funniest thing that I have ever seen!! After a couple of hours spent chasing parts down, please do the repair correctly!

Sergio,thanks again for helping me out.
Iddie

Iddie
About August you'll be glad you rebuilt the radiator instead of half A##ed it.
Judd

graemlins/wavey.gif Hey Iddie!

JUDD is Right! It may cost you some bucks now, but the job will be done right and you won't have to worry about it again.

All the bad stuff happens when you least expect it.

Like when your on vacation, on the cross-bronx express-way on firday night at rush hour on the GW Bridge. :eek:

I realize the analogy on your part is out of context, but you could be in the middle of know=where and suddenly you get the flash-back of "Deliverence" if you catch my drift. :eek:

Anyway, There is no good time to break-down.

To repair you current condition is money well spent compaired to the alternative. Cheeper in the long run and piece of mind.

Think of the money you would save in a tow bill, a hotel, "RARE" parts, labor ect. on the road.

Hope You are able to get the situation properly corrected. graemlins/thumbsup.gif graemlins/beers.gif

Respectfully,

graemlins/shield.gif Tom Gallagher graemlins/shield.gif

Hello Judd &Tom,
I believe you and understand perfectly.It gets hot down here in August,in fact today the temperatures are forecast to be in the 70's.Thanks again for helping me.
Iddie