1993 Chevy S-10 Engine Coolant

Tiny
DIVERUP158
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 CHEVROLET S-10
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
I recently purchased a S-10 pickup truck. I have found that the radiator is realitively new along with a new thermostat and waterpump. (Cracked or warped head, headgasket blown from overheating?) I noticed that I was loosing a small amount of coolant and was gettting a small amount of steam from the tailpipe appearing to be from burning antifreeze. I pullled the spark plugs and found that one of the plugs appears to be "wet" while the others are normal. If I modify the radiator cap not to pressurize, will this slow coolant from entering the cylinder and prolong the engine life? With the high milage, coolant problem and also needing a rear main seal would replacing or repairing the engine be the best way to go?
Thursday, January 3rd, 2008 AT 10:35 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

if you modify the radiator cap from holding pressure, you will only increase your problems, The radiator cap is designed to hold pressure because a liquid under pressure boils at a higher temperature, so your coolant under pressure will not boil at 100Deg C (sorry I work in metric) most cooling systems run at around 85-94 Deg C so with a pressurised system the margin for overheating is increased. As for the other repairs, I would do them sooner rather than later, as you may find the cost nay blow out as things deteriorate further.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Friday, January 4th, 2008 AT 4:46 AM

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