1993 Chevy S-10 Engine Coolant

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

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