So here's the story. I changed my radiator because it was leaking like crazy and Stop Leak didnt do the trick this time. Instead of buying a new one, i just installed one that i had taken out of my car because it was an aftermarket oem ****....and plus i noticed that my hoses did not have that much pressure in them. Meaning i could squeeze them literally. So trying to save money i was hoping it wouldnt be a pain. After installing it and filling everything back up. I drove it to work and to the gym. Then i opened my hood and both my hoses were flat, sucked in. I then opened my cap to see if i was low on coolant which i wasnt. I added enough to fill it to the top. and now my top hose feels like its all mushy...hella hot but mushy...my lower one seems to just be cold and im not overheating...im clueless now..could it be a bad radiator or a bad cap? help me anyone...thanks in advance

 

??????

 

No one?

 

maybe thermostat?? Or partially clogged coolant passage.... Ive heard that the radiator stop leak stuff could cause issues throughout coolant passages but have not heard anyone have that issue. Just throwing out some ideas. I had an issue close to that once but thermostat was not operating properly.

 

Hey so did you ever figure out why the radiator hose was getting sucked flat?

 

My 92 honda civic is doing the same thing but only afer is cools down completely like overnight.

 

Hot air expands, cold air contracts.

When you open it hot, you're letting the pressure out. Now it's got no pressure. Then when it cools down, you now have a vacuum effect.

In short, radiator isn't bad. Just bleed the radiator, and add to proper coolant level, and only open the radiator cap when it isn't hot. Perhaps change the hose out while you're at it, but it should be fine.

 

Could it be the thermostat

 

It could be. But if the car is warming up as normal, and not running hot, then it's probably just in need of pressure relief.

When you open a radiator that's hot, the pressure that's released (coolant that spews out) is the effect. When you close that radiator with no pressure but the coolant is still hot, the coolant system isn't working as effectively as it should be. Then when it cools down, the lack of pressure becomes a vacuum. Essentially putting stress on the weakest part of the cooling system. It's not going to be the block, the over flow, or the radiator...so it'll probably be the hoses. You may need to make sure you bleed it with the heater valve open.