Overheating followed by radiator explosion

The top of my radiator cracked a couple days ago. I have a 2005 Rubicon and don't know the history of my tj. I'm picking up a OEM radiator on Tuesday and replacing everything coolant related. Water pump, thermostat, fan clutch, hoses, and all pulleys.
 
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Zorba said:
My *GUESS* is that the water pump is bad. Radiators don't "explode" from hot water, they explode from steam. They can crack and leak water until they generate steam, but they generally won't "explode" in those circumstances. Your puke bottle was empty which is telling, so either you didn't put enough coolant back in when you did the harmonic balancer job, or more likely it all leaked out from a bad pump. I'd replace the pump, hoses, T-stat, radiator, and do a complete flush out what with all the rusty nastiness.
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X2

Well said.
 
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DavidBT said:
The top of my radiator cracked a couple days ago. I have a 2005 Rubicon and don't know the history of my tj. I'm picking up a OEM radiator on Tuesday and replacing everything coolant related. Water pump, thermostat, fan clutch, hoses, and all pulleys.
Click to expand...

Don't forget to drill a 1/16" hole in the top side of the thermostat! (The top being whichever side you install it as). This helps with air bubbles that may get trapped in the system.
 
Attempted to break the block drain plug loose last night. Took a 3/8 extension filed down to 5/16 and a breaker bar. Came loose fairly easily. Some gunk came out so I'm happy about that.

Any concern running thermocure through a new radiator after I flush the block gunk with a few gallons of distilled? Also back flushing the Heater Core with some plastic hose.

@cpwolf, thank you. That's exactly what I'll try if I can just find a radiator that isn't discontinued.


Having trouble finding a radiator for the 98 with AT. Some 01+ models show barb fittings which isn't what I have.

I see this one, but what to do about the barb fittings?
https://www.wermopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-engine-cooling-radiator-55037653ab
 
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gabe0941 said:
Attempted to break the block drain plug loose last night. Took a 3/8 extension filed down to 5/16 and a breaker bar. Came loose fairly easily. Some gunk came out so I'm happy about that.

Any concern running thermocure through a new radiator after I flush the block gunk with a few gallons of distilled? Also back flushing the Heater Core with some plastic hose.

@cpwolf, thank you. That's exactly what I'll try if I can just find a radiator that isn't discontinued.


Having trouble finding a radiator for the 98 with AT. Some 01+ models show barb fittings which isn't what I have.

I see this one, but what to do about the barb fittings?
https://www.wermopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-engine-cooling-radiator-55037653ab
Click to expand...

You might want to search some of the threads. @mrblaine posted that he has used any year (I believe) TJ Mopar and just had to get separate connectors for the Automatic Transmission. I have always owned manual Jeeps, so I cannot speak to it.
 
DavidBT said:
The top of my radiator cracked a couple days ago. I have a 2005 Rubicon and don't know the history of my tj. I'm picking up a OEM radiator on Tuesday and replacing everything coolant related. Water pump, thermostat, fan clutch, hoses, and all pulleys.
Click to expand...

I’d still take the time to run Thermocure. Good to fully refresh the coolant system, but if someone straight water like the OP and rusted out the block, possibly contributing to the radiator, it will be worth cleaning it out .
 
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gabe0941 said:
Attempted to break the block drain plug loose last night. Took a 3/8 extension filed down to 5/16 and a breaker bar. Came loose fairly easily. Some gunk came out so I'm happy about that.

Any concern running thermocure through a new radiator after I flush the block gunk with a few gallons of distilled? Also back flushing the Heater Core with some plastic hose.

@cpwolf, thank you. That's exactly what I'll try if I can just find a radiator that isn't discontinued.


Having trouble finding a radiator for the 98 with AT. Some 01+ models show barb fittings which isn't what I have.

I see this one, but what to do about the barb fittings?
https://www.wermopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-engine-cooling-radiator-55037653ab
Click to expand...

Why can't you remove the tube quick disconnect adapters from your rubber cooler lines?
 
gabe0941 said:
Attempted to break the block drain plug loose last night. Took a 3/8 extension filed down to 5/16 and a breaker bar. Came loose fairly easily. Some gunk came out so I'm happy about that.

Any concern running thermocure through a new radiator after I flush the block gunk with a few gallons of distilled? Also back flushing the Heater Core with some plastic hose.

@cpwolf, thank you. That's exactly what I'll try if I can just find a radiator that isn't discontinued.


Having trouble finding a radiator for the 98 with AT. Some 01+ models show barb fittings which isn't what I have.

I see this one, but what to do about the barb fittings?
https://www.wermopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-engine-cooling-radiator-55037653ab
Click to expand...

I'm happy with my Koyorad from 1800-radiators.

Fit exact, very similar to oem design and preformance.
 
gabe0941 said:
Attempted to break the block drain plug loose last night. Took a 3/8 extension filed down to 5/16 and a breaker bar. Came loose fairly easily. Some gunk came out so I'm happy about that.

Any concern running thermocure through a new radiator after I flush the block gunk with a few gallons of distilled? Also back flushing the Heater Core with some plastic hose.

@cpwolf, thank you. That's exactly what I'll try if I can just find a radiator that isn't discontinued.


Having trouble finding a radiator for the 98 with AT. Some 01+ models show barb fittings which isn't what I have.

I see this one, but what to do about the barb fittings?
https://www.wermopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-engine-cooling-radiator-55037653ab
Click to expand...

Thermocure takes care of the rust, which will not be present in the new radiator.
Also,
I used the block drain plug. Open the block drain plug and run some water through the water, as a initial flush, yo flush out all the gunk in the bottom the block.
 
mrblaine said:
Too many years floating around. Post up pics.
Click to expand...

This is what I have currently.

IMG_0812.jpg


IMG_0819.jpg
 
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