Aftermarket Radiator Questions- Cap with Deeper Neck

[adf5565]

I purchased/installed an aluminum Liland Global 850AA3R radiator from rock auto last year for my M1008. I noticed yesterday that the depth of the filler neck on the radiator cap is more than the OEM radiator. I believe OEM is .75", I haven't measured this yet to be exact but it is probably closer to 1".

First question, does anyone have a source for radiator caps that have the deeper neck? I noticed a small leak this morning from the cap, I removed/reinstalled it as maybe it wasn't on quite right but I'd like to obtain another cap in the event the seal goes bad. I called Liland Global but according to them even though the cap is listed as a part in the catalog, they don't sell it separately from the radiator .

I was also attempting to pressure test the cooling system but as the radiator has the deeper fill neck, a normal pressure tester does not fit/seal correctly. Any thoughts if there is a particular pressure tester or adapter i can obtain that would work? I could try to sandwich a thicker piece of rubber between the pressure tester and the inside of the neck but I'm not sure how well that would work.

More Information for LILAND GLOBAL 850AA3R

www.rockauto.com

 

[nyoffroad]

Never heard of that problem and I always seem to have the odd stuff like that happen to me! Please keep us updated on this!

 

[adf5565]

Well sadly the story gets even worse now. Somehow the pressure tester must’ve screwed up the fill neck on the radiator so now I’m leaking antifreeze past the cap each time I shut the motor off when it’s up to temp. The cap itself doesn’t seem damaged so I’m guessing it’s with the neck itself. I’d try get another cap for the sake of trying but I still have to locate a correct replacement.

 

[Jeepadict]

If you do decide a replacement is needed, myself and multiple friends have had stellar experiences with Champion Radiators in Orange, CA. Tell them you have an 84 K30 with the 6.2L Diesel and TH400...DO NOT tell them you have a CUCV, it will just confuse most folks outside our circles.

Champion Radiators for Chevy Trucks & Vans

www.championradiators.com

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[adf5565]

If you do decide a replacement is needed, myself and multiple friends have had stellar experiences with Champion Radiators in Orange, CA. Tell them you have an 84 K30 with the 6.2L Diesel and TH400...DO NOT tell them you have a CUCV, it will just confuse most folks outside our circles.

Champion Radiators for Chevy Trucks & Vans

www.championradiators.com

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

Thanks, if at all possible I am trying not to get a new radiator as mine is 1 year old but it is always good to have a backup plan. It looks like the champion radiators don't have the transmission cooler though? It says they do but at least from the picture it shows the ports only on the right side which for our trucks is the engine oil cooler. I do like the options for different core sizes.

Can you also check if this radiator accepts a standard cap or is it a "deep" style?

 

[nyoffroad]

I think I'd be talking to the people that made yours, take some pics and some measurements, preferably so they can read the measurements in the pic's. Be nice but firm, you paid for a product that would last longer than 1 year and be sure to mention that!

 

[Jeepadict]

Thanks, if at all possible I am trying not to get a new radiator as mine is 1 year old but it is always good to have a backup plan. It looks like the champion radiators don't have the transmission cooler though? It says they do but at least from the picture it shows the ports only on the right side which for our trucks is the engine oil cooler. I do like the options for different core sizes.

Can you also check if this radiator accepts a standard cap or is it a "deep" style?

I'm not under their umbrella, just giving a solution suggestion. I know all the rads I'm familiar with from them were drop in replacements. I'd reccomend a phone call to speak to them directly about your needs, as I'm doubtful that their webmaster is proficient at ensuring the picture placement 100% match for your unique application...they're often a sample of their products and have their precise match in their warehouse stock or capable to be made.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[adf5565]

I'm not any closer to answering my original questions but i've fixed the leaking cap. Essentially the Harbor Freight pressure tester bottomed out (due to the longer radiator neck) and there are 2 screws on the inside of the adapter. Those screw heads contacted the radiator neck flange and put some relatively minor but noticeable scratches into it which didn't allow the cap to seal correctly.

I did some minor cleanup on the radiator flange and put another gasket inside the cap (so 2) which tightens the cap up significantly and fixed my leak.

With regards to finding another cap, I've ordered various different caps from Radiator Express, Jegs, ACDelco RC27, and Gates 31523 and none of them fit my radiator. I would've expected the Radiator Express/Jegs caps to be different as they fit their aftermarket radiators but they are still the same as OEM. So If something goes wrong with the one I have i'll essentially have to try to repair the cap or get a new radiator.

 

[dougco1]

I'm not any closer to answering my original questions but i've fixed the leaking cap. Essentially the Harbor Freight pressure tester bottomed out (due to the longer radiator neck) and there are 2 screws on the inside of the adapter. Those screw heads contacted the radiator neck flange and put some relatively minor but noticeable scratches into it which didn't allow the cap to seal correctly.

I did some minor cleanup on the radiator flange and put another gasket inside the cap (so 2) which tightens the cap up significantly and fixed my leak.

With regards to finding another cap, I've ordered various different caps from Radiator Express, Jegs, ACDelco RC27, and Gates 31523 and none of them fit my radiator. I would've expected the Radiator Express/Jegs caps to be different as they fit their aftermarket radiators but they are still the same as OEM. So If something goes wrong with the one I have i'll essentially have to try to repair the cap or get a new radiator.

That sounds like a bad business plan for Liland Global if they want to last in business for more than a few years. I don't need a radiator yet but I wont buy one from them after hearing about your problems with their service.

 

[87cr250r]

You don't have leverage against the company anymore with your vintage truck. You might be one of 10 customers in a year. They're not going to revise any part of their product to satisfy tens of customers.

 

[Mullaney]

You don't have leverage against the company anymore with your vintage truck. You might be one of 10 customers in a year. They're not going to revise any part of their product to satisfy tens of customers.

.
Sad - But True...

 

[adf5565]

The saga continues…. I noticed lately that my coolant temps seem to rise more than normal. Still at light load stay around 195-197 but once it’s working hard rise pretty quickly to 210. I did a decent amount of work with it last summer in hotter weather and it never got past 205.

So I suspected the radiator cap (although not leaking coolant out) wasn’t sealing correctly on the inner seal which in turn wasn’t allowing the system to pressurize. I decided to open the radiator hot (motor up to temp) as if the system was working properly there would be a pressure release with coolant being blown out.

I covered everything with a couple rags/towels just to prevent hot coolant spray from going all over me in case I was wrong, but sure enough I only got the slightest hiss with not a single drop of coolant coming out. I’m guessing adding the 2nd outer seal to fix the leaky cap issue now caused the inner seal to not seat correctly.

I was able to take an inner seal off one of my extra oem caps and fit it on to the cap and double that up too. I’ll give it a test drive later in the week and see how it works.