Cadillac & LaSalle Club Discussion Forum

Cadillac & LaSalle Club Forums => Technical / Authenticity => Topic started by: Vania Stepani on May 20, 2017, 01:50:11 AM

Title: 1958 Cadillac coupe Deville radiator issues
Post by: Vania Stepani on May 20, 2017, 01:50:11 AM
Hey everyone, I'm new to this forum. I need some help with my 58, I seem to be having some radiator or water pump issues. overtime I take my car out for a drive. about an hour into the drive I start to smell radiator fluid, I pull over and theres radiator fluid everywhere

Ive just changed the thermostat... 180 degree and flushed the system with new radiator fluid 50/50 mix green

Please help.

Thanks
Title: Re: 1958 Cadillac coupe Deville radiator issues
Post by: David Greenburg on May 20, 2017, 02:18:25 AM
Bad radiator cap?  I assume there are no visible leaks from radiator or hoses.
Title: Re: 1958 Cadillac coupe Deville radiator issues
Post by: Roger Zimmermann on May 20, 2017, 03:14:50 AM
Put the cooling system under pressure (there are tools just for that) then you will see what is leaking. It can be the pump, the radiator, hoses, heater core...We have no idea about the condition from your car, (restored or not, maintenance) but you should know it.
Title: Re: 1958 Cadillac coupe Deville radiator issues
Post by: The Tassie Devil(le) on May 20, 2017, 03:17:37 AM
Make sure that you are using a Radiator Cap that is suited for the opening in the Radiator, and not a later model type.

The original ones were designed to release the pressure, and excess water, but not return the coolant as it cooled down.

Bruce. >:D
Title: Re: 1958 Cadillac coupe Deville radiator issues
Post by: Vania Stepani on November 12, 2017, 10:04:09 PM
Hey everyone,

I found one issue and it was the radiator cap. The cap was only 13lbs, which needed to be 16lbs because my car came with factory AC.
This isn't the only issue so, I've decided to replace all the hoses and and recoil the radiator.
Title: Re: 1958 Cadillac coupe Deville radiator issues
Post by: ramcharger on November 14, 2017, 07:12:02 AM
Fantastic looking car,well done...
Title: Re: 1958 Cadillac coupe Deville radiator issues
Post by: fishnjim on November 14, 2017, 08:25:24 PM
Might also be the water pump.   There's a vent hole behind the fan pulley.   When the seal leaks, water comes out.   You can lose fluid slowly while driving and then when the level gets low, it'll overheat and boil over everywhere.   There should be a tube on the cap outlet to direct the overflow down to the ground.   Can be replaced if missing when radiator fixed.
I thought I had a radiator leak in mine, had the rad recored, put it back, and did the same thing.  I changed the hoses and it still leaked.   That's when I found the pump leak.   
Title: Re: 1958 Cadillac coupe Deville radiator issues
Post by: Vania Stepani on November 21, 2017, 12:36:56 AM
Ive decided to Rebuilt the Radiator and the water pump, I'm also going to replace the fluid to a waterless Evans fluid. what are your thoughts?
Title: Re: 1958 Cadillac coupe Deville radiator issues
Post by: Cadillac Jack 82 on November 21, 2017, 02:01:01 PM

I had a similar problem in my 57 and it ended up being a faulty heather core.  I routed the hoses back into the water pump and the engine stays nice and cool.