Radiator Exploded

[Harold&Cat]

Had a great time Tuesday riding around the Ouachita Mountains around Lake Winona . The trails we hit weren't bad , just a few washouts to navigate . They were plenty deep enough to lay the Jeep on it's side if not careful , but we made it without incident. The Cooper Discoverer Stronghold tires had excellent traction . The Jeep was running a little warmer than it usually does but it was just a little over 210 , normally it stays just under 210 . On the trip back to the coach it started getting hot each time we stopped at a light or stop sign , probably around 230 degrees . It never got in the red on the gauge . Once we arrived , I was gonna open the hood and check the fan clutch and to let it cool down . Just as I was about to reach in to release the safety latch , the radiator Exploded. It sent boiling water/antifreeze right out the front hitting me in the stomach , right arm and right hand . I immediately turned and jumped backwards while at the same time pulling my shirt away from my skin . I quickly removed my shirt and went in the coach , stripped down and got in the shower to rinse in cold water . I am familiar with burns and treatment so I had the necessary medical supplies on hand . I ended up with 1st and 2nd degree burns on half my stomach and minor 1st degree burns on my right hand and arm . Today is my first day out of the coach . Now I just have to keep the area clean and treated to prevent infection . Hopefully I'll be up for the drive home on Monday .
After healing , it will be time for a new radiator and thermostat for starters .

I feel truly blessed that it wasn't worse, luckily the hood was not open with me looking at it . God was looking out for me and the heeling is going well .

 

[BC Moto]

WOW thats some luck it wasnt worse.

 

[JMT]

That timing is crazy. Sorry that happened. Glad it wasn’t worse. Get well.

 

[Ashim]

So sorry that you got burned and thankful it wasn't worse. Last year at the end of the Penn's Woods Jeep Jamboree, I opened the hood to air up my tires and noticed seepage at the top tank of my radiator. I didn't dare touch it, closed the hood after airing up and made the drive home without incident. Replaced it with a NAPA radiator. Can't complain about 20 years on the original.

 

[hosejockey61]

That happened to @Bob in Texas while in Holy Cross (Colorado), but not to that extent! Geez

 

[OldBuzzard]

Wow! I'm glad you're on the mend.

@Irun just did a review of a bunch of radiators in his "It Just Happened" thread starting here.

 

[Apparition]

Wow. I was at the back of mine grabbing a water out of the cooler when mine blew and today I realize I should be thankful it happened as it did.

Hope it all heals well.

 

[Harold&Cat]

Wow! I'm glad you're on the mend.

@Irun just did a review of a bunch of radiators in his "It Just Happened" thread starting here.

Thanks for the link .
Ordering the Koyorad A2102 based on Irun's research which was very informative , thank you sir. Also ordered a Robert Shaw 330-195 thermostat based on macLeanflood recommendation.

 

[KennethS]

Was that the original radiator?

The original in mine blew apart similar to yours, but with the wife driving on the interstate. She immediately called me, I told her to keep driving to the nearby exit (way too many people get hit on the side of the highway here), and the Jeep stalled halfway up the off-ramp. Towed it home, expecting a cracked or warped head, or a blown head gasket, but no damage beyond the radiator. Installed a new radiator and all has been well for 10 years now.

 

[bbaldwin237]

Dang, that's awful! Also glad it wasn't worse and that you're moving towards recovery. Hopefully you and the Jeep will both be fully operational again very soon!

 

[Harold&Cat]

Was that the original radiator?

The original in mine blew apart similar to yours, but with the wife driving on the interstate. She immediately called me, I told her to keep driving to the nearby exit (way too many people get hit on the side of the highway here), and the Jeep stalled halfway up the off-ramp. Towed it home, expecting a cracked or warped head, or a blown head gasket, but no damage beyond the radiator. Installed a new radiator and all has been well for 10 years now.

Yes , as far as I know it was original . I was planning on buying one soon since it was 21 years old . I suppose I should not have waited . It hadn't given us any trouble until Tuesday , before that it was running normal temperature driving or idling with the ac on it would always stay very close to 210 degrees .

 

[ChasUGC]

It sounds to me like something caused your thermostat to not open(fail) and build extreme pressure. When it finally opened, Kaboom! I would check the overflow and look for gelled coolant or sand in the bottom. Regardless, I would definitely do a flush, and rinse until it is clear, before replacing the radiator. Then, refill with a single color, same type coolant. Don't mix coolant types.

 

[KennethS]

Yes , as far as I know it was original . I was planning on buying one soon since it was 21 years old . I suppose I should not have waited . It hadn't given us any trouble until Tuesday , before that it was running normal temperature driving or idling with the ac on it would always stay very close to 210 degrees .

Same as mine. The plastic tanks get weak with age, and with the 18 psi pressure all it takes is a small crack to propagate into a big blowout due to the pressure.

 

[TokenJo]

That is crazy, I cant imagine having that happen. Glad you're okay and hopefully heal up.

 

[Zorba]

Holy Goddess Mother!

Makes me think of an old steam boiler blowing up!

 

[andyj]

Wtf! I somehow thought there is some kind of safety valve. Get well soon, mate!

 

[OkieJoe]

That’s crazy! Glad that you’re on the mend, and it wasn’t a worse outcome. At least you’re in some beautiful country while you’re healing up.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Wtf! I somehow thought there is some kind of safety valve. Get well soon, mate!

There is – the radiator cap. But the tank weakened to the point where it failed to contain the 18 psi which would have opened the cap.

Harold - that’s quite a story and I’m glad it was not worse (although, it was still bad), and that you are on the mend. Hope you are back to 100% soon.

 

[Harold&Cat]

Hopefully we all learned or were reminded of the danger of having a 20 year old radiator . I will definitely not be getting close to it if it is anywhere over the normal operating temperature . Even new parts can fail . The temperature gauge never got in the red and no warning lights were on , I believe the radiator was just weak from age . I was very blessed not to have been seriously injured and mamed for life . With proper care and a couple of weeks I should be back to normal . Then I'll get LJ back on the road .

 

[dcoop]

Glad you're okay. My wife almost got blasted by hot anti-freeze last year. The lower radiator hose popped off just as she hopped back up in the jeep. Learned a lesson there by not using the proper hose clamps. Then a month later in the exact same spot my radiator exploded due to the plastic tank on top splitting open.