Radiator Exploded

Harold&Cat said:
Made the 180 mile drive home today , wasn't too hard on me . Now I have to heal for a couple of weeks before I can get to work on fixing the Jeep . :)
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I think it would be a VERY good idea to have at least a family doc look at the burns, just to make sure everything heals ok. Even Urgent Care would be good. Burns, even second degree, can get real serious, real quick. I mean it. Deadly serious.
 
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Harold&Cat said:
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 .

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Wow, so sorry to hear about that. Definitely will be praying for a quick recovery.
 
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Wow... that's the first time I've seen this happen..
Cracks and leaks, sure. The top cop rupturing? Nope.

I have no idea if mine is original or not so it is now on the list for replacement and possible upgrade.
Other than the Koyorad radiator mentioned what are the other options? Any of the aluminum radiators considered a worthy upgrade?
 
Happy to report that I am almost 100 percent healed and returned to normal activities .
That being said , I have installed a new Koyorad radiator , did an engine flush and installed a new Robert Shaw thermostat along with a new radiator cap . Driving with the ac on in the Louisiana 95 degree heat it stays 210 on the dash gauge . Sitting and idling with the ac on for extended periods of time it stays right at 210 degrees on the dash gauge . I don't have a OBD reader so all I can do is go by the dash gauge .
 
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Harold&Cat said:
Happy to report that I am almost 100 percent healed and returned to normal activities .
That being said , I have installed a new Koyorad radiator , did an engine flush and installed a new Robert Shaw thermostat along with a new radiator cap . Driving with the ac on in the Louisiana 95 degree heat it stays 210 on the dash gauge . Sitting and idling with the ac on for extended periods of time it stays right at 210 degrees on the dash gauge . I don't have a OBD reader so all I can do is go by the dash gauge .
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Glad to hear, Harold.
 
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hardtailpan said:
Man, just saw this, so glad it wasn't worse. I'm thinking my replacement radiator is going to be aluminum after seeing this.
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I've decided that the radiator is going to be a normal maintenance replacement item when it hits 10 years old . It will be cheap insurance to prevent another catastrophic failure .

There was much debate on the aluminum and copper radiators not holding up as well due to the flexing . I decided to go with the Koyorad based on the massive research done by @Irun .
 
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