Hi bought a new CSF2314 Radiator - 3-row, Metal core, Metal tank and it looks impressive. I noticed two small pipes coming from the bottom of the radiator that I have nothing to hook to. One beside the lower hose and one beside the drain plug. I ran water through it and it did not leak out of them. Do I have to cap them off or just leave them alone? What are they for?

 

I think those are tranny cooler lines. Do you have a manual?

 

Yep a manual.

 

They're transmission cooling lines. Otherwise, unused because your truck is a manual. don't worry, transmission fluid simply passes through there to keep cool from the radiator. So no, your radiator will not leak fluid.

This is just how most radiator companies make radiators nowadays. saves on costs on making either or.

 

With a manual, I'd connect those two tranny coolers ports together with a piece of hose so if the interface between the tranny cooler and main rad fails you don't lose your coolant.

 

AHA! I've wondered what they are, too. Thanks

Good idea! Thanks, for the tip, rworegon.

 

That sounds like a good idea, but that would be very disappointing for a new radiator to even think about happening. Thanks for the info fellows.

 

I agree that a new dad should not fail in that way. I just figure I'm not giving the coolant the easy escape just in case it does.

 

heh. as clever as that sounds, the automatic transmission cooler attachment really does nothing for a manual. it wont lose coolant if you don't plug them. its literally there so that transmission fluid can PASS through into the radiator and "cool off" from the radiator fluid around it.

No harm no foul from plugging or not plugging them.

 

You could plug them simply to prevent any dirt or debris from entering but it doesn't really matter. It will never leak unless it's a junk radiator. Most radiators have those nipples for auto tranny coolers.

 

When I replaced my radiator last year on my 93 4x4, the radiator came with plugs installed and the transmission spigots loose if I needed to use them. If your radiator came with the plugs, I would plug them so stuff don't crawl in the openings. Either way though no harm in leaving them unplugged as the previous poster mentioned.

 

I fully realize it does nothing for a manual, however, I tend to error on the side of caution and plug them if not used. My 0.02.....

 

hmm... maybe...
... run a hose through one those ports to the cabin for hot water on demand for coffee while driving
... If driving through especially hot areas drip cool water back into that chamber, to help the radiator...
... at camp, hook up tap to one nipple, a shower head to the other...

 

I like your thinking^ lol

 

Where the heck is the "Like" button?... OK here it is... LOL


Welcome to Yotatech, and clean truck!

 

Plug them to avoid any unnecessary corrosion there...

You could also run your powersteering or even possibly oil through there to cool as well...

Prefilter the oil however...

 

I got those on my manual truck too. They're not being used so I was thinking of running hose from the existing oil cooler to these ports and using them as a secondary engine oil cooler.

Anyone have opinions on that?

Think that's too far for motor oil to travel?

Is there enough pressure to get that through there?

95 3.0

 

Engine oil pressure is much higher than coolant or tranny pressure under normal operations.

Is the built-in radiator tranny cooler designed to handle the higher pressures? Who knows.....maybe it is, maybe it is not. Failure would be deadly to your engine.

If you feel the need for additional oil cooling, it may be best to buy a dedicated oil cooler.

 

I agree with rworegon. Potential catastrophic failure outweighs potential benefit.
Even if radiator can handle the oil pressure, plumbing between engine block and radiator is unnecessary exposure.

 

Real talk. Thanks gentlemen.