Coolant leak from radiator - 05
08-05-2009, 08:29 AM
#1
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Coolant leak from radiator - 05
Looks like my radiator is leaking, only when cold. Car parked, leak is coming from the passenger side of the radiator. I can't feel or see any liquid leaking from the water pump or any hoses, it just seems to be coming from the side of the radiator, though the specific spot is blocked from view.
When hot it doesn't leak.
I know, not enough information, but think this is fixable or should I just replace the radiator?
Any hints on how to drain the system without a huge mess?
When hot it doesn't leak.
I know, not enough information, but think this is fixable or should I just replace the radiator?
Any hints on how to drain the system without a huge mess?
08-05-2009, 08:41 AM
#2
Safety Car
I would suspect the water pump vs. the radiator as your description matches what a pump does when it fails. In any case, both are repairable. I would take it in and have a pressure test done to see if the actual problem can be issolated. good luck!
08-10-2009, 12:32 PM
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I'm probably wrong, just don't get how I could be missing a leak from the pump?
08-10-2009, 05:41 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
Please keep us posted on what you find. My '05 seems to be okay there, but the water pump is definitely in a different area than the radiator for leaks. Not sure why it would not leak when warm...or you just dont notice it.
08-10-2009, 05:54 PM
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
I had the exact same problem on my 05 as well. Radiator drips on passenger side only when car sits cold for 2 or 3 days.
The culprit is that the plastic sides of the radiator are held to the aluminum center part of the radiator by gaskets ( one on each side) and a bunch of metal clips.
Theose clips will relax a bit causing the leak. When car is hot, the gasket swells up and stops the leak.
I was skeptical at first, but I put some Barr's stop leak in the tank and let the engine idle for 30 minutes. That was 3 months ago, leak has stopped. no clogging or overheating issues whatsoever, and the car has been in 90+ temps, with the AC on and a supercharger to boot.
It worked for me !
I used the liquid form.
The culprit is that the plastic sides of the radiator are held to the aluminum center part of the radiator by gaskets ( one on each side) and a bunch of metal clips.
Theose clips will relax a bit causing the leak. When car is hot, the gasket swells up and stops the leak.
I was skeptical at first, but I put some Barr's stop leak in the tank and let the engine idle for 30 minutes. That was 3 months ago, leak has stopped. no clogging or overheating issues whatsoever, and the car has been in 90+ temps, with the AC on and a supercharger to boot.
It worked for me !
I used the liquid form.
