Coolant leak

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 19, 2006 | 12:35 AM

BIG K

Thread Starter

Pro

Joined: Nov 1999

Posts: 659

Likes: 0

From: Woodland Ca

Coolant leak

I am loosing coolant on both sides of the radiator ('89). I cannot see where it is leaking from. It's (they) not coming from a hose. There is however coolant coming from the top driver's side where the radiator shroud bolts together. And it drips down on the outside of the radiator. The leaks occur while the car is hot, after driving it.

I also see steam coming from the right(passenger) side of the radiator close to where the sensor is plugged into the radiator.

Both seem to be coming from underneath the cover for the radiator.

Is it possible that the leaks are coming from the radiator?

What's next? Pressure testing the radiator, or is there something I missed?

Thanks!

Oct 19, 2006 | 01:14 AM

John A. Marker

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 5,107

Likes: 171

From: Dublin CA

Dead

My bet is that yours is dead. My 85 had plastic instead of metal at the top and bottom. Pressurize the system and it should leak like a sieve. I think you will end up replacing it.

Oct 19, 2006 | 01:53 AM

JrsTurn

Racer

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 329

Likes: 0

From: Antioch California

Oct 19, 2006 | 10:48 AM

CFI-EFI

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 17,298

Likes: 33

From: The Top of Utah

Hogwash! Pull the radiator and take it to a shop for a leak test. You may just have a leak(s) in the gasket where the plastic SIDE tanks are crimped to the aluminum core. Or you may have a cracked or broken plastic SIDE tank. The radiator shop can reseal or replace a side tank. I have had tanks replaced, twice. I still have my original radiator core and it cools like a champ. IF you have to buy a radiator, make sure you get one with an aluminum core like the factory radiator. Modine is an excellent choice.

RACE ON!!!

Last edited by CFI-EFI; Oct 19, 2006 at 10:56 AM.

Oct 19, 2006 | 02:14 PM

BIG K

Thread Starter

Pro

Joined: Nov 1999

Posts: 659

Likes: 0

From: Woodland Ca

Yea, I've had radiators pressure tested before and fixed and they still work fine.
What I was looking for in this thread is there anything other than the radiator under the cover where it could be leading from that I can't see? Is there any tubes, hoses etc where a leak can come from?

Thanks!

Oct 19, 2006 | 08:49 PM

RRT vette

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 8,753

Likes: 9

From: Louisiana

From experience, I had a leak that obviously was coming from the radiator, but couldn't tell where. I pulled the radiator and filled it with water. Right away I noticed a hole in the fins about middle ways across that water was coming from. I didn't buy a radiator or take it to a shop. I just used JB weld as a temporary fix and it's been almost a year since and still no leak. Though I know it could leave me stranded one day.