My freakin radiator is leaking !!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
My freakin radiator is leaking !!
I was driving down the rd and i noticed my temp guage was ready 250 then it went up to 261 when the red warning idicator light came on. It then climbed to 274 F and i pulled over at a gas station and popped the hood and poured coolant inside the bucket which there seemed to be none. I then drove hoping that did the trick.. but it didnt change the situation at all and the low coolant light kept coming on and off. So it got me thinking maybe i needed a new thermostat since it mightve not been opening like it shouldve. But anyhow I parked the car when i got home... and noticed coolant leaking... from the passenger side under the radiator. The top and lower radiator hoses seem to be fine and is dry. But when i came to fill the radiator with half and half.. to let her burp when i turned on the car etc... she still leaked little droplets out onto the pavement... It seemed to be coming in from the casing that covered the bottom of the raditor. When i let the car run for a while.. the drivers side of the radiator started leaking bad from under the casing as well. This got me to thinking that I may have a crack in my radiator... Any ideas on what I can do to save the most money as possible.. since money aint flowing too good these days. :nonod:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: My freakin radiator is leaking !! (87vette)
Hope you didn't pour cold coolant into a hot radiator.
Anyway it could be your radiator or might just be a side tank. The radiator is repairable and the tank is replaceable. I'd pull it and go to a good radiator shop and see what they would charge to fix it.
Pete
Anyway it could be your radiator or might just be a side tank. The radiator is repairable and the tank is replaceable. I'd pull it and go to a good radiator shop and see what they would charge to fix it.
Pete
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Re: My freakin radiator is leaking !! (PeteL)
Are you speaking of the side overflow tank ? If that is so.. then the overflow tank is completly dry... Also I poured coolant into the car 2 days later after sitting... so its not a case of if the car was still hot or not. How easy is it to remove a radiator ? and how long does it normally take with the right tools ?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Escondido CA
Re: My freakin radiator is leaking !! (87vette)
87 vette takes me about 10 mins to get the rad out. The shop I used to work for charged 40 bucks for a rad repair plus the tank(s) if needed. Pallpark- tanks are about 50 bucks or so --but this depends alot on how rare/ common a tank is. You have about a 50/50 shot on whether the tank is cracked. Also, check you cooling system thouroughly when you put the rad back in. A lot of times the overheat itself damages the rad and there is still a problem that cause the initial overheat. Be very carefull when dealing with your cooling system--I have had the misfortune of getting sprayed with 230 degree coolant --and it aint no fun :eek:
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Escondido CA
Re: My freakin radiator is leaking !! (87vette)
Radiators expand and contract normally. With age the plastic gets brittle and zowee A crack. When you overheat it puts enormous pressure on the rad and will cause it to fail prematurely. I have heard them pop before --the coolant will actually do a volcano thing.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Re: My freakin radiator is leaking !! (xzvs)
I did hear a popping crackling sound as you were describing. I also noticed the coolant was bubbling as well. I hope this doesnt turn into a bigger problem. I'm pretty much stranded right now from the looks of this until I get someone to give me a hand with this.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Escondido CA
Re: My freakin radiator is leaking !! (87vette)
Well tell you what --plan on a new t-stat anyway --should always be changed after an overheat. Once you get it all together --fill it and pressure test it --fix any other leaks and look real hard at the water pump weephole --if it even has a stain on it replace that pump. One thats all taken care of --start the car check for proper t-stat operation --and make sure your fan cycles on and off 2 times with just the heat of the engine (a/c off) Tell them also to rod out your rad while they have it apart. Most do it automatically but some rad guys are idiots too.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Re: My freakin radiator is leaking !! (xzvs)
Well my girlfriend's father came over and did a pressure test on the radiator. He sells auto parts for a living which is to the best of my luck. As he was testing it... you can hear the coolant spurting out from somewhere on top of the radiator. Sounded like a cat hissing. But other than that he poured some sealant in it to plug it up for the time being... with the pressure which rises when the car is turned on. But when off it leaks as usual. The good news is that he was able to get me a brand new radiator for only 96 bucks ! So hes coming over tmw to show me how to replace a radiator for the first time. I guess my luck is changing after all ! Thanks for the help. :)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: My freakin radiator is leaking !! (87vette)
...my girlfriend's father came over and did a pressure test on the radiator...he was able to get me a brand new radiator for only 96 bucks...hes coming over tmw to show me how to replace a radiator for the first time....
Eric
