'96 Coolant leak...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
'96 Coolant leak...
This is in regard to a '96 CE with LT4 and ZF6...
I have a newly discovered coolant leak, coming from the passenger side. Does not look to be coming from the lower radiator hose, or drain petcock. With the car running, it's a pretty bad leak...and it heats up fast, so I shut it off. It still leaks after the car has cooled down, though quite a bit less. Any tips on finding out where it's coming from? Am I looking at needing a new radiator? Big job? What are some of the best replacements? Big price range there...$50-$700+! Any other "while you're in there" type things I should consider replacing? Will post pics in a bit, but it's a hard spot to photograph...
I should note, that I just finished a cooling system service. I can't think of anything I might have done that could have caused this. Could I have flushed out some sort of stop leak from a previous owner, or worse yet...pepper?
Thanks!
I have a newly discovered coolant leak, coming from the passenger side. Does not look to be coming from the lower radiator hose, or drain petcock. With the car running, it's a pretty bad leak...and it heats up fast, so I shut it off. It still leaks after the car has cooled down, though quite a bit less. Any tips on finding out where it's coming from? Am I looking at needing a new radiator? Big job? What are some of the best replacements? Big price range there...$50-$700+! Any other "while you're in there" type things I should consider replacing? Will post pics in a bit, but it's a hard spot to photograph...
I should note, that I just finished a cooling system service. I can't think of anything I might have done that could have caused this. Could I have flushed out some sort of stop leak from a previous owner, or worse yet...pepper?
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
Yea, it is looking that way. Thanks very much...I might very well take you up on that gracious offer! Can I send you a prepaid UPS shipping label?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 1,312
From: LeClaire Iowa
Yes, I will PM my address. Luckily I kept the Dewitts box. I will do everything in my power to pack so it arrives undamaged. Dan
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 1,312
From: LeClaire Iowa
I am not an expert. This radiator is out of an LT1 96 automatic. Will it work in a LT4? Can you just leave the plugs in the transmission cooler connections? Dan
Last edited by Whaleman; Jun 14, 2018 at 08:57 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,268
Likes: 142
From: Ottawa Ontario
The Spectra replacement rad I bought for my LT4 had auto transmission fittings with plastic caps on them. I assume all OEM style replacements have them.
Not sure I would go through all the effort to R&R the rad in these cars with a used one of the same vintage. Used to be said it's not a matter of "if" the plastic side tanks will leak but "when".
Not sure I would go through all the effort to R&R the rad in these cars with a used one of the same vintage. Used to be said it's not a matter of "if" the plastic side tanks will leak but "when".
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 1,312
From: LeClaire Iowa
The Spectra replacement rad I bought for my LT4 had auto transmission fittings with plastic caps on them. I assume all OEM style replacements have them.
Not sure I would go through all the effort to R&R the rad in these cars with a used one of the same vintage. Used to be said it's not a matter of "if" the plastic side tanks will leak but "when".
Not sure I would go through all the effort to R&R the rad in these cars with a used one of the same vintage. Used to be said it's not a matter of "if" the plastic side tanks will leak but "when".
I agree on some level. My used radiator only has 27,000 miles and was garage kept. All depends on how you value your labor time and how much extra cash you have laying around. Dan
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 491
Likes: 40
From: Mardi Gras City
St. Jude Donor '19
The Spectra replacement rad I bought for my LT4 had auto transmission fittings with plastic caps on them. I assume all OEM style replacements have them.
Not sure I would go through all the effort to R&R the rad in these cars with a used one of the same vintage. Used to be said it's not a matter of "if" the plastic side tanks will leak but "when".
Not sure I would go through all the effort to R&R the rad in these cars with a used one of the same vintage. Used to be said it's not a matter of "if" the plastic side tanks will leak but "when".
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 1,312
From: LeClaire Iowa
The Spectra replacement rad I bought for my LT4 had auto transmission fittings with plastic caps on them. I assume all OEM style replacements have them.
Not sure I would go through all the effort to R&R the rad in these cars with a used one of the same vintage. Used to be said it's not a matter of "if" the plastic side tanks will leak but "when".
Not sure I would go through all the effort to R&R the rad in these cars with a used one of the same vintage. Used to be said it's not a matter of "if" the plastic side tanks will leak but "when".
RUU, You actually got me thinking about different stages of life.(I know your post was not meant to be this deep). I remember back in 1972 rebuilding a free locked up 62 chevy 6 in my driveway. Beating each piston out with a sledge hammer and 2x4. Put in new rings and bearings and some junkyard parts and it ran great for years. At this point of my life (66) would I install this radiator? No, that is why I put in the Dewitt just for fun. Could this radiator work for 75k miles-YES. Could it fail next week-YES. If the radiator was shot on that old 62 Chevy and someone offered me a free used one would I have put in in-Oh hell yes. Funny story- the same 62 chevy. I needed new tires. I knew a guy with a towing company. He called and had a totaled new car with the same size tire. The car was totaled but the tires were fine. For $20.00 he switched my worn out tires with the totaled out cars tires. I am sure the insurance adjuster totaled this car from 50 feet away. I guess it all depends where you are in life and finance. What I am sure of there is someone who would take the time to put this radiator in.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 1,173
From: Southlake, TX
My suggestion is to buy a factory spec radiator (yes with plastic caps) and install it (mostly) trouble free.
Unless your engine is seriously modified, the OEM will do just great. Plus, the price will be reasonable. The swap will be tedious but not hard.
Unless your engine is seriously modified, the OEM will do just great. Plus, the price will be reasonable. The swap will be tedious but not hard.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
Changing the rad on a 2nd Gen C4 is not a "fun" job - but it's not truly horrible either. There are six 7mm head bolts that hold the plastic clamshell together in the front of the car. Those ARE a real PITA. You typically use a 1/4" drive ratchet and various combination of Universals, extensions, and handles and eventually you'll get them. BTW - I have found that you don't need to reinstall all six... The rest of the rad R&R job isn't too too bad.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 1,312
From: LeClaire Iowa
Changing the rad on a 2nd Gen C4 is not a "fun" job - but it's not truly horrible either. There are six 7mm head bolts that hold the plastic clamshell together in the front of the car. Those ARE a real PITA. You typically use a 1/4" drive ratchet and various combination of Universals, extensions, and handles and eventually you'll get them. BTW - I have found that you don't need to reinstall all six... The rest of the rad R&R job isn't too too bad.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
My apologies...been meaning to get back to you, and everyone else that has posted. I haven't been able to find a decent rate on my end. Everything has been $40-$60, and considering the cost of a new one, it's had me thinking a bit. I am sorry if I appear ungrateful, and sorry if I have wasted any of your time. Just been looking into options/alternatives a bit to help decide. Any idea on shipping from your end? If not, it's okay. If I can get it down a bit, I might still want to try it, but if not, maybe someone closer can benefit from it. Can you give me another night to see if any better price comes up? Again, thanks very much...whatever happens!
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 1,312
From: LeClaire Iowa
Hey Dan!
My apologies...been meaning to get back to you, and everyone else that has posted. I haven't been able to find a decent rate on my end. Everything has been $40-$60, and considering the cost of a new one, it's had me thinking a bit. I am sorry if I appear ungrateful, and sorry if I have wasted any of your time. Just been looking into options/alternatives a bit to help decide. Any idea on shipping from your end? If not, it's okay. If I can get it down a bit, I might still want to try it, but if not, maybe someone closer can benefit from it. Can you give me another night to see if any better price comes up? Again, thanks very much...whatever happens!
My apologies...been meaning to get back to you, and everyone else that has posted. I haven't been able to find a decent rate on my end. Everything has been $40-$60, and considering the cost of a new one, it's had me thinking a bit. I am sorry if I appear ungrateful, and sorry if I have wasted any of your time. Just been looking into options/alternatives a bit to help decide. Any idea on shipping from your end? If not, it's okay. If I can get it down a bit, I might still want to try it, but if not, maybe someone closer can benefit from it. Can you give me another night to see if any better price comes up? Again, thanks very much...whatever happens!