Antifreeze problems continued....

[boat]

A couple of weeks ago we drained the radiator when we replaced my waterpump. Ever since, I have been seeing a spot of antifreeze under where the drain plug is, after the car has been driven, then parked for a while. On the drivers side. It is wet right in that area with antifreeze.

Yes, I checked it to be tight.

Is there a hose that plugs up behind that white drain plug? Is this something to be concerned about? Is it just over-filled?

Any ideas?

 

[gurucomputers]

There is no hose attached to the radiator drain plug. You may want to open the drain as there maybe some dirt causing it not to seal. If that does not solve the problem you may have the same issue I do. Radiator tank is leaking and time for a new one.

Also ig the system was over filled your fluid would be coming from the overflow tank. Pass side behind battery for ATX and mounted to pass side radiator on MTX.

 

[1995mtxsho]

Radiator end tank leak x2.

 

[shospeed]

The samething happend to me but it was the Radiator cap that wasnt sealing properly and the water was backing in to the overflow tank !!

but it can also be that the drain plug its not sealing properly !!

 

[Eric VerValin]

I told him earlier it sounded like the ends too, but his radiator is only 4 years old.... so I kinda ruled that out... granted I haven't seen it either. I am leaning towards that o ring being dried out maybe, or dirty and not sealing.

 

[shospeed]

The cap is only $3.00 !!
try that !!

 

[boat]

Something exploded!

Well guys, I went out to warm it up this morning, there was nothing, but a spot in front of the car maybe 4-6" in diameter this is what I found after it had been running for about 30 minutes. The temp gauge was in the middle of "NORMAL", so I know I didn't cook the motor. There was still frost on the windows too after 30 minutes of running at 90 degrees on the EATC. It was making a high pitched noise too.

Then I got to looking underneath on passenger side and saw this...

I think something burst or exploded somewhere, I looked all over and couldn't seem to find the source.

Then I started it again and let run for a few minutes and saw this:

There is no pressure in the system now, I can squeeze the hose.

Is this where it appears to be a hose, does this hose carry coolant? I am hoping it is only that hose, otherwise, it could be a long repair process of trying to figure out where the problem stemmed from. For a long time now, I have been finding the upper radiator hose sucked in, then once the car is warmed up, it is fine.

Could this be a thermostat problem? As I hate to say this, heater core?

I replaced the radiator cap, and it fixed it
Since we replaced the front half of the water pump, it has been doing it again.

I have no idea really, I think it is leaking there at that small hose, I looked on the radiator below the upper radiator hose and it was dry as a bone.

Now thinking about it, if the hose in the pic does carry coolant and it exploded, it would make sense that I see antifreeze in strange places and all over the place.

Help please!!!

 

[clindahl]

either the upper radiator hose, the end tanks on the radiator, or the drain ****** (I think its on that side). Reccomend you fix that ASAP and not drive - thats a pretty big leak.

if the hose (upper radiator to thermostat housing) looks okay, most likely you need a radiator because somewhere it's got a leak

 

[boat]

I am at work now, and I didn't drive it. The SHO is still at home in the driveway and not getting driven until it is fixed.

The upper radiator hose was dry all the way around it. I believe it to be at the bottom, either the drain ****** or the end tank on the driver side.

How do you fix the drain ****** or the end tank? DOH! Radiator?

Man, not directed at anyone, but with picking the car up for $1500 back in February, buying tools and parts and maintence, I have nearly $6500 in it.

I know, welcome to the wonderful world of SHO's. Great when they are fixed , and a pain the rear when broken.

either the upper radiator hose, the end tanks on the radiator, or the drain ****** (I think its on that side). Reccomend you fix that ASAP and not drive - thats a pretty big leak.

if the hose (upper radiator to thermostat housing) looks okay, most likely you need a radiator because somewhere it's got a leak

 

[Racer X]

Holy ****, you have 4 grand into it already?!

My Modine radiator is also 4 years old, and is leaking from the end tank as well. I'm replacing it this week with a double row radiator (thought I might have to go back to the smaller oil filter as a trade off ).

 

[SHOMON]

Coolant bypass hose near the oil filter? I had a radiator that leaked a month after I put it
in my 95. But the endtanks didn't let go for like a year. 1-800radiator $99 6 months no leaks yet.

 

[boat]

Update...

Well... this morning I didn't find any busted hoses. Are there any antifreeze hoses down by the drain valve on the radiator? Couldn't see any.

I refilled about a gallon of lost antifreeze from yesterday, and waited about 3 minutes after starting, and it started leaking again. I was poking around and watched very carefully, and saw a steady stream or flow of antifreeze running along the radiator support. Almost looked like it was coming from underneath the radiator.

I also noticed that my water pump was squeaking or chirping a little bit kinda like a cricket, this morning. I think that was my high pitched noise I was hearing yesterday morning when I came to the car to find the mess of antifreeze in front of it.

Is it possible to have something ruptured under the radiator, or maybe even the passenger side end tank, running along the radiator support and off the driver side end of the radiator? Is it possible for a hole to develop in the radiator core itself? Radiator is only 4 years old.

Well, it seems like it is the radiator itself and not hoses like I had hoped. I cannot see or get to the coolant bypass hose that runs by the oil filter. I have a whole new set of coolant hoses from RCM.

Might as well replace the radiator, and all the hoses, thermostat, and front motor mount. I have everything but the radiator.
WOW... Now doesn't that sound like fun?

thoughts before I dig into this excitement??? Sorry for the length, felt it necessary to share all details of what is happening and what I am thinking...

 

[1995mtxsho]

Radiator end tank leak x2.

As was said... It's the radiator. It's always the radiator, they are all junk!!!
Plastic and aluminum expand and contract at too far of different rates.
Some people have come up with better options for radiators, if you want to search, or check my Sig for a link to my TCCA garage for my solution.

 

[SHOZ123]

I had a brand new Modine leak right off the bat on the drivers side end tank. Only when cold. As soon as the coolant got hot it would expand and seal.

I recrimp the tank every time the radiator comes out or when putting in a new one.

 

[Eric VerValin]

LoL.. sorry man... by the pics yea, I'm definately thinking radiator. You have all the hoses, just swap them all, and get some shiny new fat hose clamps, and use the 5/16th's on em. It's crappy, but the hose he's talking about up there is behind the oil filter. You'd have to remove it to get it off I would imagine.

And guess where your drain pan is... lol

I guess I'll be over this weekend to help ya.. lol

 

[K-Dawg]

Go to Autozone.
Rent the Pressure Tester.
Go home.
Hook it up.
Find exactly where the leak is located.
Fix leak.

 

[boat]

Before you put this response up, I already have paid for a new radiator. I wouldn't even know how to fix the leak. If it was a hose, that would be a no brainer. But if its the radiator, then I would rather have the peace of mind in a new one, rather than one that has fixed leak. I am depending on a lot of people right now to get me to work, college, and then back home again. Not a bad thing, but I feel bad for having to ask for that help.
Thank you for the tips,

Go to Autozone.
Rent the Pressure Tester.
Go home.
Hook it up.
Find exactly where the leak is located.
Fix leak.

 

[boat]

I was just given the idea from my boss to take it to a radiator repair shop. Anyone ever had any luck with those places. There is a place here in Fort Wayne, IN, ACE Radiator, I just spoke to them on the phone, they said it would be $45 - 50 to repair. They would put in gaskets where the endtanks and the aluminum meet. Replacing the endtanks if there are any cracks or anything wrong with them, otherwise, they reuse the tanks. And I would get it back within 1 day.

Thoughts, Anyone???

 

[itwonder]

Can't comment on a shop I know nothing about, but how old is the radiator? If it is old, I would prefer a new one to a repaired one. The part cost is $100-$140 dpending on where you buy it, and it takes 1-2 hours to replace. Compare that to Ace. They could be fine if they warranty the work, and promise it will not be more than $50. you might ask Ace how much for a new one installed to compare.

 

[boat]

Would 4 years old be considered old? Maybe about 40k miles on it... I paid for a new one last night, $143.99 from Advance Auto Parts, lifetime warranty. They give a 90 day warranty at ACE and could not commit to it only being $50.

Worst case sceniario, I cannot take the new one back and have to use it. I plan on extracting the radiator out of the car tonight after 5. We'll see how that goes.
Thanks

Can't comment on a shop I know nothing about, but how old is the radiator? If it is old, I would prefer a new one to a repaired one. The part cost is $100-$140 dpending on where you buy it, and it takes 1-2 hours to replace. Compare that to Ace. They could be fine if they warranty the work, and promise it will not be more than $50. you might ask Ace how much for a new one installed to compare.