Coolant leaking

[N3FOL]

I have a slow coolant leak everytime I drive my car coming from the driver side right below the radiator drain plug. I could not 100% locate the source of the leak, but I think it is coming from the T-connector right below the drain plug. One of the rubber hose coming from the top of the engine has a small crack...but still not sure if that is the source. What is this T-connector called located below the radiator drain plug? Where is the hose connected to that comes from the top of the engine to the T-connector (vertical)? Your inputs are greatly appreciated.

 

[Rockledge]

That small T-Connector below the drain plug with the rubber hoses attached is not related to the cooling system and therefore it would not be leaking coolant...I think maybe it just looks that way to you.

I recently replaced my radiator because of a hole that had developed in one of the tanks, right near where the upper radiator hose clamps onto the radiator inlet tube. The escaping coolant was running down the radiator and ended up dripping off of that same T-Connector you are talking about, which made it look like that is where the leak was comin from.

You should continue to look around for the true source of the leak (it took me a few days to find mine).

Good luck!

 

[N3FOL]

Rockledge...thanks for the reply. Yesterday afternoon, I noticed coolant dripping down near the T-connector below the drain plug. After taking a closer look underneathe, coolant appears to be coming from above the drain plug. ... I tightened both clamps on the upper radiator hose and went straight home. Once inside the garage, I placed the car on jack stands and there was no leak to be found. This has been going off an on for a few weeks now. Sometimes there is a leak and sometimes there is no leak. I will continue to monitor this situation as you suggested. Currently, my SHO has 120K and I have never replaced my radiator since 1995. What is the lifespan of radiators in our SHO?

 

[Rockledge]

At 120K, I'd have to say that if you still have the original radiator in your SHO, then it's right at the stage where it can break down at any time. I had a '93 Sable and the radiator blew at 110K, and as I said, I had to replace the one in my SHO just recently at 137K, so that's what my experience tells me.