Coolant puke

[NotSoSlowSHO]

This is an interesting one, to say the least. I figure it might be radiator time, but lets see what SHOforum has to say

First of all, let me say that this 'daily driver' is more of a 'drive once a week... MAYBE' car. So it is tough to troubleshoot things, as Im not in it every day.

A few weeks ago, just out of the blue my daily driver SHO decided to puke up a bunch of coolant. No immediate changes prior, I dont think the hood had even been opened for 2 months. Car showed no leaks prior, and it puked up the coolant 20-30 minutes AFTER I got home. As in, when it cooled down.

Normal running temps, T-stat functioning properly, etc.

First thing I did was sway the radiator cap for a new one, and add some coolant.

The wife took the car a week later, and same problem. No leak when running, and just decides to puke a bunch of coolant (Im talking, maybe 2-3 qts)

With the garage full of construction junk, I havnt had the time to get the thing off the ground. I did crawl under it a bit, and it looks to be coming from both sides of the radiator. But it is probably leaking from one side, and making its way to the other along the radiator support.


Thoughts?

 

[TopGunnYFZ]

Both of my cars Gen 1 and Gen 2 are leakin out of the radiator, seems to be the top portion of the radiator on the drivers side. I looked around and no hoses were leakin or wet so it is the radiator itself. Shoot for 100$ from RCM im just going to put new ones both cars.

From what i seen looking around on here the seals in them tend to take a crap after the years.

 

[Devin]

Sometimes the crimps on the plastic sides fail. I had that happen on my GL once.

 

[yzstud]

i have had 3 of my prior shos leak at the end tanks, you can either recrimp them yourself, or buy the better crimped radiators

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

This radiator is just 4years and just 24k miles old.

Could it be bad already?

 

[Devin]

Age doesn't have a whole lot to do with anything. Even new stuff can be defective. Just try and track down the location of the leak.

 

[gurucomputers]

Just curious. Does anyone make an all metal radiator for the SHO? I hate plastic tanks. I need to replace mine this summer and would like to put in an all metal one.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Just wanted to provide an update to this.

With a road trip coming up, I tore into it.

Radiator is fine. No leaks. Cap is fine, holds correct pressure.

The culprit was a small crack on the bottom of the overflow tank. As it would happen, the only replacement tank I have on hand form the project SHO has a similar crack forming. So I cleaned it up, and sealed it up with epoxy.

Curious question though, does the overflow tank see any kind of real pressure? Im still trying to figure out why it pukes when it does.

 

[St Louis SHO]

I've seen this on many, many SHO's. They only leak when hot, after driving. Can't tell you why, but they do.

*maybe... they crack on the seam*

My thought on your first thing without readin much, I was thinking a buildup of dirt between the radiator/condensor. (been runnin into that alot latley here)

- James