leaking coolant

[metallicasho]

It only seems to leak in the morning after I drive around for about 2 or 3 minutes. Later in the day when the engine is warm it does not leak. The leaking is coming from under the radiator in the middle. I can't quite see where it is coming from. I cheked the overflow tank and there was just enough in there to cover the senor. I put some more anti-freeze in there.

Also, I bought some leak stop stuff called AlumaSeal. How do I use it? The coolant in the overflow tank doen't seem to move, do I need to take of that cap that says,"do not remove" on the radiator, and pour it in there?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[sdpatt]

The most common source of leaks on the radiator itself are the seals between the plastic end tanks and the metal tube section. It is usually easier and quicker to replace the radiator than to have the seals replaced. The Aluma Seal will probably slow or stop the leak, for a while, but any of the stop leak proucts are temporary only and may result in faster water pump seal failure or tube plugging.

 

[SW SHO]

I might suggest you find the source of the leak BEFORE putting the stop leak stuff in.

If you have an hour and a local garage shop, have them do a pressure test. I thought my radiator core was leaking at the seals, but in fact one of the TB hoses was leaking at the clamp running down another hose down near the **** valve and it appeared like it was from the seals of the radiator.

I went to a friends who happened to have the tools, I spotted the leak. A leak that would have continued even after the Stop Leak I bought, but never used.

Many here will not advise using such a fluid, but I personally don't think it harmfull.

 

[89 black SHO mtx]

i used to work in a radiator shop way back when. i have seen forst hand what stop leak and other leak inhibitors due to a radiator or water passage ways in the motor. you know the small ones near the head gasket!!! my advice to you is trash the stop leak and take itto a garage and have it pressure tested. stop leak is ok if your out away from home and use it on the highway to get to a shop near home and have it flushed out afterwards

 

[SHOZ123]

Don't use the Aluma Seal, it will clog your heater core. Get some Bars Leaks.

 

[metallicasho]

Thanks for the advice guys. I am not going to use the stop leak stuff. Everyone I have talked to including you guys have said its not good for the car. I am going to take to the shop pretty soon.

But why does it only leak in the morning when the car is cold? Could that mean it is hose or clamp mabey, that can be repaired easily.

 

[Off Road SHO]

Think about it. Cold equals shrinkage, hot equals expandage(?). One of the bad things about the crimp-on radiator caps is their inability to expand and contract at the same rate as the rest of the radiator. The o-ring or whatever they put in there can only accomodate so much gap between two mating parts. Good luck.

Tom