Radiator Leaking?

[Dr. Tweak]

Well, I've been trying to figure out where my coolant is leaking out, and i think maybe it's coming from the radiator. There is a very small but regular leak from the driver's side, about 4 inches up, i THINK. I went ahead and took the radiator out because I couldn't see a thing, but it's in really good shape. I'm thinking of smearing some epoxy all over the area and then running some stopleak through it... i just can't afford a radiator right now... any thoughts?

 

[sdpatt]

The epoxy has very little chance of stopping a leak. The Stop Leak can do it, but then you have Stop Leak in your cooling system. Chances are the end tank seals are leaking. This is the most common source of leaks on our radiators: the rubber seals where the composite end tanks meet the aluminum core section.

The radiator for our SHOs is the same as used for the Taurus. Below are some sources and prices. They are not that expensive. The Go Dan (GDI) radiator also has the ATF fluid cooler in the passenger side end tank and can be used on both the 3.0L and 3.2L SHOs. I purchased my GDI radiator through Pep Boys with a lifetime warranty. I'll probably be collecting on that warranty some day.

The Stop Leak can be a temporary fix, but you will need to replace the radiator and flush the cooling system following the use of that product.

 

[masho95]

Scott, below where are the sources and prices? I got my replacement radiator from www.radiators.com Cost = $130 and it was at my door the next day. The unit they sent out also has the ATF cooler on the passenger side end tank for those ATX's out there. If you can afford the $130 for the radiator and install it yourself, I'd go that route rather than injecting stop-leak in the cooling system.

 

[Dr. Tweak]

Well, I got it all back together today, it seems like it's working fine.... at least for now.
I will get a new radiator as soon as i get some cash.

I did use epoxy along the seams where the plastic meets the aluminum, and I also used stop leak. It's holding! thumb

Of course this is after spending like and hour getting a nut I lost out from under the intake manifold headbang

note to self: do not place tools on intake manifold doh

Lower 60k is happening this Sunday, I'll have some notes and pics up if possible!!!

 

[SHOZ123]

Crimping the sides with a vise grips would have done the job. For some reason the drivers side of the radiators is not crimped as tight as the passenger side. I just did this to a brand new radiator and my leaking one I took out.