Welcome to Just Commodores, a site specifically designed for all people who share the same passion as yourself.

New Posts Contact us

Just Commodores Forum Community

It takes just a moment to join our fantastic community

Register

Radiator Problems

kitykat78

KityKat
Joined
Feb 25, 2005
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Members Ride
Executive VR
Hey guys, I have a '95 VR Commodore, and am having problems with my radiator. It keeps running out of coolant, yet there appears to be no visible leak, nor any coolant on the ground. I took it to a mechanic and he said I need a new radiator, but I'm not so sure. Are there any steps I can take myself, to find out for certain if it's a new radiator I need, or if it's just another "you know what" trying to rip me off! BTW, I can roughly do about 100k's before it needs more coolant. Any help would be appreciated !:)
 

statey1975

Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2006
Messages
184
Reaction score
21
Points
18
Location
Adelaide
Members Ride
WK Statesman
couple of things to check first. run the engine so that it's hot, THEN check for leaks. a leak will be easier to spot when the pressure builds up in the cooling system. If you still have no leaks, check how much water is in your coolant return tank, drivers side mounted on the shock absorber mound. if that's full, it might just need a new radiator cap. other than that, it could be a blown head gasket, which is worse than a new radiator. check for milky residue on bottom of radiator cap or oil filler cap.
 

hako

Donating Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2004
Messages
8,020
Reaction score
95
Points
48
Age
80
Location
Toowoomba SE QLD
Members Ride
VS11 BT1 V6
Coolant leaks can be hard to find as hot coolant evaporates very quickly. It does however usually leave a powdery trace. If the mechanic says you need a new radiator then I'd imagine that he noted leaks from the radiator. I'd go back to him and ask to explain more.
 

Immortality

Can't live without smoky bacon!
Staff member
Joined
Apr 15, 2006
Messages
22,472
Reaction score
19,901
Points
113
Location
Sth Auck, NZ
Members Ride
HSV VS Senator, VX Calais II L67
try going around the engine and tightening all the hoses etc, including on the radiator. see if there are any bubles in the radiator whe nyou start the engine with the radiator cap off. is there a wet patch inside the car, normally in the passanger side foot well (this is normally evident if there is a leak in the heater core). try a new radiator cap also, there quiet cheap.
 

kitykat78

KityKat
Joined
Feb 25, 2005
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Members Ride
Executive VR
Thanks guys for all your help. I took it back to the mechanic and found out that it is indeed the radiator. A nice slow leak near the radiator cap on the radiator itself. I tried all the other suggestions as well, so thanks again.
 
Top