Radiator flush now leaking,

[Locko1990]

Hey guys, I done a radiator flush on my vy commodore yesterday and when I ran the car up to operating temp I noticed coolant was leaking from around the drivers side of the radiator. I couldn’t find exactly where it was coming out as it had stoped leaking by the time I had noticed the stream of coolant on the concrete when I got out of the car.
I did notice this hose on the bottom of the radiator.
What is this hose for? And where should it be connected?
I let the motor cool-down and opened radiator coolant level is still at top of radiator.

 

[krusing]

Those 2 pipes down the bottom to the right are for a power steering cooler core that is located in front of the Condensor,
have not been connected, or reconnected possibly by the PO.

As for the leak, I’m tipping it will be at the bottom of the radiator core, on the front of the radiator, between the radiator and condenser, hence why you are unable to locate it.
I had the very same issued with my VE and Adventra, I could smell the glycol, but could not see where it was leaking,
But found were it was leaking, after removing the radiator/s.

Simple fix, replace the radiator, because it will get worse and will leave you stranded BFN at the most inconvenient time and location.

 

[Anthony .]

The gunk in the radiator probably provided a “seal” and the the flush, like intended, loosened it

 

[Locko1990]

I put some more water in the rad and ran the car up to running temp this time standing outside the car. (I was inside the cab checking aircon first time)
ended up finding the leak, it’s trickling out the top hose running down the right side of the radiator.

Not too hard to fix might just try adjust the hose and hose clamp once it cools down.

And with a closer look at the power steering reservoir I can see that PO has bypassed the cooler. Not sure why.

Anyway thanks for the help, wasn’t sure what that power steering pipe was thought it had something to do with the leaking coolant as it had coolant on it and there was a coolant puddle underneath it.

 

[losh1971]

Might be worth throwing another top hose on. Should only be about $15-$16.

 

[krusing]

Good find, well done,

Might be worth removing the hose,
Clean the inside of any gunk, and the radiator fitting,
And before you re-fit it, run a thin film of gasket cement inside the hose( where it fits on the radiator) and then tighten the hose clap up,
You should not have that issue again.