Hey guys, I have a weird radiator leak that only leaks when cold, which seems to be coming from the bottom outlet hose connection... I have never seen this happen before... Could it be cracked? But you would think it would leak when hot. I have replaced the hose and clamps and it still does it, one of the clamps would keep popping undone I was sort of thinking it might be leaking from somewhere else but have not found where. Was hoping to avoid getting a new radiator as it is only a few years old... Has anyone seen this type of leak before and have any idea where to check for these types of leaks?
Yes done it twice now, first time when I put the new hose and clamps on and then a few days later when I noticed the leak... The only thing I can think of it is cracked but normally when cracked they leak out when hot.... I even thought the cap had a problem as I seen cooland leak out from the top, so I switched it over.
If it is a plastic tanked radiator it is probably cracked. I have had plastic tanked radiators leak free when hot and pressurised and when left overnight there is a puddle of coolant under the car the next morning.
Have you made sure that the hose is all the way on?? Have a close look at it with a LED light maybe. See if theres a crack.
Hose is far as it can go on... Going to take out the radiator to check for cracks, but will lose the new coolant
pressure test the radiator before u go to the effort of pulling it out to check and when its up to preasure get under nd have a look for dripping water and look if it looses preasure
Check under the bottom radiator hose - look all the way from the radiator to the engine block as coolant may be leaking from somewhere else and then running un-noticed under the hose and appearing where the hose meets the radiator. If you are using coolant, it will leave a tell-tale trace of white powder when it dries. Please do not overtighten the clamps as you can cause leaks.
I have nothing here to do that, all I know that it keeps the preasure while hot. Then starts to leak when cold and sometimes it takes many hours to do that lol Before I replaced the hose there was signs that it was leaking from both ends, I think there is crack in the plastic though will check it out tomorrow . I just find it strange that it only leaks when cold lol
Leaking when cold is not uncommon, as muttley383 mentioned. When the parts heat up they expand, sealing the leak.
Been thinking a bit about this. Can the plastic tanks be replaced? I have a spare one here that is ok, Which should fit.
I've see where the water pump leaks...drips to pulley...then onto serpentine belt and flung around. If the bottom hose is in the way then it will get wet. However yours does it when cold.
Will not know until tomorrow, but I found the bottom bolt for the trans cooler was a bit loose, so I will see if this fixes the problem lol
Use a bottle of IronTite $20, or replace the radiator and be done with it. the wreckres have em stock piled.
You said you've checked the radiator and basically it can be ruled out as a possible cause? How did you check it? These radys develop leaks where the side tank seals join the core. A few years old doesn't mean that it's not a stuffed raddy. But like said above, check EVERYWHERE around the area thouroughly for possible other sources.
The leak did appear to be comming through where the trans cooler is bolted inside the tank.. It does seem to be fixed now.
