Coolant leak.

[Jaiiiwon]

Hey guys, I put this thread here in this forum because I dont know much about the cooling system of cars, but i do have a problem for you smart people to solve.

My cars leaking coolant, and yes, i've heard about it leaking to the block, and so yes i checked the oil. Its clear.

I found no leaks with the piping, but i did find this leak. I dont know how to fix it. I've never seen its leak out of there before, so i presume its not normal. LOL

here's some photos to make it easier:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/833/img1056rg.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/191/img1057j.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/638/img1058x.jpg/

as you can see its just above the radiator.


has anyone had this problem? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

,Jay

[Bludger]

You have a leaking radiator, its leaking out of the bottom tank.

the pictures from the top, I'm not sure, could be just you topping it up and spilling OR the hose clamp is not doing its job.

Get a new bottom tank or new radiator, maybe replace that top hose clamp too. (strange for an OEM clamp to fail unless its been ****ed with) I prefer the oem clamps much more than the shitty screw on ones.

[dougie_504]

Bau, how can you tell it's leaking from the bottom tank?

Could it just be the top tank or stuffed upper hose?

[akusuma]

Could be faulty radiator cap, or radiator. In my case, it was the top part of the radiator (where the top hose connect) it was so old and you can crush it with hand.

[hmetro24]

Could be Upper radiator hose, radiator cap or clogged radiator

[Jaiiiwon]

Clogged radiator? could that be due to dirt getting into the tank where the coolant is stored? I didnt check if it was dirty, but if it could stuff things up, ill double check.

I thought it was the radiator cap as well, but you can see that the leak is next to it, where its held onto the front of the car.

Its weird though, I had it compression tested like a month ago, and it turned out fine.
And between then and now, i haven't really been using the car.
well, i guess i should just take it to the experts, and see what they say.

[Bludger]

yeah, sorry, my bad guys, looked at the picture too briefly.

thought the 1st picture was taken from underneath.

[dougie_504]

yeah, sorry, my bad guys, looked at the picture too briefly.

thought the 1st picture was taken from underneath.



LOL me too until my head went sideways!

If this were mine I would:
- Clean up the old coolant so you can see where the new leak comes from.
- Cut a tiny bit off the end of the hose then pull it back on so it's a fresh seal.
- Replace clamp, don't overtighten or you'll crush the hose neck on the radiator.
- Replace radiator cap.

If this doesn't work, replace top tank.

[hmetro24]

Flush the radiator . does the upper hose look like balloon when warm?

[Bludger]

Flush the radiator . does the upper hose look like balloon when warm?
flushing does not help solve his problem.

it is good preventative maintenance though.

[hmetro24]

flushing does not help solve his problem.
it is good preventative maintenance though.
Flush it with radiator cleaner not just water. Also the radiator could be clogged or dirt somewhere inside it.

[Bludger]

Flush it with radiator cleaner not just water. Also the radiator could be clogged or dirt somewhere inside it.
could also be very clean.

flushing does not stop a leak.

[grifty]

clean all the leaked coolant up and then start the car and look for any coolant leaks from the area, also remove the bracket holding the rad because i looks like it might be leaking from under there.

[phatty]

If its the top tank that is leaking, theres a place in Fairfield/Canley on Hamilton Road that can replace it for you with I think 1 year warranty

[Bludger]

If its the top tank that is leaking, theres a place in Fairfield/Canley on Hamilton Road that can replace it for you with I think 1 year warranty
mate, any radiator repair shop can repair/replace with warranty for you, not just Hamilton rd Fairfield.

I know you're just trying to help.

[phatty]

Yeah I know, just incase he doesnt have anywhere to go so I just named him a place so its already here for him if its within his area/state..

All good mate

[Jaiiiwon]

i took it to the mechs yday.

turns out it was due for replacement. The things was so old, rust everywhere, etc. i shoud've took picks.
thnx for the help guys.