AAAHHHH!!!! Coolant leaking AGAIN!!!!

[hank19-1]

95 Ford Explorer-107,000 miles I bought this Explorer in 97 with 40,000 miles on it. Bought it in October where the temp is still fairly mild. One day in December when it was rather cold(I think it was around 10 degrees) I started it up and let it warm up for a few minutes. Whan I came out to leave there was a "steady" stream of coolant leaking to the ground. Well I went down to my mechanic and he said he has seen this problem on Explorers before. He told me that the side plastic tanks on the radiator is not sealing until the vehicle is warmed up. He told me to let him take the radiator out and he would "crimp" the plastic tanks to the radiator and that should fix the problem. Well for the rest of the winter and part of the next winter it didn't leak. The past few years the leak is back. So what I do is carry some coolant with me and check it everytime I drive it to make sure there is enough coolant. Well about a hour ago it was leaking again. Bottom line,Is there a "fix" for this problem? I want to keep this Explorer and would not hesitate to replace the radiator with one that is made not to leak. Is there such a radiator out there or is there another fix for this problem? Thanks John

 

[410Fortune]

This is a common problem , but most likely it is time for a new Radiator, they run about $180. Your mechanic was correct, you can sometimes buy time by re-pinching the side tanks, but it only buys time.
Ar4e you sure its coming out of the radiator?
It could be a simple hose, simple radiator cap, or even the waterpump.
Good time toi check the thermostat too.....


There are also several really good stop leak products on the market that may buy you more time, BG makes some really good coolant system leak stoppers.....

 

[hank19-1]

Is there a radiator out there that is one piece and therefore eliminates the tanks? I'm thinking that since the radiator is 10 years old if I decide to replace it I should get one that is 1 piece. I did check where it's leaking and it is around the side plastic tanks. If I threw some stop leak in will it harm the rest of the system? Your right about the BG product,my coworker swears by it.