coolant leak

[Masterd]

Hey guys, I was hoping that someone would be able to help me.

I appear to be leaking coolant from the top right hand corner of my rad. (supper right when facing the truck) and it looks to be coming from the metal line with the big nut that screws into the rad.

Has anyone had this happen? Any ideas on buying the part or just using a sealant.

Thanks,
Masterd

 

[Heavymentill]

That metal line is the trans cooler line. I personall would never use any radiator sealant, I think its just a bandaid. I sugest getting a new radiator as you don't want coolant in your trans and trans fluid in the coolant system.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Do you see coolant, or ATF leaking?

 

[Masterd]

Naw it's green, which would be coolant. Ive checked the trans fluid and its normal.

 

[BrooklynBay]

One place to get a radiator at a good price is WWW.AutoCoolRadiators.Com. They have free shipping, and a lifetime warranty.

 

[marragtop]

You can also try radiatorbarn.com for comparison.

 

[410Fortune]

You can rent a pressure tester from Autozone for free and determine where the leak is coming from 100% before you go buy a new radiator.

it is common for these units to leak when they get older, where the plastic side tanks are crimped to the metal core

 

[MisterCMK]

I've been dealing with this ever since I put a NEW radiator in this summer. There should be a rubber washer in there that is 1 1/4" ID. The brass tube that passes through the case is 1" OD with a 1/8" shoulder that seals against the case. I ended up removing the upper washer and replacing it with one made out of inner tube material cut to the right dimension. O-rings do NOT work. My lower connection has started leaking now and I am in the process of fixing that bugger tonight.

 

[old mechanic]

One place to get a radiator at a good price is WWW.AutoCoolRadiators.Com. They have free shipping, and a lifetime warranty.

________________
Holy Shamoly! A 2 row complete radiator for $119.00 SHIPPED!!! I just called my buddie and right now he is ordering one for his 91Ex.
Thanks for the link.

 

[JMan689]

Hey, same place mine is leaking from.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Here's my product review on them: http://www.explorerforum.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php/product/252/cat/500

 

[MisterCMK]

I tried fixing mine with a new washer again and it started leaking worse than before. Napa will be taking their ****ty radiator back tomorrow.

 

[JMan689]

Whats the advantage to a 2 row radiator?

 

[BrooklynBay]

More surface area means more cooling ability (greater efficiency).

 

[old mechanic]

More surface area means more cooling ability (greater efficiency).

____________
After my Buick was a few years old I had my local rad. shop (my buddie that is retired now) replace the rad. with an extra row and being in the Boston traffic daily it made a difference.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The same thing applies to a radiator in a house. The more sections it has, the more surface area to throw off heat.

 

[Tony H]

2 rows work very well.
These radiators are aluminum.
Each row has larger tubes, less apt to clog.

MY chevy powered jeep is MUCH happier after i ditched the Custom 4 row Copper for a two row aluminum.

 

[LXNavajo_94]

Now I wished I had looked online first. I put in a 2 row aluminum radiator in mine back in July. The plastic side tank on the stock unit with 165,000 miles was cracked and leaked like a sieve. I have noticed it seems to cool better than the old one. It only cost me 125.00 from a local supplier. Oh well whats a few dollars when you really need to get it back on the road quick.