Had this truck for 3 days and it already needs fixed!!

[BezersSLPSS]

Its a '95 XLT w/ 128K miles on it and it seems to be leaking coolant out of the front of the radiator. Now it was really cold this morning so I let it idle for about 10min an ALOT of coolant came out, so I took a different car to work and when I came back tonight to look at it hardly any came out, but it still had coolant in the resevoir above the cold mark. Any explanation of this? You can see where it was wet, it had to have come out the front of the radiator, all hoses and connections are dry. Any ideas guys? Whats a radiator for these things cost? Thanks in advance.

 

[EliteConcept]

the radiators have plastic tanks which, from expanding and retracting from season to season they won't fit quite right against the core of the radiator. This is probably where your problem is occuring.

i bet if you were to drive it and let it warm up then shut it off and turn it right back on it probably wouldn't leak any coolant.

my bet is it just needs a $150 radiator, its a common problem. no worries, and its fairly easy to install yourself

 

[Hartman]

I developed a leak at the heater core, you might want to look into that. Relatively cheap fix.

 

[hydroxy]

they sell some liquid that will shine under black lights. Just put some in your tank, wait a little bit and then take a black light to it. You'll find out exactly where it is leaking.

 

[Blee1099]

Try starting the truck and watch the truck to see if you see any leaks. There's a number of things that could cause a coolant leak.

 

[Opera House]

The refill tank only works if the system is ait tight. Then it sucks fluid through the radiator cap from the refill tank. If the cooling system has leaks, it sucks in air from the leaks instead of fluid from the tank.

My parents came to visit me. They had problems with the engine overheating. They kept the refill tank full and decided they should drive 200 miles to visit me. They figured I would know what to do. Radiator was a gallon and a half down. I told them to buy another car, which they did the next week.

Moral. Check radiator when cool. Highest place on engine is the head. The most cooling is needed at the head. And that is where the air bubble will be. Ignore this and a warped head will be your next issue.

 

[BezersSLPSS]

Its going into the mechanic tomarrow, it was really leaking bad again this morning so I left it home again of course. However it looks like it is leaking out of the seam where the big hose hooks up to the lower driverside of the radiatior, its was just pouring out of there. Not sure if the whole radiator has to be replaced, but my mechanic seemed to think you could just replace the seal, we shall see, thanks for all the replies.