Radiator leak dang it

[rp23g7]

Went to the store and came back out, little puddle under the radiator. Dang

Checked and its coming from the fitting for the trans cooler line, loosened the trans line, and tightened the fitting ,still drips.

Whats the best way to fix that, permatex, silicone, braze it together, jb weld lol

started it and let it run 10 min or so, doesnt seem like its under much pressure, drips didnt speed up. Shut it off and let it sit, still the same drip pattern

[bobs66440]

Is it tranny fluid or coolant? If its tranny fluid, and if the line has a male flare nut that screws directly into the rad or an adapter that's in the rad the flare in the line is probably cracked. Tightening it will most likely just make it worse. Teflon tape may work as a temporary band-aid but in the end the line will need to be re-flared.  The line itself could also be cracked or the inside of the fitting in the rad could be split. Taking it apart and checking it is really the only way to know.

[rp23g7]

Is it tranny fluid or coolant? If its tranny fluid, the flare in the line is probably cracked. Tightening it will most likely just make it worse. Teflon tape may work as a temporary band-aid but in the end the line will need to be re-flared. The line itself could also be cracked or the inside of the weld fitting in the rad could be split.

Its coolant, i may take it out this weekend and see whats really causing it, son has the jack still woring on the starter on his Monte so i cant really get under to look.

[bobs66440]

There is probably a crack around the line fitting in the rad. There shouldn't be any coolant in the trans cooler line. It's just a sealed tube that runs into and out of the rad and back to the trans. A radiator repair shop (if you can find one) should be able to fix it.

[rp23g7]

There is probably a crack around the line fitting in the rad. There shouldn't be any coolant in the trans cooler line. It's just a sealed tube that runs into and out of the rad and back to the trans. A radiator repair shop (if you can find one) should be able to fix it.

Think i will seal it with some expoxy or JB weld, and save for a new rad.  Probably the vibration from the steel line that cracked it.  Didnt leak as bad as i though over night. 

[W4ATL]

Best bet is to take it to a radiator shop and have them fix it right.

[rp23g7]

Best bet is to take it to a radiator shop and have them fix it right.

If you can believe it, nobody around here works on radiators.  I called 3 places, "no we dont do that kind of work anymore"  WTF.  Yeah, you would rather charge the $80-100 an hr to R&R it instead. 

So, i went and bought a trans cooler, yanked my radiator out first.   It turns out the cooler fitting where it is brazed to the raditaor, had a tiny crack in it.  So i went and bought some metal epoxy and put that on, let it cure, reinstalled and put the new cooler on, and drove it to the XXX Drive in car show yesterday.   30 miles each way on the freeway.   No leaks, yay.  Hopefully it will last till i save up for a new radiator.

[W4ATL]

Best bet is to take it to a radiator shop and have them fix it right.

If you can believe it, nobody around here works on radiators.  I called 3 places, "no we dont do that kind of work anymore"  WTF.  Yeah, you would rather charge the $80-100 an hr to R&R it instead. 

So, i went and bought a trans cooler, yanked my radiator out first.   It turns out the cooler fitting where it is brazed to the raditaor, had a tiny crack in it.  So i went and bought some metal epoxy and put that on, let it cure, reinstalled and put the new cooler on, and drove it to the XXX Drive in car show yesterday.   30 miles each way on the freeway.   No leaks, yay.  Hopefully it will last till i save up for a new radiator.

Wow. I see you are in the Seattle area and I did a quick search on places that at least say they work on radiators.

http://www.goacauto.com/
http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3723421265/west-seattle-radiator-service-seattle

But you are right it looks a little bare in your area for radiator repair. I hope it holds for you. Keep an eye on it and put a new one in the budget!   

[rp23g7]

Best bet is to take it to a radiator shop and have them fix it right.

If you can believe it, nobody around here works on radiators.  I called 3 places, "no we dont do that kind of work anymore"  WTF.  Yeah, you would rather charge the $80-100 an hr to R&R it instead. 

So, i went and bought a trans cooler, yanked my radiator out first.   It turns out the cooler fitting where it is brazed to the raditaor, had a tiny crack in it.  So i went and bought some metal epoxy and put that on, let it cure, reinstalled and put the new cooler on, and drove it to the XXX Drive in car show yesterday.   30 miles each way on the freeway.   No leaks, yay.  Hopefully it will last till i save up for a new radiator.

Wow. I see you are in the Seattle area and I did a quick search on places that at least say they work on radiators.

http://www.goacauto.com/
http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3723421265/west-seattle-radiator-service-seattle

But you are right it looks a little bare in your area for radiator repair. I hope it holds for you. Keep an eye on it and put a new one in the budget!   

Oh wow, i missed acauto.  i gotta call them and see what they say.

[jaak]

I live in North Alabama, I had a leaking radiator in a 318 '72 Charger, I use to have. I took it to a radiator shop about 30 miles from where I live to have it repaired, It is run by an older gentleman, who has had the business for years. He fixed the leak and cleaned it out, when I got it back it (the next day) It was like new, when I seen it , I started wondering how much this was gonna cost me. He handed me the bill, it was only $35.

Still nice to see folks still doing quality work for reasonable prices!

Jason

[bobs66440]

Yeah, there's a couple place nearby that do it. I've been charged about $65. every time. Still cheap I think.