radiator troubles

[savage.270]

Well it looks like i gotta small hole in my radiator on my 89 yota pick up. I was wonderin if any of you guy has a fix for this problem without buyin a new one. Thanks.
Tony

[Skyvalhunter]

Where is the hole at? If it is in one of the vertical lines you can pinch the line on both of the hole.

[savage.270]

Havent been able to find the whole

[Fishaholic]

Get your motor hot and open the hood to see were its lekking at.. If your losing water it might be a cracked hose or a rotted hose.

[Woodchuck]

Which engine?

[Buckmark]

Pepper....seriously.....

[lostbackpacker]

if ya don't wanna fix it correctly, then just keep a gallon of radiator fluid and check it every so often. 

if ya wanna fix it correctly, if ya cant find the leak.  drain rad, pull, pressure with air, put in big water tank, locate bubbles. clean area and solder.

toyota tanks will eventually leak on the top tank.  there is no easy fix for that.  you'll spend more money getting it repaired than buying a new one.  plastic/alum radiators are bout 145.00 brand new.  copper/brass are about 350.00 brand new. 

pm me if ya want more information

[Skyvalhunter]

Could also be your heater core leaking

[MagKarl]

Pull the radiator and take it to Leon at 112th St. Radiator in Parkland.  If it's repairable, he'll hook you up.  Oustanding customer service that is so hard to find anymore.

[savage.270]

Thanks for all the replies. I heard the pepper thing is only a temporary fix and it pretty substantial leak cuz it lost a decent amount in a couple hours. I checked the hoses and that aint it. I think im just gonna have to buy a new one for my trip to Eastern wa for late archery deer. Thanks again

[Woodchuck]

What engine?

[savage.270]

4 cylinder 22re

[lostbackpacker]

4 cylinder 22re

are you sure its the radiator?

[Woodchuck]

  Get it pressure tested first. Lots of places for coolant to go other than the radiator. 
The good news is that it isn't the 3.0 

[savage.270]

Im 90% percent sure its my radiator. It was just in and accident a few weeks ago so its in condition to drive

[Mike450r]

If you are losing that much coolant you should be able to locate the leak.

[6x6in6]

If you are losing that much coolant you should be able to locate the leak.

Uh huh.   

Unless of course it's reached a vaporized state and is exiting the tail pipe, courtesy of a blown head gasket.

[savage.270]

Well i believe the leak is on the top left side but just cant see it and how could i tell if i had a blown head gasket?

[Mike450r]

Well i believe the leak is on the top left side but just cant see it and how could i tell if i had a blown head gasket?

 

Milky oil is one way,  if it is all burning up you will be putting out some good steam from the exhaust. 

[6x6in6]

Faint to semi strong antifreeze aroma from the exhaust.
Air bubbles in the antifreeze.
Water in oil - milky oil as mike450 suggested.
Oil floaters in the antifreeze.
Oil residue on the underside of the radiator cap, again, milky looking.
Milky looking coating on the oil filler cap and/or the oil filler tube.
Moisture on the dip stick.
Visible signs of moisture leaking, or evidence of, from the head gasket area.

Probably more, but that's a good start from a visual standpoint.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Well i believe the leak is on the top left side but just cant see it and how could i tell if i had a blown head gasket?

 

Milky oil is one way,  if it is all burning up you will be putting out some good steam from the exhaust.

Pull the dipstick and hold the flame from a match under the oily end.  If it burns green--there's antifreeze in the oil....

[savage.270]

Ok well its not a head gasket problem so at least i got that goin for me. Lol i think i just need a new radiator. Thanks for the help guys. I appreciate it

[irishevox]

pull the radiator run soapy water through it to find the hole...  i would never weld a radiator back i would hunt a "you pull it" Yard and try and find one.  i had a 94 Skyline with a radiator with a hole i reparid it and later it broke again i would recommend getting a used one or new one... better off to replace for a long term than a quick fix to break later

[Huntergal]

I have been watching this.
I have a leak somewhere in my Dodge Ram 1500 9.5. It must be small as I am not losing alot of fluid and can't find the leak but man I smell the antifreeze after I start the truck and drive. Anymore ideas???

[irishevox]

check you seals. 

[Skyvalhunter]

If you can smell antifreeze chances are it's your heater core.

[12Gauge]

Well i believe the leak is on the top left side but just cant see it and how could i tell if i had a blown head gasket?

Top left of what?  The engine or Radiator?

You can find radiators on the internet for less than $100 + shipping. 

[Encore 280]

Water pump? If you try to solder it yourself you have to be very careful with the heat. The heat will travel to other solder joints if not careful and you'll end up with more leaks and headaches.

[coachcw]

on the dodge often tines your water pump will leak on first start up then stop ( for a while ) you should be able to see traces of coolant from the weep hole in the pump casting . typically if your heater core leaks you will get a slick film on the windshield , you can also see if your getting antifreeze traces from the heater box drain tube .

[12Gauge]

Water pump? If you try to solder it yourself you have to be very careful with the heat. The heat will travel to other solder joints if not careful and you'll end up with more leaks and headaches.

That's what I was thinking, if he is loosing that much fluid. 

Savage.270  look under the water pump:  under it you will see a hole about 1/8" or smaller look at it good, use a flashlight, yes even during the day; if you can see a trace of rust or discoloration around the hole or a tract.  If you see it, then that could one of your leaks.

[savage.270]

It wasnt the hoses or anything like that. The accident i had recently been involved in busted my radiator up by where the tank meets the coil things so i just had to buy a new one and drop her in. Works like a champ now. No leaks

[Heredoggydoggy]

I have been watching this.
I have a leak somewhere in my Dodge Ram 1500 9.5. It must be small as I am not losing alot of fluid and can't find the leak but man I smell the antifreeze after I start the truck and drive. Anymore ideas???

I had the same problem with my '07 GMC Canyon pickup.  As long as the coolant reservoir wasn't filled to "full" there was no smell.