Radiator problem

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Jan 26, 2011 | 06:31 AM

Sheryle

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Radiator problem

<HR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #d1d1e1; COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1>I have a coolant leak.

I think I found it where the radiator tank and cooling fins connect. My question. Is it repairable or will I have to buy a
radiator ? Thanks for reading and any help.

Jan 26, 2011 | 06:59 AM

bismic

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From everything I have read, this means a new radiator. Could be wrong, but I don't think so.

Jan 26, 2011 | 08:37 AM

lenzhotrod

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Radiator shops can reseal or replace the tank ends. I have had luck with tightening the seal with channel locks myself. Remove radiator pressure first.When I could not seal it I would replace the whole radiator.

Jan 26, 2011 | 08:48 AM

teppler

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From: Denison, Tx

Not recommending this but was surprising, on a past episode of Mythbusters they punctured a radiator and started engine and it had a large leak they added a raw egg in radiator and surprisingly the leak stopped..sorry for the off subject and I'm thinking I would go for the new radiator..

Jan 26, 2011 | 08:54 AM

69cj

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From: Middle Tn.

Radiator vrs. possible new engine? Think I know what I'd do.

Jan 26, 2011 | 09:34 AM

bismic

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Quote:

Originally Posted by lenzhotrod

Radiator shops can reseal or replace the tank ends.

With the plastic end tanks, do they do this as a permanent repair? Do you know if Ford will reseal or replace the end tanks?

Quote:

I have had luck with tightening the seal with channel locks myself. Remove radiator pressure first.

As a temporary measure, this certainly would be good to try.

Jan 26, 2011 | 01:58 PM

John Irwin

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From: Patricia, Alberta

A few years back when I was broke(er) I exchanged tanks on 2 rads. I had one from a 460 5 speed that was overheating a little, and I wanted to put it on my truck with a 302 automatic, so I did the swap, and it worked. There was some info in my Haynes manual on how to do it...it involved using a certain size drill bit to limit how much you squeezed the tangs. If I remember correctly, it worked with out leaking.
So maybe you could try to fix it, if you screw up, it doesn't matter, you have to buy a new rad anyways if it doesn't work.
They used to have a big flat o-ring sealing them together, and you might be able to squeeze it tighter.