Radiator leaking - tough to replace?
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 1
Radiator leaking - tough to replace?
Well, looks like my radiator is leaking. Not sure exactly from where but see it collecting on the bottom of the shroud. I need to go borrow a pressure tester to tell for sure and maybe see where it's leaking from. I replaced the radiator on my 1998 F150 and it was pretty easy. The only thing that worries me on this is the transmission cooler line. It looks pretty old and corroded. Worried about getting it off without busting it all up. I guess spray it with some PB a few times over a few days before I try and remove?
Any other words of advice?
Any other words of advice?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 8
it's been a long time since i replaced a rad, but with all the paper-thin aftermarket junk they are making these days, it might be worthwhile taking your old one to a rad shop for repair (save money by doing the re & re yourself, of course).
... or maybe i am out of touch ... is this even done anymore ? there are still rad shops out there, so i guess so.
install a new thermostat while you are at it ... saves you draining and re-filling later on.
... or maybe i am out of touch ... is this even done anymore ? there are still rad shops out there, so i guess so.
install a new thermostat while you are at it ... saves you draining and re-filling later on.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,949
Likes: 7
it's been a long time since i replaced a rad, but with all the paper-thin aftermarket junk they are making these days, it might be worthwhile taking your old one to a rad shop for repair (save money by doing the re & re yourself, of course).
... or maybe i am out of touch ... is this even done anymore ? there are still rad shops out there, so i guess so.
install a new thermostat while you are at it ... saves you draining and re-filling later on.
... or maybe i am out of touch ... is this even done anymore ? there are still rad shops out there, so i guess so.
install a new thermostat while you are at it ... saves you draining and re-filling later on.
They are pretty simple to replace I just did mine last summer. Just have to be careful when the lines are corroded.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 959
Likes: 8
From: Imperial, MO
it's been a long time since i replaced a rad, but with all the paper-thin aftermarket junk they are making these days, it might be worthwhile taking your old one to a rad shop for repair (save money by doing the re & re yourself, of course).
... or maybe i am out of touch ... is this even done anymore ? there are still rad shops out there, so i guess so.
install a new thermostat while you are at it ... saves you draining and re-filling later on.
... or maybe i am out of touch ... is this even done anymore ? there are still rad shops out there, so i guess so.
install a new thermostat while you are at it ... saves you draining and re-filling later on.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 398
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver Island BC
Mine was leaking at the end tanks and coolant was collecting on the shourd, was relly hard to see where it was coming from. They are sealed by a large "O ring" Apparently you can try tightening up the crimp that holds the tank on... But I didn't wanna be stranded on the side of the road one day so I ditched it and got a new one.
They are surprisingly cheap. Mine was $190 out the door with tax.
I'd advise doing the Thermostat, upper and lower hoses, and heater hoses if you can swing it...
I didn't do the heater hoses on mine be cause they are not your standard hoses, and I was on a tight budget at the time... I really need to look into where to get them and how much they are...
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 398
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver Island BC
Oh, and as for the trans lines... Soak em good... My lines came out, but the adapters that are between the lines and the rad fitting were seized in there... No big deal the new rad came with new adapters... But they wouldn't fit!!!
I ended up torching the old ones and tore the tranny cooler right out of the rad tank in the process of getting them out... No biggie though just a few curse words
I ended up torching the old ones and tore the tranny cooler right out of the rad tank in the process of getting them out... No biggie though just a few curse words
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Imperial, MO
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 398
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver Island BC
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 1
This may be a dumb question, but if I borrow coolant system pressure tester from autozone do I need to plug like overflow tank hose or anything or just hook it up to top of radiator and pump it up?
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 1
+1
Mine was leaking at the end tanks and coolant was collecting on the shourd, was relly hard to see where it was coming from. They are sealed by a large "O ring" Apparently you can try tightening up the crimp that holds the tank on... But I didn't wanna be stranded on the side of the road one day so I ditched it and got a new one.
They are surprisingly cheap. Mine was $190 out the door with tax.
I'd advise doing the Thermostat, upper and lower hoses, and heater hoses if you can swing it...
I didn't do the heater hoses on mine be cause they are not your standard hoses, and I was on a tight budget at the time... I really need to look into where to get them and how much they are...
Mine was leaking at the end tanks and coolant was collecting on the shourd, was relly hard to see where it was coming from. They are sealed by a large "O ring" Apparently you can try tightening up the crimp that holds the tank on... But I didn't wanna be stranded on the side of the road one day so I ditched it and got a new one.
They are surprisingly cheap. Mine was $190 out the door with tax.
I'd advise doing the Thermostat, upper and lower hoses, and heater hoses if you can swing it...
I didn't do the heater hoses on mine be cause they are not your standard hoses, and I was on a tight budget at the time... I really need to look into where to get them and how much they are...
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 398
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver Island BC
I got my pressure tester but engine too hot, and too cold outside and I got way too little sleep to start messing with this now. Tomorrow will mess with, but it does look like probably leaking from end tank on passenger side. I am with you, not gonna mess with trying to recrimp evenly on that end tank. I'd fix that and then the other one would go next month. Rockauto has them for $100 or so. You said $190, was that what you paid for new one and somebody to install or just $190 for the radiator and you installed.
