weird radiator leak
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2008
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From: La Vergne, TN
weird radiator leak
Ok guys ive had my 92 Flareside since friday. one thing ive noticed is when you run it for a short period of time and it dont get warmed up real good it leaks antifreeze and water out of the passenger side of the radiator. Now when i drive it long enough it warms up no leak. Whats the deal???? by the way it has a 5.8 in it. just incase it matters if the radiators changed by displacements which i know they did but not sure which displacements. but anyways whats the deal???
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2008
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From: La Vergne, TN
what do you mean re-crimp. like whats the problem? this truck the body has 294,xxx miles on it but the motor and tranny only have 72,xxx miles. so likely the radiator has 294,xxx miles on it as well. so whats the problem?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
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From: McKenzie River
The plastic rad. tanks attach to the sides of the rad. using a large O ring seal for fluid seal and are held in place by metal tabs that bend over and crimp the tank to the rad., over time the tanks seal can start to leak. pull the rad. look for the tabs and gently squeeze them tighter with pliers, sometimes (many) this will stop the leak.......But with the mileage you have, it might be time to think new Radiator.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,557
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From: Concord, NC
The o-ring loses its elasticity over time and doesn't seal as well. Crimping the metal tighter may help, but once the o-ring "learns" its crushed position, more clamping force won't help unless the crimps have relaxed too. My radiator behaves exactly the same, and it only seems to happen in the winter time. I'm hoping it holds out until I replace the radiator along with the engine.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 396
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From: Eureka, KS
I didn't mess with it and just replaced the radiator. I had a leak where one of the tranny cooler lines go in. No way to tighten it, that nut is inside the plastic tank.I just had a recent problem similar to yours. Big pool of coolant under my truck near heater core when cold. No leak when hot. It's was just a worm clamp I put on this summer at the heater core when I replaced the hose. When it was hot everything would swell and seal up, cold it would leak. Tightened up the clamp and it's fine. Looks like your having the same type of problem. Try to verify where the leak is and tighten the upper hose clamp if it's been changed to a worm type. I'm beginning to go away from worm clamps for this reason. The factory spring type clamps hold pressure all year round in all temperatures.
You can upgrade to an all copper/brass old style radiator if want to spend the extra money as well.
You can upgrade to an all copper/brass old style radiator if want to spend the extra money as well.
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2008
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From: La Vergne, TN
my dad is say the metal braiding on the inside has came unwelded. but im not sure. ill look into it deeper sometime this week. as long as i let the truck warm up it shouldnt leak so ill just have to use more gas i guess. but oh well shizzit happens.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,557
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From: Concord, NC
How much is it leaking? Mine only loses a little bit of coolant, maybe enough to wet a 3" diameter spot in the parking lot at work. I can't really measure what it leaked on the way to work, though. I never have to add very much, and I don't have to add any very often.
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Postmaster
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From: La Vergne, TN
ok now ive got a leak of water/anti-freeze. it is landing on the exhaust pipes. I cant figure out where its coming from. might help if i look tomorrow in the daylight but any ideas where its coming from. it looks as though its on the drivers side. Due to there being water on the drivers side part of the firewall.
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