Radiator Leak

H8PVMNT00 · #1 12-10-2005, 07:14 AM

Last night as I went out to the Jeep, i noticed there was a steady stream of antifreeze on the garage floor. Now ive been having this problem every winter with it leaking in the cold, and then it seems to subside when the warmer weather comes. I guess it is expanding and contracting? I drained the radiator and put "stop leak" in it along with fresh coolant., however that is no good? Could also be that i over-filled b/c i know i think i may have.. any suggestions. I know i should get a new radiator but it cant hurt to have any ideas/opinions...thanks again

scorpio_vette · #2 12-10-2005, 10:02 AM

i thought i was the only one with that problem. LOL

it only does it a little bit when it's real cold and then goes away. it's been doing that for 2 years now and i just keep putting it off cuz it goes away when it warms a little just like you said. at least i have a spare radiator sitting in my house just incase.

H8PVMNT00 · #3 12-11-2005, 04:43 PM

can anyone please help me?

Kampy · #4 12-11-2005, 06:03 PM

Have you looked to see where the leak is coming from? If it is in fact the radiator you have two options. Suck it up and live with it or replace it. I think you've already answered your own question though.

Quote:

Originally posted by H8PVMNT00
I know i should get a new radiator

H8PVMNT00 · #5 12-11-2005, 06:17 PM

all im sayin is will it hurt slowly leaking?

mrblaine · #6 12-11-2005, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by H8PVMNT00
all im sayin is will it hurt slowly leaking?

Not as long as you can add coolant faster than it's leaking out.

Most of the slow leaks in the factory radiator emanate from the o-ring seal in the crimped area and will slow down their seepage as the radiator warms up.

If it doesn't, replace it or you'll be on here asking why you have white smoke pouring out of your tailpipe. Then we'll tell you that you most likely have a warped head and ruined the headgasket from overheating and now instead of spending a few bucks and a few hours swapping radiators, you have to pull the head off.

Allen · #7 12-11-2005, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by H8PVMNT00
all im sayin is will it hurt slowly leaking?

Not as long as you keep the radiator and overflow bottle filled to the proper level.

What you have no way of knowing is when that slow leak will turn fast.....

Allen

mrblaine · #8 12-11-2005, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Allen
Not as long as you keep the radiator and overflow bottle filled to the proper level.

What you have no way of knowing is when that slow leak will turn fast.....

Allen

as usual, day late and a dollar short

Allen · #9 12-11-2005, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mrblaine
as usual, day late and a dollar short

I smell monkey business.

You read my post, liked what you saw, deleted my post, basically posted what I said taking all the glory for yourself, then re-posted my original comments.

Or I was a day late and a dollar short.

Allen

H8PVMNT00 · #10 12-12-2005, 09:20 AM

sorry guys ive been busy and hadnt time to check the post. I actualyl ordered a new radiator from radiator barn.com and im going to change out the upper and lower hoses at the same time to be on teh safe side..thanks again

H8PVMNT00 · #11 12-12-2005, 09:20 AM

sorry guys ive been busy and hadnt time to check the post. I actualyl ordered a new radiator from radiator barn.com and im going to change out the upper and lower hoses at the same time to be on teh safe side..thanks again

Allen · #12 12-12-2005, 04:22 PM

Change your thermostat and gasket while you're in there.

It'd be foolish not to.

If I were you, I'd only use the OEM thermostat from the dealer. It's roughly $5 to $6 for both parts.

It's my opinion from past experiences that the bleed hole found in the OEM thermostat is very important to proper system cooling and heating.

Finding a replacement thermostat from the aftermarket with the bleed hole can be done, but it is next to impossible.

Allen

(Not a day late and a dollar short)

mrblaine · #13 12-12-2005, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Allen

Finding a replacement thermostat from the aftermarket with the bleed hole can be done, but it is next to impossible.

Allen

(Not a day late and a dollar short)

Yes, still a day late and a dollar short if you haven't figured out why they put those teeny drill bits in indexes.

When I worked at the mechanic's shop, every thermostat installed went in with a 1/16" hole drilled in the flange.

Allen · #14 12-13-2005, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mrblaine
Yes, still a day late and a dollar short if you haven't figured out why they put those teeny drill bits in indexes.

When I worked at the mechanic's shop, every thermostat installed went in with a 1/16" hole drilled in the flange.

What about the wobble thingy in the bleed hole?

Allen

H8PVMNT00 · #15 12-13-2005, 05:56 AM

ok thanks guys, will do

mrblaine · #16 12-13-2005, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Allen
What about the wobble thingy in the bleed hole?

Allen

That's better, but we were installing thermostats that didn't have them.

LArry 200 TJ · #17 12-16-2005, 10:43 AM

I have the same problem with 2 stock rads, I carefully bent the crimped tabs back down with a dulled chisle and hammer. 1 is still holding now a couple thousand miles, the other is starting to seep a little again. radiatorbarn will be my new years gift for the jeep if it holds up.

Merry Chirstmas/ happy holidays

Scott Hill · #18 12-16-2005, 10:05 PM

When I move the the MTNS mt stock radiator did the same thing I has to swap it out to all metal and no problems yet.

Scott