Radiator Leak

[bkjj77]

my radiator has been leaking since i bought the car...some days it leaks and others it dosent.
when i go to my car in the morning there is a small puddle...it leaks from the drain plug...i decided to drain the fluid and get a new plug i put in the new plug and filled the radiator back with antifreeze...the plug started to slowley leak....so i took it out and put a sealer on it and the hole...it held up for a while then started leaking again...what should i do...buy a new radiator or what? thanks

 

[steve.21]

There might be a small crack that's allowing the antifreeze to get by, or something in the way to prevent a proper seal.. Getting a new radiator would be the best option that I see

 

[Blayze2010]

Yes a new rad would be the best bet. They arent too expensive and will save you the headache.

 

[RonJ]

Check the rubber O-ring on the drain plug. The fix may be as easy as replacing it.

Does coolant leak from the spout or from the threads of the plug?

 

[bkjj77]

the coolant leaks from the spout...i did check the oring when i drained it and nothing was wrong with it but i still bought a new plus and the coolant still leaks from the hole

 

[RonJ]

You shouldn't need to replace the entire radiator. Are you saying you already replaced the plug?

 

[bkjj77]

yah i already replaced the plug and it still leaks

 

[RonJ]

If it leaks from the spout, then it's bad. Is it possibly leaking around the threads where the plug screws into the radiator?

 

[bkjj77]

no its not leaking from the threads i checked...i event put sealer on the hole and it still drips...very slow

 

[bkjj77]

so should i buy a radiator...if so what kind...aluminum or what..idk

 

[MistahJuice]

Depends on what u have. If its just a non turbo D get whatever cheap radiator u can from an autoparts store or radiator shop. If u plan on swapping and want more cooling power u could pick up a dual core so u don't have to worry about it later in

 

[bkjj77]

I don't think I'm going to turbo... But would dual core be better ...should I get a certain brand

 

[steve.21]

I got the cheapest one for my car at napa and it has no problems and no difference in how warm the car runs

 

[RonJ]

I'm still having a hard time believing the radiator is bad. You need to pull the radiator out to replace it, so carefully inspect the hole where the drain plug screws in to see whether the problem is revealed.

 

[Trekk]

Cheap fix, Fill the hole with JB stick weld. Correct fix, new radiator

 

[bkjj77]

when i woke up to check for any fluid leaks...there was fluid spat out everywere but i dont know were its coming from

 

[Trekk]

What has the weather been like for you at night? The reason I ask is because the radiators with plastic end tanks on them have a o-ring between the tank and core. Sometimes when it gets cold at night everything shrinks and you get a leak around the end tank. Then as you warm up the car everything heats up and expands, then no more leak.

 

[bkjj77]

the weather is cold but my car is in the garage

 

[bkjj77]

there is coolant under the block and under my radiator cap ...how is the coolant under the block

 

[Trekk]

Is the floor level?