Found my leak....

D_Train · 07-21-2007, 05:14 PM

So i was looking at my car and saw something hanging right underneath the radiator. upon investigation saw that it was a thin foam piece that looks like it came from the radiator. Regardless, i got under my car and saw coolant residue on the bottom of the radiator, like, the BOTTOM bottom (where it is skinny) and it looked like it was coming from a hold in the middle of the bottom of the radiator. This hole looks like it should be there though, as it has a few buddy holes on the outside of the radiator (it is symmetric). Does my radiator have a hole in it? It never drips on the ground and I only lose coolant when I am driving, but it is NOT a BHG. I have had many a test for a BHG and it is not that.

dcrusupra · 07-21-2007, 05:56 PM

Pressure test the radiator. If it holds, then it's not the problem, if it doesn't then u need to replace it.

D_Train · 07-21-2007, 06:05 PM

yah thats true. I had it pressure tested just a little while ago and no problems. Maybe my radiator cap? But they would have seen that when pressure testing....

f00g00 · 07-21-2007, 09:19 PM

If you keep topping it off it might be coolant or water that has dribbled down from the filler neck and just accumulates there. Scince you have a slow leak its a good idea to feel all the hoses especially where they are clamped and squeeze them and see the condition of the hose. If it has that brittle feel then its time to replace it. I had one last week that goes under the intake manifold and runs to the ISC valve that dripped a few times, the hose was torn and if I would have drove it home in the 120 degree heat I would have lost the coolant for sure. As it was I broke it off and got the clamp off, cut the bad peice off and re clamped it. That area sucks to work on cause you can't see what your doing so its all by feel. If the engine is hot then you can forget fixing it tell its stone cold.

D_Train · 07-21-2007, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f00g00

If you keep topping it off it might be coolant or water that has dribbled down from the filler neck and just accumulates there. Scince you have a slow leak its a good idea to feel all the hoses especially where they are clamped and squeeze them and see the condition of the hose. If it has that brittle feel then its time to replace it. I had one last week that goes under the intake manifold and runs to the ISC valve that dripped a few times, the hose was torn and if I would have drove it home in the 120 degree heat I would have lost the coolant for sure. As it was I broke it off and got the clamp off, cut the bad peice off and re clamped it. That area sucks to work on cause you can't see what your doing so its all by feel. If the engine is hot then you can forget fixing it tell its stone cold.

I would have to drain my coolant to fix this problem correct? Also, for the way our coolant system works, do higher rpm's increase the flow of coolant? i.e. i would lose more coolant in higher RPM's?

f00g00 · 07-22-2007, 03:47 AM

I don't know the flow rates but yes it increases with RPM.
Most coolant repairs require draining but its easier to find a leak with the system full, then drain and fix. Like squeezing hoses, it will dribble when you fine a small hole unless its drained.

D_Train · 07-22-2007, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f00g00

I don't know the flow rates but yes it increases with RPM.
Most coolant repairs require draining but its easier to find a leak with the system full, then drain and fix. Like squeezing hoses, it will dribble when you fine a small hole unless its drained.

Sounds great, this weekend I'll take a look at it.

cre · 07-22-2007, 11:25 AM

FYI, our radiators can be rebuilt... personally I opted for something better cooling, but I figured I would give you a heads up in case it turns out to be the rad.

D_Train · 07-22-2007, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cre

FYI, our radiators can be rebuilt... personally I opted for something better cooling, but I figured I would give you a heads up in case it turns out to be the rad.

Yah I don't know, this shit is looking nasty. After my drive home last night i looked under the hood and got underneath the car and everything had coolant on it. Even the hood. But none got on the ground after I stopped the car. I'm going to fill it up, drive it around, and check it out today.

f00g00 · 07-22-2007, 09:45 PM

Yeah it sounds like maybe one of the tubes in the core may be leaking, its getting on the fan and getting slung all over the engine compartment. Better get it fixed before it goes completely. A decent rad shop should be able to fix it and rod it out for ya.

07-21-2007, 05:14 PM	#1
D_Train 3" Exhaust Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 214	Found my leak.... So i was looking at my car and saw something hanging right underneath the radiator. upon investigation saw that it was a thin foam piece that looks like it came from the radiator. Regardless, i got under my car and saw coolant residue on the bottom of the radiator, like, the BOTTOM bottom (where it is skinny) and it looked like it was coming from a hold in the middle of the bottom of the radiator. This hole looks like it should be there though, as it has a few buddy holes on the outside of the radiator (it is symmetric). Does my radiator have a hole in it? It never drips on the ground and I only lose coolant when I am driving, but it is NOT a BHG. I have had many a test for a BHG and it is not that.

07-21-2007, 05:56 PM	#2
dcrusupra 500whp yet? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Plantation, Fl. Posts: 1,052	Pressure test the radiator. If it holds, then it's not the problem, if it doesn't then u need to replace it. __________________ New Rebuild My CarDomain

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07-21-2007, 06:05 PM	#3
D_Train 3" Exhaust Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 214	yah thats true. I had it pressure tested just a little while ago and no problems. Maybe my radiator cap? But they would have seen that when pressure testing....

07-21-2007, 09:19 PM	#4
f00g00 12psi boost Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kuwait Posts: 292	If you keep topping it off it might be coolant or water that has dribbled down from the filler neck and just accumulates there. Scince you have a slow leak its a good idea to feel all the hoses especially where they are clamped and squeeze them and see the condition of the hose. If it has that brittle feel then its time to replace it. I had one last week that goes under the intake manifold and runs to the ISC valve that dripped a few times, the hose was torn and if I would have drove it home in the 120 degree heat I would have lost the coolant for sure. As it was I broke it off and got the clamp off, cut the bad peice off and re clamped it. That area sucks to work on cause you can't see what your doing so its all by feel. If the engine is hot then you can forget fixing it tell its stone cold.

07-22-2007, 03:47 AM	#6
f00g00 12psi boost Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kuwait Posts: 292	I don't know the flow rates but yes it increases with RPM. Most coolant repairs require draining but its easier to find a leak with the system full, then drain and fix. Like squeezing hoses, it will dribble when you fine a small hole unless its drained.

07-22-2007, 11:25 AM	#8
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	FYI, our radiators can be rebuilt... personally I opted for something better cooling, but I figured I would give you a heads up in case it turns out to be the rad.

07-22-2007, 09:45 PM	#10
f00g00 12psi boost Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kuwait Posts: 292	Yeah it sounds like maybe one of the tubes in the core may be leaking, its getting on the fan and getting slung all over the engine compartment. Better get it fixed before it goes completely. A decent rad shop should be able to fix it and rod it out for ya.