My car sprung a leak sometime over the course of Friday to today, and each of these nights have been the coldest yet of the season... like 28-20*f at night. Well I came out to the car today to get the clicker out of it (I was taking my Moms Chevelle to get a Christma- I mean a holiday tree lol) and noticed the wet spot on the ground, I decided to take a look.
So I stuck my head under the car and guess what was on the slash plate, Coolant FTMFL!!!!!
Any tricks besides using an egg (yuck) or stop leak? I'm gettin it pressure tested tomorrow.
Pic for a click...

 

wouldn't put anything in the coolant to try and fix a leak, that'll just make a bigger mess.

put it on jackstands and find out where it's leaking from, not that hard to find.

either a hose or waterpump,

 

Got it up and pulled the splash sheild off, car was fully warmed up and if anything a little hot , its either coming from the coolant temp sensor, overflow tank tube, or upper radiator hose. I hope. But there is always the good possibility that the tank separated from the core itself?

 

There's a $2 plastic nipple in the upper driver's side (when sitting in the car facing the front) corner of the radiator. They can break, it happened on my car. Check that before buying a new radiator.

 

I know or sure that it is not the nipple, (mine is blue and leak free). I see that I forgot to mention that I had it on a lift and that I simply wasn't under the car.
It is definitely coming from somewhere about mid-way up.
EDIT:I just reread your post yellow, mine was on the lower drivers side...?????? But it wasnt leaking.

 

Thermofan switch, perhaps? That's where mine is (sill need to replace it). What year is yours? I ordered a switch for a late that I can't use.

 

Any idea if it is the original radiator? I've had them crack at the plastic header tank where the aliminum 'fingers' crimp to hold the tank ends on. Not repairable IMO. Hopefully that isn't it.

 

Plastic end tank orings can and will pop a seal whenever they feel like. They are repairable with either lots of patience or a shop, again Behr makes a special crimping tool for the job.

Craftsman makes a slick coolant tester but that may be a bit pricy for the occasional check.

If it is a bad rad, just be glad it's not a 951!

 

So, here's a dumb question...what do you guys use to drain your coolant if you're doing a coolant refill/fixing one of these thermofan/leaky rad issues? I mean, you can't park it over a drain and pull the plug, sending it to the sewer...

Big-*** buckets?

 

I developed a coolant leak last winter. only about the size of a dime every day but I had the money at the time so I did a tune up and replaced the radiator and hoses.

 

Not to be dense but is the thermofan switch the coolant temperature sensor in the radiator? My car is an '86.

I believe it is the original radiator, but I am not sure about the tank being cracked, thats a good thought though. I will know for sure when I pull it out during my T-belt & Waterpump job.

Oh no! Well I should know for sure when I get the rad pulled out.
Let me guess the 951 has several additional parts up against the radiator. I know the turbo has coolant pipes running to and from it but is there anything else in there?


Just a quick question, when I took it to the rad shop today it wasnt leaking down the back of the drivers side end tank. There was still some coolant leaking but from a slightly different spot... would an old o-ring on the side of the rad get reseated after the car is warmed up? Thus making it seem like I had the leak in a different spot?

 

Driver's side of radiator, halfway up, yeah.

 

Does the rad come out the bottom or do you have to remove the front clip?

 

You wont have to remove the front clip to get the radiator out. I think it comes out the bottom.m My car is leaking in that same mystery spot. Its hard to see in that area with all the hoses and the temp switch right there.

 

there are two 10mm bolts at the top corners of the radiator that put pressure on the top of it w/ rubber washers between and hold it in. Loosen those and pull the fans out of the way and the rad. should be able to slide out the bottom-or top. Not always easy but in an n/a its much easier. 86's have the temp sender in the same spot just worked on one tonite, ds 3/4 up from the bottom.