my car has been losing radiator coolant. when I leave it idling, I see coolant dripping from the tray holding the radiator in place. It is a 1996 Ford Explorer. It does not overhaet. Do I need to replace the radiator? What are the tell-tale signs my radiator needs to be replaced? Thanks a million.
2007-09-12 04:16:46 · 8 answers · asked by Jim Z 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I have the same truck except mine is the 5.0 and was doing the same thing.
Check the hose ends and then go from there. If you want to go the cheap route, flush your engine then try a block sealant avail from your local parts store. Thats what I did and it has been holding for the last 8 months in the hot FL sun.
2007-09-12 04:26:10 · answer #1 · answered by towbusiness 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have thin hair line fracture that seeps coolant. When the engine is hot the fracture expands and the pressure pushes the coolant out. Therefore creating a void in the radiator. A liquid under pressure does not boils and the expansion tank is for the fluid when expands so the radiator is always full and can transfer heat more efficiently. If you have an Air Pocket in the radiator is not working at full capacity and the engine gets hotter, the hotter it gets the more water will evaporate (like a head of steam on a steam engine) therefore you end up with an blown engine.
The radiator needs to come out, find the fracture, flush and repair accordingly or replace if need it.
A quick check on the hoses to check for the obvious is easier and cheap to get it done. You can do that part.
2007-09-12 04:28:58 · answer #2 · answered by spammer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Carefully inspect as much of the actual radiator core you can. Antifreeze will leave a definite wet streak down the fins originating from the leak. Inspect the crimp seal around both expansion end tanks. There is a long rubber O ring that surrounds each tank. These are very hard to service correctly without the proper tools. I can honestly tell you this much: Any original radiator that's lasted 12 yrs. is on its last legs. Better replace it now rather in the middle of the winter. Its a really easy job. NAPA and Car-quest has replacement radiators that won't brake your wallet. replace the lower and upper radiator hose at the same time. Inspect the heater core hoses also. Replace them if they seem hard, checked or cracked.
2007-09-12 04:34:12 · answer #3 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A quick and easy fix is to add a can of "alumaseal" which can be purchased at most auto parts stores. Don't waste your money on "bronzeseal" it doesn/t work very well. When you have time, you need to have the radiator pressure tested and repaired at a radiator shop. Save money, pull the radiator out yourself and take it to them. Meantime, I've had alumaseal last for many months.
Good luck
2007-09-12 04:34:44 · answer #4 · answered by randy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to a reputable radiator repair shop, and have it checked out..it may be a bad hose or a hole in the radiator--neither require replacing the radiator.
If it's not running hot , it's probably one of these.
2007-09-12 04:27:20 · answer #5 · answered by Sophie B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Come on people - stop replacing parts on a hunch. If you've got that much spare money, send me some of it. Get the system pressure checked - the leak should be readily apparent and more than likely a simple fix.
2016-05-17 21:53:34 · answer #6 · answered by carissa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like, yes, you need new radiator.
2007-09-12 04:21:13 · answer #7 · answered by jumbobret 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check the bottom hose, replace the clamp with a screw on one.
2007-09-12 04:46:53 · answer #8 · answered by cgriffin1972 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋