Small leak on bottom of radiator 79 gs.
 

Can you guys tell me if my radiator is bad i installed new hoses first time around i didn't tighten them probably and the antifreeze leaked my fault now i see there is a small leak coming from the right side on the bottom of the radiator. It is in the right hand corner under the lower hose is my radiator shot and do i need to replace it?

It's probably just the hose either not sealing correctly or the clamp isn't right. Start there.

It is not coming from the hose it is coming directly from the radiator on the bottom.

It's to hard to take a good pic from it but is is coming from the radiator not the hose it is right at the bottom right corner under the hose.

A radiator shop can fix most leaks or holes... but may charge more than a replacement rad costs.

The weird thing is it was never leaking before sat all summer and winter in my garage with no problem. Then a couple weeks ago a took the old hoses old and now i put the new ones on and now this leak appears out of nowhere.

Nevermind i am a idiot it was coming from the hose beading down the radiator then leaking from the bottom. Sorry guys hope i am not getting you all pissed off with all my questions this is all new to me.

I took off and put on the hose again and it is still leaking from the sides i tighten the hose clamp really tight and the hose was on there good what am i doing wrong? I am using the flexible rubber hoses and they are gates brand.

Okay it is not coming from the hose it is coming from where you attach the hose the medal pipe that comes out of the radiator it looks like it is leaking right where it attaches to the radiator maybe it cracked it is very hard to tell and get a good look at i can fell that is where it is leaking from.

Here is a pic it is leaking under right where it attaches to the radiator i was jerking it around alot when the hose was stuck on there tight maybe i cracked it.

Cody-
pull it and get it to a shop where they can pressure-test it and find the leak. Has this rad EVER been cleaned?? Now is the time! New hoses all around while its out would be smart. Including that rotten -looking water heater hose (there are 2 of these, and the other long one fails right under the oil filler pedestal eventually!) Install hint: run a finger-tip bead of axle/bearing-grease (the thick stuff) around each pipe end, slide on the hose - will be a breeze to remove next time, and forms a better seal to boot…

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

I suspect you hit the nail on the head. To aid in cooling (it's primary function in life) radiators are built generally light and fragile. I side with Stu, probablly a good time to take it to a radiator shop to have it boiled out and properly fixed and pressure tested. Could cost up to a buck twenty five or so. ($125.00)

But for that money i should just replace the whole radiator instead of trying to fix it.

That's one train of thought...

I like to keep mine stock, plus they don't see any track time or a lot of stress. more pampered really, maintained more than used. The stock radiators are well designed and able to cope with nornal demands. New isn't always better grasshopper.....

For ~200 + shipping get it from rockauto.com:

More Information for SPECTRA PREMIUM / COOLING DEPOT CU701

Well if the pipe broke I am guessing it won't be long till other parts start leaking. I don't want to keep fixing it

I am thinking i should just buy a new one i mean i can fix the old one for around $150 but it is still a 30 plus year old radiator that could have lot's more leaks and problems or i can just buy a new one for the same price. I want to keep it as original as possible tho what should i do?

Snag up a new one, easiest and quickest route probably. That is, if you still believe it's from the radiator and not the hoses. I've had hoses leak because of improper clamping techniques and locations of the clamp. Could try double clamping just to make sure, hoses should be a tight fit before the clamp anyways.

I'd sell ya one if I knew I had a good spare. The one I'm running again is good but I obviously need it for my build. The spare one on the Widebody wasn't any good if I remember correctly, so it's getting scrapped.

Yes, there comes a time when replacing a part becomes more economical feasable than fixing it. Depends on costs and condition of the part in question vs. originality and personal preference.

Did it break due to old age and fatigue or because you were yanking on it trying to get the old hose off? Just cause you could get hit by a car crossing the street, doesn't mean you stop crossing srteets... Not trying to confuse things, I'd just do what ever makes you happy, not satisfy other peoples opinions.

You are over thinking this.

At this point either solution is appropriate.

Just pick one already!!!

Inside of the hoses need to be clean. No old paint or rust. This can lead to leaks, even with double clamps. The red car had this issue caused by a pitted thermostat waterneck. I had to move the clamps to a certain point and then it stopped leaking.

It kept leaking even after the hose was taken off

Cody: It could be that heater core hose that is horribly OEM and 30 YO.


+1 on the OEM radiator. Nothing like a repairable radiator. Pull a flu and solder/braze shut till you can get to a radiator shop that will build it up like brand new.:icon_tup:

FYI I'm running -3 flu's on my red car, it doesn't complain. I'll get it re-cored some day.

I would think that a new radiator would be alot better since it is new so my best bet is to just repair the original is it worth it?

Depends on how badly you damaged the original and your brazing skills. Or the money it will cost to repair the OE one.

For a guy like me.. OE is the way to go. But most just want to drop in Aluminum/plastic in place of the original and call it a day.

I really think you are having issues from the heater core hose and you can't see it.

Attach all of the hoses back. and buy this...

Radiator Pressure Tester Kit

Then do a proper pressure test and you can see where the leak is located.




OR you can just go for broke and buy new hoses all around, water pump, a new radiator and a new heater core itself. :lol: