Coolant problems, any advise?
October-27th-2004, 09:30 PM
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Brampton
Posts: 389
Coolant problems, any advise?
Hey whats up guys, ran into a bit of problem in regards to coolant / the wonderful radiator.
Study the pics and make your own conclusion,
cause I am not sure it can be repaired,
and my coolant ran pretty dry over the past 4 months I think. maybe longer.
what do you think Rod?
Study the pics and make your own conclusion,
cause I am not sure it can be repaired,
and my coolant ran pretty dry over the past 4 months I think. maybe longer.
what do you think Rod?
October-27th-2004, 11:20 PM
#2
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: So Cal / Santa Clarita
Posts: 10
Omron ,
The pictures don't tell the whole story! Is there any evidence of coolant above the lower tank line or from the core itself?
If the answer is NO the the leak is probably from the lower tank seal itself. This can be easily repaired by a local radiator shop if there is no tank/core damage also. Just remove your radiator yourself and take it to your local radiator shop and have it inspected , they can pressure check it and give a full detailed estimate.
The pictures don't tell the whole story! Is there any evidence of coolant above the lower tank line or from the core itself?
If the answer is NO the the leak is probably from the lower tank seal itself. This can be easily repaired by a local radiator shop if there is no tank/core damage also. Just remove your radiator yourself and take it to your local radiator shop and have it inspected , they can pressure check it and give a full detailed estimate.
November-1st-2004, 08:25 PM
#3
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Location: Brampton
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Sleeper thanks for the reply,
well I am no expert on Rads, but where you see the coolant (green) is where the leaking is appearing, although everytime I look under my car I never see any fresh coolant, just the dried crusty coolant.
I know that the leaking runs from left to right along the bottom of , umm I think that is the core is it not????? but it seems to run along that joining or seal point.
Someone help me out here, I don't know whats what, but I took more pics. hahha
but I can say that its not leaking from any piping/hose in or out. just seems to be coming right from the bottom of the unit, from all the way to the left and all the way to the right. so I don't think its coming from one side,
possibily the seal is ruptured?
well I am no expert on Rads, but where you see the coolant (green) is where the leaking is appearing, although everytime I look under my car I never see any fresh coolant, just the dried crusty coolant.
I know that the leaking runs from left to right along the bottom of , umm I think that is the core is it not????? but it seems to run along that joining or seal point.
Someone help me out here, I don't know whats what, but I took more pics. hahha
but I can say that its not leaking from any piping/hose in or out. just seems to be coming right from the bottom of the unit, from all the way to the left and all the way to the right. so I don't think its coming from one side,
possibily the seal is ruptured?
November-1st-2004, 10:47 PM
#5
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 11,572
The radiator is leaking between the aluminum and the plastic end caps. this is common with cheap-shitty radiators like we have. Maybe now would be time to upgrade to a beautiful, full aluminum, AWR radiator!! I've thought about doing it myself.
I'm not sure if it can be repaired or not but my advice would be to spend the $400 or so on a NICE unit that won't have this problem anymore. Just keep a jug of water in your trunk until you can afford the AWR piece.
I'm not sure if it can be repaired or not but my advice would be to spend the $400 or so on a NICE unit that won't have this problem anymore. Just keep a jug of water in your trunk until you can afford the AWR piece.
November-2nd-2004, 06:25 AM
#7
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Maryland
Posts: 999
Not a waste of money. A potential investment. if the improved radiator costs twice as much - but lasts 3x longer - it is a good investment.
How long do you plan to keep the car? How often can you expect a failure of the seal (which the Al one doesn't have)? I.e. is an Al 3x more durable?
The unscheduled rock repair is the same for both (doesn't count in this anaylsis).
Compare the two costs (to include a installation cost x3 and/or PIMA* factor x3 for the standard radiator). I.e. cost of the radiator + install x3. Cost of the Al radiator + one install)
So. How much more reliable is a Al radiator vs Standard? What is the cost delta? Fill in and there is your answer...
For Example:
Lets say the Al is INDESTRUCTABLE for this study. But it costs 4x the cost of a standard radiator plus install/PIMA. You might not invest in a radiator that will last longer than the time you expect to own the car. Bad Return on Investment (ROI). However, it is balanced by some intangible PIMA factor, which is kinda' personal to each situation.
So. It depends. I hope this helps some what. Just apply logic. Think through all the costs/benefits through the limited life of the car in the study.
*Pain In MY @ss factor
to include maint, coolant, down-time. Balanced by the fact that only certain failures will be catastrophic (i.e. can't limp a short distance). Most failures (by experience) will be 'soft failures' - repair when convenient/scheduled.
How long do you plan to keep the car? How often can you expect a failure of the seal (which the Al one doesn't have)? I.e. is an Al 3x more durable?
The unscheduled rock repair is the same for both (doesn't count in this anaylsis).
Compare the two costs (to include a installation cost x3 and/or PIMA* factor x3 for the standard radiator). I.e. cost of the radiator + install x3. Cost of the Al radiator + one install)
So. How much more reliable is a Al radiator vs Standard? What is the cost delta? Fill in and there is your answer...
For Example:
Lets say the Al is INDESTRUCTABLE for this study. But it costs 4x the cost of a standard radiator plus install/PIMA. You might not invest in a radiator that will last longer than the time you expect to own the car. Bad Return on Investment (ROI). However, it is balanced by some intangible PIMA factor, which is kinda' personal to each situation.
So. It depends. I hope this helps some what. Just apply logic. Think through all the costs/benefits through the limited life of the car in the study.
*Pain In MY @ss factor
to include maint, coolant, down-time. Balanced by the fact that only certain failures will be catastrophic (i.e. can't limp a short distance). Most failures (by experience) will be 'soft failures' - repair when convenient/scheduled.
November-2nd-2004, 07:08 PM
#8
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Brampton
Posts: 389
What the hell does that mean lol hahah jokin
but seriously, if repairs can be done, I will go that route, its more economical for the moment, well if the quote is respectible, if its not then I will just buy a new standard one.
but seriously, if repairs can be done, I will go that route, its more economical for the moment, well if the quote is respectible, if its not then I will just buy a new standard one.
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