Coolant/Radiator leak

Donovaldez

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Jan 22, 2023
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My 04 gt has a small coolant leak but no overheating. I flushed the coolant and everything with new top radiator hose. Still leaks a little I think it’s a cracked radiator. Smoke coming from right below top radiator hose on passenger side.
 

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If you were closer I would help you yank that radiator and replace it with a new one, shop around like RockAuto and 1-800Radiator, autozone. Most radiators have plastic tanks now and over time leak at the seam, my toyota has been seeping for a year, come to think of it, if I'm not fixing mine, I doubt I'm helping R&R yours, I will come over, drink your whisky and point at stuff and say "you should fix that", you know useful stuff :jester:
 
If you were closer I would help you yank that radiator and replace it with a new one, shop around like RockAuto and 1-800Radiator, autozone. Most radiators have plastic tanks now and over time leak at the seam, my toyota has been seeping for a year, come to think of it, if I'm not fixing mine, I doubt I'm helping R&R yours, I will come over, drink your whisky and point at stuff and say "you should fix that", you know useful stuff :jester:
So it's most likely the radiator correct?
 
Clean it all off and reposition the radiator clamps and try it again?
Those clamps are too far from the radiator and are on the very end of the hose nipple
They are supposed to be right behind the nipple
Alright yes replace the leaking radiator too after the recheck
 
Clean it all off and reposition the radiator clamps and try it again?
Those clamps are too far from the radiator and are on the very end of the hose nipple
They are supposed to be right behind the nipple
Alright yes replace the leaking radiator too after the recheck
By clamps you mean the radiator hoses right? I’m pretty sure coolant is seeping through cracks in the radiator, here’s a better picture after I warmed up my Stang and coolant started to slowly leak
 

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Yes, It looks like the plastic side tank leaks (the plastic cracks often and the gaskets leak)
Flush that cooling system with the Ford flush to get the rust out
Rust that bad will eat out the freeze plugs
Flush is bad stuff / caustic
Flush it with the old radiator in it maybe
I mentioned the clamps position just so you know
Big fan of solid aluminum radiators myself with no side tanks
If cost is an issue just go stock and call someone like 1800radiator
 
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If your freez plugs (sometimes called 'core plugs' ) are marginal that Ford flush stuff may cause them to start leaking, which can be a good thing.
Yes, it is very caustic. I used it on an engine before I pulled it and swapped all the core plugs, you gotta flush it with fresh water several times.
 
You can rent a pressure tester for the coolant system, which will pressurize it and show you leaks, if there are any.

Based on those photos however, i would guess a new rad is in your future. I would just want to verify it's not bypassing the hose clamp and coming out there first.
 
Yes, It looks like the plastic side tank leaks (the plastic cracks often and the gaskets leak)
Flush that cooling system with the Ford flush to get the rust out
Rust that bad will eat out the freeze plugs
Flush is bad stuff / caustic
Flush it with the old radiator in it maybe
I mentioned the clamps position just so you know
Big fan of solid aluminum radiators myself with no side tanks
If cost is an issue just go stock and call someone like 1800radiator
I replaced the radiator but it’s still smoking but I found where it coming from. It’s just coming from the ac hose right where u insert the Freon in. Is there an easy way to fix it or do I have to replace the whole hose?
 

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