Coolant leak mystery

Dwake

Member
Jan 16, 2006
6
0
Ok, here is the story. About 3 years ago my 2001 D2 overheated. Turns out the coolant must have been really low, since the resevior was empty. Wound up replacing head gasket, all new hoses, and then the water pump. About 2 weeks after this was done it was at the shop again for something else and they told me I had a radiator leak. I decided to deal with it later and just watch the resevior. At some point it stopped leaking?? The resevior was always level and I didn't see any dripping anymore. So a few months ago I noticed the resevior went empty again. I never saw a leak. Filled it up and I see a small leak. It empties and no leak. I can go with empty resevior for weeks with no drip leak. But when I fill it up to its proper level I get the leak. It's on driver side in the front pretty much right under radiator. So I don't think it's the resevior itself. So what gives here. Is something leaking other than radiator.
I didn't trust the dealer since they wana replace your whole cooling system for a drip, and the new trusted private rover mechanic I now have never said a word about a leak. But like I said its leaking occasionally now.

I'm stumped.

Thanks
 

leshassell

Well-known member
Sep 1, 2008
148
0
Kilgore, TX
pull the plastic piece that covers the top of the radiator and look around where the top hose and the plastic line go in... you'll probably find the leak there
 

Dwake

Member
Jan 16, 2006
6
0
Yup that's where I found it. Turns out there is a small crack in the plastic on the side of the radiator. Freaking plastic, really? I can't believe they make crap like that. You can't even see the leak until the coolant heats up. Then it comes weeping out if a slit about 1cm long. Must not happen whe the radiator isn't full. I guess I can try to seal it shut. Maybe glue a piece of METAL to reinforce and seal it.
 

riceybean

Well-known member
Jun 29, 2008
861
0
Vancouver, WA
Just replace it with flexible hose from your local auto parts store. Should be the one that crosses over to the expansion tank, replaced both of my hard lines for about 8 bucks.
 

leshassell

Well-known member
Sep 1, 2008
148
0
Kilgore, TX
I think his radiator itself is leaking, not the hard lines. You can try packing it with Right Stuff or something similar but the plastic tends to expand and contract at different rates than the sealer so it'll start leaking again eventually. Replacement radiator isn't too expensive and is an easy enough job. I'm sure you can get someone to build a metal tanked replacement but it would be pricey.
 

dcarr1971

Well-known member
Jun 16, 2010
610
0
Pittsburgh, PA USA
...I'm sure you can get someone to build a metal tanked replacement but it would be pricey.

FYI..."pricey" = approx. $700 - $1100. (I got quotes on having one made last fall...it included 3 or 4 rows/cores, where I think the stock one had 2(?).)

IMO, not worth it...at least not for me. I've destroyed 2 radiators in the past 2 years. (1 lost to a fan blade which broke when the fan hit to shroud due to a broken motor mount, the other to a broken fan that let go for no apparent reason.) If you offroad the truck at all, IMHO dropping that kind of coin on a custom radiator just doesn't make much sense...
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
Yup that's where I found it. Turns out there is a small crack in the plastic on the side of the radiator. Freaking plastic, really? I can't believe they make crap like that. You can't even see the leak until the coolant heats up. Then it comes weeping out if a slit about 1cm long. Must not happen whe the radiator isn't full. I guess I can try to seal it shut. Maybe glue a piece of METAL to reinforce and seal it.



And to think those ass holes at the stealership wanted to sell you one of those . Bunch of f crooks I tell ya.