Lower radiator hose fitting leak

Disco95

Well-known member
Mar 20, 2020
51
21
Portland, OR
Hi all,

After getting everything back together from a timing cover job, the D1's sprung a leak at the lower hose fitting on the radiator. I'm fairly sure it's a Nissens unit. Does anyone know how the plastic "elbow" adaptor that bolts to the rad is sealed? It's always hard to pinpoint, but it sure looks like coolant's leaking at the plastic adaptor to rad interface. Tried gently snugging the two bolts with no luck. You can see it in the Lucky8 product shot below, two bolts to rad. I'd like to know what's back there before I open the system again. O-ring? Gasket? The rad's a fairly recent replacement.

1652121708188.png
Cheers,
joe in pdx
 

Flyfish

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2004
1,402
212
52
St. Louis
Maybe first add some UV dye so you know exactly where the leak is. Then if it is the seal on the elbow, pull it, add Right Stuff and your done.
 

robertf

Well-known member
Jan 22, 2006
4,778
354
-
fun story. I bought a nissens for one of mine about 6 months ago. that lower part where the pegs go into the bushings was riveted on backwards and the small tubes on the top for the overflow tank and throttle body heater were blind.
 

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
561
Seattle
fun story. I bought a nissens for one of mine about 6 months ago. that lower part where the pegs go into the bushings was riveted on backwards and the small tubes on the top for the overflow tank and throttle body heater were blind.
That's a bummer. I've had a Nissens in my D1 for five years and it is still working well. I'll consider other options next time I need a radiator, but it has surpassed my expectations.
 

robertf

Well-known member
Jan 22, 2006
4,778
354
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I did buy it from rock auto, and In starting to think everything they sell is a blem
 

best4x4

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2015
595
72
Beaumont, TX
It has an O-Ring for a gasket. I personally have noticed the bolts which secure it loosen over time so I have used a dab of blue loctite on them and it stopped seeping during the winter when it was colder. You should be able to get another O-ring and apply a little Right Stuff to it and call it a day.
 
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Disco95

Well-known member
Mar 20, 2020
51
21
Portland, OR
It has an O-Ring for a gasket. I personally have noticed the bolts which secure it loosen over time so I have used a dab of blue loctite on them and it stopped seeping during the winter when it was colder. You should be able to get another O-ring and apply a little Right Stuff to it and call it a day.

Thanks for the info! Not excited about going through the bleeding process again, but I think part of that was the non-OEM upper rad hose. It's just a straight hose and arcs up above the top of the rad. I think/hope it was the air trap. Gives me a chance to track down a new upper hose anyhow.

Cheers,
joe in pdx