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Radiator leak

14K views 21 replies 5 participants last post by  Gus9890 
#1 ·
So just discovered that my radiator has a leak:mad:. It is at the seam between the aluminum core and the right hand plastic side cap (when looking from the front), just behind the airco condensor tube connection. No cracks visible, so do you guys or girls have good experience with radiator leak stop, or is that a complete no-go.
Either way, it will probably mean a new radiator in the (near) future, so which is the best place to buy a good quality radiator? Because shipping to Brazil is quite expensive (as is the importation tax of 60 %), i would like to do this exercise only once.
 
#2 ·
Sounds like yours failed in the same way mine did. Make sure to get a new upper and lower hose as long as you are in there, I had to cut the lower to get it off anyway. It's not the most fun job with the hydraulic fan in the way but it's pretty straight forward. Wish I could smuggle you a new radiator, sucks that the import tax is so high.
 
#3 ·
Oh and I didn't have much luck on an older car wit stop leak, plus I have been warned if the stuff doesn't mix in well it can block up the radiator or heater core.
 
#4 · (Edited)
That is something i was afraid of, that the stopleak would plug everything and cause more problems then solving them.
I'm seriously thinking in flying to Miami and get some parts myself overthere. With my airline discount i will already be cheaper with the radiator only and even won't have to pay the 60% import tax:p.
When i'm there, i could buy some other stuff at the same time, like the trackbar bushings and whatever else i can come up with. Maybe wise to get both front wheel hub bearings as well, eventhough they don't make any noise yet. But with 170.000 Km on the clock i could expect them to go bad soon.
It only should fit all in a suitcase.
Can anyone tell me which brand is the one to go with for the radiator?
 
#5 ·
Mine is a Spectra Premium, it seems to be well made and is listed as a favorite part on Rockauto. I actually bought mine at O'reilly's because I needed it faster than rockauto would send it. I would also get new upper and lower hoses, a thermostat, and a radiator cap. Might as well do it all while the system is drained and not have to deal with that mess again any time soon.
 
#6 ·
Just had a better look at the radiator, and there is a very small vertical crack along the seam in the plastic end cap of the radiator. Can imagine that this very small leak could easily end up in a complete separation of the cap when the system is pressurized.
1.5 year ago, when i changed my waterpump, i also changed the thermostat. The only thing was that the seal which came with the thermostat was too thick, causing the thermostat housing not to close properly. Ended up with using the old packing.
Anybody else experience with other brands of radiators and recommend one or which one is a complete NO-GO?
 
#8 ·
It definitely could, my Dad ordered a radiator for my Mom's car that had a small leak, when she got home the night we were going to replace it the radiator was gushing coolant. Good luck getting it fixed!
 
#9 ·
Not so sure about the spectra radiator, mind just totally blew up while driving, didnt realize it at first but hopefully I didn't blow a head gasket or worse.
 
#11 ·
Change in diagnosis, looks like just the lower hose came off. Might not be so bad after all.
 
#12 ·
Just happened today Aaron? Indeed hoping that it didn´t overheated the engine.:(.
Just filled my shopping cart with material from Rockauto.com, can better charter a freighter for the flight back...................:eek:
 
#13 ·
Rockauto can do that to you, its like my wife at the shoe store! :lol:

Yeah, I had kind of a rough morning. Emptied the cooling system in a hurry lol. Lower hose came off is all, I had it towed back to the house (no charge, yay for roadside assistance from the insurance company!) and got it reattached with a new clamp and filled it back up and all is good! I was worried I could have warped heads or blown the head gasket, but all seems well. God these Jeeps are fun :slapfight:
 
#18 ·
Try this one out buddy!

79531553023843
 
#20 ·
Glad to help! Just used that one to order a new rear upper a-arm :thumbsup:
 
#21 · (Edited)
Ok, the order is done, now only waiting for the stuff to arrive. Unfortunately my collegue (chef) is out of town next week, so probably i can only come over around the 10th of March. In the meantime using my motorbike, a Suzuki C90 Boulevard, so its not a real punishment to be without my jeep :D.............. at least for a while.
 

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