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Radiator Leak
I may be in trouble. I noticed a small radiator leak at the very bottom of the radiator. There is a bluish cast to the fluid where it appears (copper?). I checked the coolant with a test strip. Everything within spec (pH 7, nitrates fine). The coolant is Fleetcharge (pink).
What are my options? Remove intercooler/CAC and then radiator and have it repaired. This looks like a big project.
Or try some of the radiator leak stop products (e.g. Bars). Concern of course is messing up something else in the coolant circuit.
What would you guys do?
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36 Replies
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What does the rad look like from the fan side? Depends on what the overall condition is of the rad…could be as simple as tighten some bolts that hold the tank on, to a new unit…I use no additives in a system to stop a coolant leak…
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On your vintage coach pulling the radiator is a bit of a project, but not nearly as bad as pulling the side by side intercoolers and radiators. If I were in your shoes I would clean and dry the suspected area of the leak and then with mirrors or a cheap TV probe like a borescope try to identify the origin of the leak. As Jeff says if it is associated with where the core bolts to the bottom just tightening some bolts may do the trick, but if it is where the fins join the end at the very bottom the radiator comes out for a new core or repair.
No Stop Leak.
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The radiator and CAC/intercooler look great. No corrosion, no bent fins.
I can’t see any leaks looking from the fan side to the radiator fins. I’ll try to snake a camera between the CAC and the radiator from the outside but my best guess is it leaks at the very bottom.
Is the bottom of the radiator screwed to the radiator? Which bolts would I have to tighten? Isn’t the radiator just one piece?
Thanks for your help!
Gerald
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Our radiators are not like the cars with a formed header and bottom section soldered to a core assembly. They are a core assembly bolted top and bottom to ends that have the inlet and outlet fittings on them. And those radiators are HEAVY.
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This makes no sense. Who has blue anti freeze ?
Installed coolant is pink in system, you say. How does Pink turn Blue ? Most time coolant has properties causing a couple of drops to appear like a flood.
Looks more like Permatex gasket maker someone used to hold something in place while in re-assembly.
AL
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Some coolant is blue. THE COOLANT COLORS TODAY ARE OFTEN TO IDENTIFY BRANDS OR TYPES OF COOLANT WITHIN A BRAND.
But I doubt if the coolant coming from the radiator in this case is blue.
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The coolant itself is pinkish. You are probably correct that the bluish area around the leak is a sealant. It makes sense now that I understand that the radiator core is bolted together. I have to look and see if I can snug up the bolts.
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So Jon, who has blue anti freeze / coolant as you post ?
AL
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I’ll have to go back and retrace my trail through the internet when I was learning about the various coolants that met the required specification. Along the way I stumbled across a tabulation of coolants, types, colors, etc. I then read an article that not only gave the colors of some coolants, but the reasoning behind the coloration which was typically a brand identifier or a brand identifier and within the brand the type.
From memory Caterpillar who created the EC-1 specification OAT coolant has colored it yellow. Detroit uses a magenta color.
Because you are such a nice guy I will go back and try to retrace my steps.
But trust me, the old folks tale that if it is green it is OK for our coaches is BS. It can be any color as long as the coolant meets the spec.
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This is a good start, but the one I am trying to find lists coolants specifically for Detroit, Cat, Cummins, etc.
https://www.valvoline.com/our-products/antifreeze-products/antifreeze-education/engine-coolant
Keep in mind the technology has changed significantly and in addition to the conventional ethylene Glycol, we added OAT when Cat developed it, and now we are seeing nitride free OAT technology and we seem to have more brands and types than we do colors.
https://www.holtsauto.com/prestone/news/why-is-coolant-different-colours/
http://blendtech.biz/antifreeze-information/diesel-engine-coolant.html
OK, will that be enough or will you make me keep digging? I still can’t find the tabulation I want, but I think you can agree coolants can be any color.
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Zerex = Blue.
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The OP has stated that the coolant is pinkish in color.
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With all that info Jon….I’am sort of on coolant overload.
Seriously, lots of good info.
Thanks
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The bottom line on coolants is some coolants, including Rotella ELC NF, the Mobil counterpart, and now the latest nitride free Power Cool Plus are relatively inexpensive and while they meet our Detroit specification, may also be used across the board on our cars and small trucks. It is now possible I do not need individual coolants for my GM cars, pickup with Cummins, Mercedes, etc. because what works for my bus will also work with them.
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New radiator going in my coach. Had to remove 2 air conditioner condensers and shroud. Stupidly expensive job.
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