Coolant leak

[Dtrow]

Strange place but upon pressure testing there is a small leak around the serial number plate at the top of the radiator.
Is this a known spot for a leak and does it mean the radiator needs to be replaced?

 

[bmart]

If fluid is coming out of there...and not up from the seam, that would be unusual. Either way...looks like a radiator from RockAuto is in order!

 

[Dtrow]

If fluid is coming out of there...and not up from the seam, that would be unusual. Either way...looks like a radiator from RockAuto is in order!

No not coming up from the seam but going down to the foam strip and saturating it. It appears that the coolant then travels along the top of the rad and drips down on the driver's side

 

[bmart]

Out of the seam in your pic and not the cap and dripping down to the seam?

 

[Dtrow]

Out of the seam in your pic and not the cap and dripping down to the seam?

Could also be getting cap which I will check but definitely from the little plate on which the serial number is stamped. Under pressure or when running hot I can wipe it dry and watch it seep out and down to the foam strip.

 

[bmart]

My suggestion is to do this bypressurizing the system with the proper tool, not from the engine running and the car driving. Coolant can be blown all over under there.

 

[Dtrow]

My suggestion is to do this bypressurizing the system with the proper tool, not from the engine running and the car driving. Coolant can be blown all over under there.

I did use the pressure testing kit and the pressure dropped off quickly going to zero in about 5 minutes. I also let the engine run to operating temp. and same spot leaked. There is evidence of coolant having been blow back behind the spot so think I have found the problem.

 

[Raymond3006]

Some of the really THIN (watery _!) LOCCTITE SUPER GLUE (from a 20g bottle) [Product Code 0-79340-68624-3] could probably seal that ; BUT ONLY AFTER A VERY THROUGH CRACK CLEANING WITH ACETONE .... !

It also would not hurt to make sure that you Rad. Cap is NOT over-pressurizing your System : I run mine at 12-PSIG just to protect all the new-fangled (LOW-TECH !) seals on these CHEAP_JUNK Radiators ..... !!!!!

 

[Dtrow]

Some of the really THIN (watery _!) LOCCTITE SUPER GLUE (from a 20g bottle) [Product Code 0-79340-68624-3] could probably seal that ; BUT ONLY AFTER A VERY THROUGH CRACK CLEANING WITH ACETONE .... !

It also would not hurt to make sure that you Rad. Cap is NOT over-pressurizing your System : I run mine at 12-PSIG just to protect all the new-fangled (LOW-TECH !) seals on these CHEAP_JUNK Radiators ..... !!!!!

Good suggestions and I will try both. Thanks.