Radiator Question

94BlueTracker · 10-28-2009, 04:03 PM

my radiator seems or be leaking or it's the upper hose, im not sure.

i don't see coolant on the ground.

my temp gauge isn't saying its over heating, it's were it normally is.

the coolant just pools up on top of the radiator all around the lip (see pictures, i wiped some of the coolant off, so there is less then there really is)

has anyone had this problem?

Richard Craneum · 10-28-2009, 07:11 PM

Could be the hose from the bottom (the part that you can not see on the top hose), make sure that is not the case. If so, check the cap and any other hose. The worst case us that you could have a crack somewhere around the seem. A pressure test can be done to test the integrity of the radiator.

I found a way that was pretty easy and cheap.

1) Buy a bicycle inner tube that can fit around the radiator hose tube.
2) Drain and the radiator and remove it
3) Cut the inner tube in half leaving the Shrader Valve Steam on it.
4) Attach each end of the tube on the in and out of the radiator fitting.
5) Place the radiator cap on
6) Pump some air.
7) Submerge the radiator on water and watch for bubbles.

I do not know how much is for one brand new. They seems to be cheaper than let a radiator repair shop fix it.

riley · 10-28-2009, 07:51 PM

Check the hose going to your overflow tank. They can get bad and weep on to the top of the rad.

94BlueTracker · 10-29-2009, 12:10 AM

anyone know were to get a radiator cheap?

austin · 10-29-2009, 02:04 AM

make sure you have the right cap, i drove for a few years with the wrong one, it never overheated but i wondered where the fluid was going.

yellow2000S/R · 10-29-2009, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94BlueTracker

anyone know were to get a radiator cheap?

Rock-Auto has radiators for the Tracker starting at ~$105+ shipping

billsmartis · 10-29-2009, 09:37 AM

I had the same problem on my 2000 tracker and found the top of tank cracked. It only leaked when driving and causing agitation but if it sat at idle it wasn't obvious it took a while to find it because it evaporated off of crack but would lay in top groove where it was crimped to radiator core which sounds like your problem.

Bill S.

greentruckhank · 10-29-2009, 10:26 AM

I had the same thing happen on my first 92 and it may be pretty common. I believe the gasket between the tank and core goes to pot with age. Then when it is at cooler temps leaks. Mine didn't when it was hot but porbably contracted when cooler.---------Hank

94BlueTracker · 10-29-2009, 12:09 PM

That does sound like my problem.

Would a leaky radiator cap do the same thing or would it be leaking way more?

greentruckhank · 10-29-2009, 01:43 PM

I'm not too sure. It could be about the same. While I wouldnt think there'd be much around the top of the tank. But you can try the cap first and if it don't help you'll want to use it anyway if you have to get a new or reconed radiator.--------Hank