REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

SuavePapi · 01-23-2014, 09:52 PM

Hi guys, I'm here again. I'm completely oblivious to repairing cars but i'm trying my best to learn. Okay so here's my problem

I have a 1997 integra GS and i recently replaced my upper radiator hose as it has exploded and coolant went all over the place. So 2 days later i started smelling coolant and popped the hood and what do ya know... coolant is right under clamp thats close to the fan, the one nearer to the front bumper (if that makes any sense). I'm trying to figure out where the leak is coming from but I have absolutely no idea where the source is. I felt all around the radiator hose clamps and could not feel any leaks.

I'm thinking maaaaybe its because i over filled the coolant that goes into the gasket, or should i replace the hose that's connected to the gasket to coolant reservoir, replace clamps (not to sure if this will fix it), or maybe its the gasket pressure cap. I have no idea lol, someone please help

willthank/10

DiiCii · 01-24-2014, 07:34 AM

Could it be leaking from the radiator seams? Was the coolant system bled properly after you changed the hose? I'd suggest changing the thermostat and rad cap as those two have to do with pressurizing the system. Could've been the culprit to the first rad hose bursting! Any pics?
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SuavePapi · 01-24-2014, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiiCii

Could it be leaking from the radiator seams? Was the coolant system bled properly after you changed the hose? I'd suggest changing the thermostat and rad cap as those two have to do with pressurizing the system. Could've been the culprit to the first rad hose bursting! Any pics?
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IMG_2873.jpg
IMG_2874.jpg
IMG_2875.jpg
Check them out let me know. I tried squeezing the end piece (near the clamp) and a little bit of coolant comes out. Could it be that i need to place the clamp a bit closer to the end?

PS. I didn't change the clamps, thermostat, or bled the system and i'm not too entirely sure if its the top of the radiator thats leaking. Everything feels dry... weird eh?

EDIT: Okay so i think i found the source of the leak

kuntt.jpg

I cleaned up the coolant and took the car for a quick little drive and popped the hood and saw it leaking, not from the hose but from the radiator?

BraedenDA · 01-24-2014, 05:28 PM

Change the clamp and make sure theres no holes in the hose. Also by the looks of it, the hose isnt on far enough. Could also be corrosion beneath the hose.
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SuavePapi · 01-24-2014, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BraedenDA

Change the clamp and make sure theres no holes in the hose. Also by the looks of it, the hose isnt on far enough. Could also be corrosion beneath the hose.
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I changed the hose yesterday and I just recently moved the clamp more closer to the end and its still leaking. if its corrosion beneath the hose could i just use some kind of sealant and just seal it so it doesn't leak?

BraedenDA · 01-24-2014, 05:44 PM

You would have to take the rad end of the hose of and scrub it with emery cloth.
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fliptuner · 01-24-2014, 05:59 PM

If it's cracked, it's toast.

I might have one, have to check.

SuavePapi · 01-24-2014, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BraedenDA

You would have to take the rad end of the hose of and scrub it with emery cloth.
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Would that help at all?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ICE BOY

If it's cracked, it's toast.

I might have one, have to check.

I really hope it isn't cracked and it's just the hose that's leaking lol. Everything was perfectly fine before replacing the hose (besides the hose exploding) but other than that... yeah it was all smooth sailing o_o

BrRsn · 01-24-2014, 06:46 PM

Just be careful of anywhere where you have the metal of the radiator meeting the plastic housing -- that's usually where they start to leak

Look at your hood, there might be white powdery stuff from the coolant spraying and drying, that might help track down the leak

but, if you're sure that it is the hose leaking, what kind of a clamp did you use on it -- the screw type clamp, or a tension clamp that requires pliers to put on/take off? The screw clamps can be hit and miss and loosen unexpectedly

SuavePapi · 01-24-2014, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhillon09

Just be careful of anywhere where you have the metal of the radiator meeting the plastic housing -- that's usually where they start to leak

Look at your hood, there might be white powdery stuff from the coolant spraying and drying, that might help track down the leak

but, if you're sure that it is the hose leaking, what kind of a clamp did you use on it -- the screw type clamp, or a tension clamp that requires pliers to put on/take off? The screw clamps can be hit and miss and loosen unexpectedly

I'm pretty sure its where the metal meets the plastic housing is where its leaking, right under the gasket cap hose god damn lol. Would i have to replace the whole thing or are there any other fixes?

& i used a tension clamp. I think its the OEM one, i don't think previous owner changed it ever since but it's snug though.

DiiCii · 01-24-2014, 11:06 PM

Replace that clamp with an actual hose clamp. I usually toss the old clamps out. I've always had bad luck with reusing oem clamps that you just squeeze to loosen..
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Puck Luck · 01-24-2014, 11:10 PM

aftermarket upper rad hose...my guess is the hose doesn't fit snuggly around the upper rad spout. Especially after seeing that first pic, almost looks swollen. Thats on oem clamp, likely not strong enough. try another hose clamp, the ones you can crank tighter. And move the clamp closer to the end of the spout. (just before the bulge)

godwin · 01-25-2014, 12:25 AM

It is a 2+ person job.

1. Drain the coolant and dispose it properly, leave the bottom radiator drain plug open. Having coolant around just makes things messy and you have to refill anyways.
2. Flush the cooling system (ie while the car is running, put a hose with running water to it, turn up the heat). Keep the water circulating in the system, until the fluid that comes out of the radiator is clear for a while (you would want to catch the first few seconds of the flushing and dispose of it).
3. While the car is running, turn down the hose, then you should be where the leak is.
4. Once you locate the leak, open the radiator plug again to drain the water. Refill with proper coolant with proper procedure.

Hint: If the damage requires removing radiator hoses etc.. Consider changing the thermostat and water pump + related hoses, since you have to go in and do those things anyways.

Make sure your clamp is automotive grade not designed for homes. Automotive ones won't bite into the hose.

SuavePapi · 01-26-2014, 10:11 PM

Okay I fixed it! I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier.... Ughh

So what i did was dried down the whole radiator and drove the car for 10 minutes hard. Then i looked at where i thought the leak was and what do ya know, the clamp wasn't on tight enough. So I let the car cool down for about 2 hours went and bought a new clamp and put that bad boy on and what do ya know! It stopped leaking.

Lesson of the day,

Don't forget to bleed the coolant, change the gasket cap, and change the clamps everytime you put on an aftermarket hose onto your radiator. Lesson learned! Thank you all for the help

thanks has been given. add me on snapchat i'm king dik