Here Comes the snow where went my antifreeze

[aphex412]

So it finally snowed i went to head out to work strated my car up to let it heat up. I got in temp was just above the C So I started to head to work I got about a block from my house turned on the heat and cold air. Look down at the temp gauge its about 3/4 up So i pull over kill the engine pop the hood and i see a little dab of antifreeze on the fan shrowd. So i checked the hose(Gave it a squeeze) not like normal. I get the car home Later on i go out to check it out after everything has cooled down. Pop the cap Nothing . there wasn't a Tstat or anything. No antifreeze just looked like i drove the and never did any manitence. I just bought the car about two months ago the guy a bought it off of showed me the last mantience he had done was he had the radiator flushed and filled. Like a month before i got it. Now i stuck with another Dsm in the driveway with no clue where to look for answers.

P.S. i got the radiator out and it looks like all holy **** there is a little section of it where there are no cooling fins. and it looks burnt on the inner part of the radiator.

Please help

 

[Defiant]

You were lied to, and now you have another project car.

Whether you have legal recourse will depend on your local regulations and your own energy levels.

Other recourse options need not be discussed, but I've never forgotten where I've bought a car

 

[oldman]

Buy another radiator for $95 and move on.

 

[aphex412]

I know ai need a new radiator but a friend told me to also check the water pump. Is there anyway i can tell without taking it out. I need to find a new/ newer radiator with out killing me on the price.

 

[phastalon]

try taking it to a radiator shop, i'm sure they can fix it for you for very little money.

a while back i had several leaks from my radiator and it seemed to come out of nowhere. i took it to a local shop and told them that i heard they were the best in town. he said it would probably cost about $30-$40 to fix. i came back to pick it up and it ended costing me $18. i haven't had a problem with it since then, these guys definately knew what they were doing.

 

[Bostedquest]

Most water pumps that are made within the last 10 years or so have a leak check port.
It is a small hole that is drill behind (once the dry side) of the water pump bearing. When the bearing begins to go bad, it leak, and that leak will allow coolant to flow from that port hole.

SO I would say replace the radiator, If it has a sizable hole (over 1") I would not suggest "repairing" it. Just save the trouble.

Fill the system start the car and look for other leaks, including on the spark plugs (exceptionally clean), oil dip stick (nice grey brown froth) and the exhaust (constant white smoke). Running without coolant is one of the quickest ways to pop a head gasket.

 

[aphex412]

So i checked the oil and plugs both are fine. So you still think it the radiator. my only thing is i never saw any antifreeze pool under my car

 

[aphex412]

So i found a radiator for 119.00. Has anybody ever had problems with Modine radiators. Im looking for something stock but these have metal endtanks instead of plastic ones

 

[Defiant]

Modine's a good name. Some prefer metal tanks over plastic, because plastic's "fragile". They don't realize it's already lasted ten years and longer. There's not a dime's difference between the styles anymore.

 

[I-luv-em-all]

Some prefer metal tanks over plastic, because plastic's "fragile". They don't realize it's already lasted ten years and longer. There's not a dime's difference between the styles anymore.

Thats so true. Just get one wih plastic end tanks, what the big deal.

 

[Bostedquest]

So i checked the oil and plugs both are fine. So you still think it the radiator. my only thing is i never saw any antifreeze pool under my car

have you simply filled and ran the system?
if not do that first.
You cannot find a leak without anyhting being there TOO leak.

There have been so many threads about coolant leaks the past week, I am getting them confused.

So...

1. Fill the system with just water.
Put the cap on and wait for the system to get to operating temps, and pressurized.

2. If nothing is found dripping or spewing steam by the time the thermostat opens your fine.

3. If the system passes the above your fine. Drain water and fill with mixed coolant/water.

*NOTE
IMMEDIATELY shut off engine if Steam/white smoke is found coming out of tail pipe, around intake or exhaust manifolds (see tech section for replacing head gasket) or if the temp guage goes over 200*.