Aluminum radiators leaking from the same spot. Whats causing this?

[mintalontsi]

Hi, i'm new to dsmtuners. I have a black 93 tsi with 73k miles. I'm running a 20g on 15psi. I had a cxracing aluminum radiator that started to leak after a month of owning the car under the top radiator hose inlet by the core area. I ordered a new all aluminum radiator from ebay (same as the cxracing) after a day it is leaking from the same area as the one i just took out. No holes in hose.

I currently have to turn on my defrost to get both electric fans to come on as the cooling fan relay keeps blowing out. Does anyone know what can be the cause of this leak from the same area in my radiator? and how to fix the cooling fan relays?

I didn't find any solutions through the search feature. Thanks in advance everyone.

 

[bryanwheat]

Are you sure that nothing is rubbing on the radiator? It could just be a flaw in the design. Is it in the tank, or in the core itself. As for the fan relay, are you running oem fans or aftermarket fans?

 

[Gamovr]

Do you have pictures? Is it possible its leaking else where and running to that area?

 

[mintalontsi]

There is nothing rubbing against the radiator. I can't see the actual leak, just the coolant stream coming down the fins under the top coolant inlet. Idk if it's from the top rad tank or the center core. I am running aftermarket fans. btw i have the cooling fans tied through the radiator fins as the previous owner had the rad fans mounted the same on the first rad, but they are below where the leak coming from.

 

[92AWDHX40]

I would send it back if it leaks or have it pressure tested, or take it out and run water through it and look.

 

[DSM1G90]

Vehicles with AC have to keep their systems in a operating condition during the winter months. Thus, when you do defrost, the compressor kicks on to keep the AC oil circulating and in doing so, the fans have to come on to dispense the heat from the condenser core up front.

Just a normal condition - plus, with both fans coming on, you know your coolant in the radiator is being kept at the nominal temperature needed for the ECU to tell the motor to give its best performance.

Funny how many users disable all of this and wonder of performance issues are showing up.

-DSM

 

[thirsty]

G'day.
I think the problem is with the top radiator hose being too short or old and hard therefore no flexibility. Check your engine/roll stopper mounts, if the engine is moving backwards and forwards the stress on aluminum could crack the tank.
Cheers
Ross

 

[mintalontsi]

Turns out that the upper radiator hose was tight but not tight enough smh. I tightened it and it's good now. I'm still trying to figure the deal with the fans though.

 

[92AWDHX40]

great simple fix.

 

[mercaholik]

What kind of fans, ebay ones have been known to cause problems. I've heard of people wiring in dedicated relays for aftermarket fans. I hear slim line and spal are good and you usually get what you pay for. Good idea on the ducting glad to hear it worked out.

 

[mintalontsi]

Idk what the brand is as they came on the car when i bought it. I suspect it could be ebay though. Would the best course of action be to ditch my current fans for the above mentioned slimline/spal?