Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 14, 2025 ...

Antifreeze leak

May 26, 2018, 08:27:56 pm

I noticed a leak near where a big 2 1/2" pipe comes out of the side radiator, where a rubber hose lays on top of it. I had put a "spacer" between the two, last year, fearing the heat would destroy the hose.

What I now have is a pinhole leak at the top of the metal pipe, just under where the rubber hose crosses it. It is under A LOT of pressure, and I have already collected over a gallon of antifreeze, with no end in sight. That is NOT counting what has been leaking as I drive. We are stopped in a RV park, near Concord NH. Of course, it is Saturday night of the Memorial Day Weekend. There is a Cummins dealer in Concord, but I'm sure they will be closed Monday. I bought an epoxy leak fixer at Auto Zone, which worked for about five minutes. Then the pressure bulged up the putty, and it's leaking again.

I was hoping there would be a tape that I could apply for a temporary fix, as I am about four hours to our home in Maine. The antifreeze is very slick, and with it coming out, under pressure, I am at a loss as to how to proceed.

Any ideas of a fix, and also, after it is all said and done, how do I determine how much antifreeze to put back in??

Why is this metal pipe filled with antifreeze?? Why is it under pressure with the engine off and the cap to the fill off??
I don't want to try and drive it 245 miles while it is leaking.

Help!!!!

Quote Selected

Re: Antifreeze leak

Reply #1 – May 26, 2018, 09:07:37 pm

We had a 2-1/2" rubber hose leak.  The same as the one the connects the radiator to the metal pipe.  We lost 11 gallons of coolant.  Even with the pressure cap off I think where you are describing is a low point in the coolant systems.  No fixing this without draining the coolant. You could get a piece of heavy wall silicone coolant hose, 2-1/2" would be good, and a constant tension hose clamp.  Put a piece of the hose around the pipe and the hose clamp around it centered over the hole.  Tighten it up.  It may be enough to get you home. 

Pressure in the coolant system runs 3 or 4 psi to about 12 psi.  You may be able to braze the hole.  Maybe replace the pipe.

Quote Selected

Re: Antifreeze leak

Reply #2 – May 26, 2018, 09:11:26 pm

With out a pic it is hard to see your situation.  Sounds like a connection tube.  Maybe if it connects a rubber hose that is a similar size as the problem area, you can slice off  about 1in of the near end of the hose, slide it  down over the  hole, clamp it and clamp the cut off hose.  You will need at least one more clamp. 

 Mediocre minds think similar:)

Quote Selected

Re: Antifreeze leak

Reply #3 – May 26, 2018, 09:15:21 pm

The pinhole is in a metal pipe that comes off the side radiator and runs parallel to the side and then turns 90 degress at the back of the engine.

Quote Selected

Re: Antifreeze leak

Reply #4 – May 26, 2018, 09:20:22 pm

Drill it , add some RTV to a rivit and pull a rivit into it gently .  Not enough pressure to pop the rivit , just enough to form the rivit/goo to the pipe.

Quote Selected

Re: Antifreeze leak

Reply #5 – May 26, 2018, 09:33:04 pm

Put a piece of rubber over the hole and use a hose clamp. I have done this on city water pressure over 100 psi as a temp dix.

Quote Selected

Re: Antifreeze leak

Reply #6 – May 26, 2018, 09:46:08 pm

Do the hose clamp and a piece of rubber like the above posts say and replace the pipe when you get home,take some pictures to show us.

Quote Selected

Re: Antifreeze leak

Reply #7 – May 26, 2018, 09:54:50 pm

For your drive home, loosen the radiator cap so that pressure does not build up in the radiator.  Run easy and don't put a heavy load on the engine to minimize heat and pressure build up.  Do this in conjunction with what ever you decide to do to temporarily plug the hole.  There are some good stop leaks out there that will plug a hole if not too large.  Plug the hole, loosen the radiator cap and ease on home.  Have a great day  ----  Fritz

Quote Selected

Re: Antifreeze leak

Reply #8 – May 26, 2018, 10:01:27 pm

Thanks, all

Quote Selected

Re: Antifreeze leak

Reply #9 – May 26, 2018, 10:16:04 pm

While it might work, putting a rivet in it would scare me, wouldn't want any of it to break off and go into the engine or radiator. I would depressurize the system, drain it if you have to dry it, put some epoxy putty on it, cover with hose, clamp it and take it easy. Hopefully some can braise it when you get to where your going.

Quote Selected

Re: Antifreeze leak

Reply #10 – May 26, 2018, 10:44:22 pm

Do a search for Bars Leak, also had a pinhole, James T. at Foretravel recommended  it.

Quote Selected

Re: Antifreeze leak

Reply #11 – May 27, 2018, 07:45:48 am

I wrapped a water pipe under 100+ lbs of pressure 10 years ago and it's still there. I believe in it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCTKLnop7cU

Quote Selected

Re: Antifreeze leak

Reply #12 – May 27, 2018, 08:01:27 am

Depending on the size of the pinhole and thickness of the pipe another thing you could try is a screw with a gasket on the head.  But like others have said I'd put a piece of hose on it and use constant tension clamps.  Or a silicone self fusing tape like Rescue tape?

Quote Selected

Re: Antifreeze leak

Reply #13 – May 27, 2018, 08:24:15 am

    We repaired a small pin-hole leak in our coolant pipe with a Band Aid product like this: Stainless Steel Pipe Repair Clamp-Fast, Easy and Permanent We purchased from a commercial/industrial plumbing supply store.  For a temporary repair, until I could locate the pipe Band-Aid, we  used a pipe clamp and piece of rubber from a cheap mud-flap. The Band-Aid has been on for over three years, and so far (knock walnut) no problems.  The replacement pipe from FOT was big $$
Good Luck, Dave A

Quote Selected

Re: Antifreeze leak

Reply #14 – May 27, 2018, 02:26:06 pm

Drain it below the leak, high grade two part epoxy, let it dry for 24 hours before putting coolant back in. 

Then use 1/2 dose of Barrs stop leak for the total coolant in the system.  I used the tablet kind, crushed them before adding.  "Probably"  permanent fix.

Quote Selected

Re: Antifreeze leak

Reply #15 – May 27, 2018, 05:32:27 pm

Without seeing it, we really can't give sage long-term advice.

If the pipe is rusted out, fixing the place that perforated just now, may not address the "next weakest" spot.

Quote Selected

Re: Antifreeze leak

Reply #16 – May 27, 2018, 05:35:29 pm

Do you think the hole got there from the hose rubbing or from the inside,if from inside make it home and replace pipe and check
coolant,for some reason it rusted.

Quote Selected

Re: Antifreeze leak

Reply #17 – May 28, 2018, 11:54:35 am

My first sugestion was the hose and clamp . His answer implied that that was not feasable . My second temp fix was the rivit and RTV . Works fine  and the drill fodder is expelled as long as fluid is exiting .    I also noted to not pull the rivit  enough to pop the pin.
 The rivit will not be fluid proof . It may reduce the leak to allow a fill and transit to a safe  repair facility .
 The long term repair would include  removing the tube or cutting at the hole for inspection for long term servicablity . Why does it have a hole?  If it is corroded internally  or a result of electrolisis  you may have a few places to address for a long term solution.
 Cutting the tube at the hole, inspecting and using a connector hose/ bubble hose will be the best solution if the tube has enough wall thicness . IMHO.

Quote Selected