Radiator Leak

Topic: Radiator Leak (Read 1503 times) previous topic - next topic

Radiator Leak

May 27, 2010, 02:43:59 pm

Discovered a very small leak in the radiator today. I'd say about a tablespoon of coolant found on the pavement after sitting for 3 hours.

So the question is:

1. Do I use a radiator stop leak product? What kind and where from?

2. Should I bite the bullet and get it fixed when we arein Nac?

Re: Radiator Leak

Reply #1 – May 27, 2010, 03:01:17 pm

I would definitely have nac look at it in case it is something simple like a loose connection.
If it is a small leak, you can probably leave it until then.
Add coolant to the overflow as needed.
They will probably put in 4 cans of Barrs Leak.
http://www.barsproducts.com/C16_R6.htm

Re: Radiator Leak

Reply #2 – May 27, 2010, 08:07:29 pm

George,

I understand from FT that you can add Bar's Leak one time. They did it for me shortly after I bought my coach in 2006. In the following four years I have occasionally Had a spot of coolant on the ground, but it has always stopped on its own. I'd talk to FT, but not do anything major unless it becomes a lot more serious.

Regards,

Brett

Re: Radiator Leak

Reply #3 – May 28, 2010, 08:34:21 pm

It is a big bite if you have to replace one now.

Re: Radiator Leak

Reply #4 – May 28, 2010, 09:35:28 pm

George,

On our '03, there are some long bolts that pretty much go all the way through the radiator from the bottom. They can loosen over time and a little coolant can leak out. One of the FT techs pointed this out to us last year when we, too, had a leak (I don't know if he's still there or not, but he was very helpful). You might want to see if that's the case with yours. For us, it was just a bolt tightening, a little Bars Leak, and some Rotella ELC coolant and all has been well for over 10K miles.

Michelle

Re: Radiator Leak

Reply #5 – May 28, 2010, 09:42:34 pm

Can you post a photo of where the bolt is. Thanks
I think I need to check mine also.

Re: Radiator Leak

Reply #6 – May 29, 2010, 09:51:56 pm

Quote from: Barry Beam – May 28, 2010, 09:42:34 pm

Can you post a photo of where the bolt is. Thanks
I think I need to check mine also.

Will do, tomorrow after Steve's back from his wood turning class. He got back late tonight.

-M

Re: Radiator Leak -- Updated

Reply #7 – May 31, 2010, 09:01:17 pm

The leak has stopped. This is really strange. When the leak was discovered on Thursday it continued to leak on Friday and Saturday. Twice I added 1/2 gallon of coolant to the overflow reservoir to bring it up to the "Cold" position. So far on Sunday and Monday (today) it has not leaked. I still want MOT to look at it. If there truly is a leak, I sure hope they can find it.

Also, if we have a guardian angel, our CHECK ENGINE light has disappeared after two days of driving us NUTS.

Re: Radiator Leak

Reply #8 – May 31, 2010, 09:13:23 pm

George. Your radiator leak stopped AND your "check engine light" went out! To whom do you pray? I'm converting! Wow!
I believe I would still get the hoses and clamps looked at when you get to Nacogdoches. Barr's Leak is great stuff but the number of times you can use it is limited, so save for real necessity. Also ask which formula we should use, I think it's BC 16 or some code, similar

Re: Radiator Leak

Reply #9 – May 31, 2010, 09:36:27 pm

I plan to talk with Mike Rogers at MOT. At the very least, I will have him check hoses and clamps.
And I'll ask about the Barr's product.

Re: Radiator Leak

Reply #10 – June 03, 2010, 12:38:19 pm

could be they are related. I had a coolant level sensor go bad and it threw a STOP ENGINE red light, but didn't reduce power which is odd...

Re: Radiator Leak - Updated

Reply #11 – June 08, 2010, 03:16:17 pm

We will get our radiator serviced in six days. Over the weekend I did notice some coolant leaking from the cap and went to NAPA and bought part # 36965 -- which has the number 15 stamped on the top of the cap. It leaks even worse than the old cap which has a 10 stamped on it. Should I assume the cap is defective?

Re: Radiator Leak -- Updated

Reply #12 – June 14, 2010, 08:40:38 pm

Here is an update on our radiator leak.

MOT found a leak in the core. As Mike said -- it is small and we hope the Barrs takes care of it. So far, so good. We had an 80 mile drive today in low 90 degree temps. No leaks.

On the cap. It is the correct radiator cap. MOT did some careful sanding with a fine grit sandpaper. Afterwards the tech rubbed a very light coating of oil on the top of the filler tube and then placed a mirror on it to take an impression to see if there were any gaps in the ring. None.

I did have them drain, flush the radiator and fill with an Extended Life Coolant good for 300,000 miles.

So -- I hope we have this behind us.

Re: Radiator Leak

Reply #13 – July 10, 2010, 02:57:23 pm

One more update. A couple of weeks after having our radiator serviced we began to notice that the coolant overflow bottle needed to be refilled after driving about 200 miles. This happened three times and now seems to have stopped. My theory is that the Bars takes awhile until it finally seals whatever small holes it has migrated into. Hope my theory is correct. Time will tell.

Re: Radiator Leak

Reply #14 – July 11, 2010, 03:25:55 pm

Or you may have had residual air in the system if it was flushed and refilled.

Felix Mathieu
99 U320

Re: Radiator Leak

Reply #15 – July 11, 2010, 08:49:06 pm

Quote from: fjm502 – July 11, 2010, 03:25:55 pm

Or you may have had residual air in the system if it was flushed and refilled.

Felix Mathieu
99 U320

Felix,

I certainly hope so. By the way, we are the couple you met at MOT in March of 2009 when we came to pick up the coach we bought from Jimmie Bergman in August of 2008. You and your lovely wife were most helpful to us. We've come a long way since then. And all of the fine things you told us about James at Xtreme Graphics are true. Hope you are well.

Re: Radiator Leak

Reply #16 – July 11, 2010, 08:54:22 pm

Hi George, On our first trip out , After flushing system and new hoses and new ELC, like you after traveling approx. 300 miles i had to refill the overfill jug, once in Texarkana and then in Nacogdoches. No leaks anywhere, so probably just working the air out of the system. Also I enjoy reading your travel blogs.

Re: Radiator Leak

Reply #17 – July 11, 2010, 09:15:54 pm

Hey you two --

Thanks for sharing your experience. I can't find any evidence of a leak. After 300 some miles we only lost 1/4 inch in the overflow bottle. I think our radiator is done belching.

We are sitting in a nice campground at the Angostura Reservoir close by Hot Springs, SD. We finally get to see Mount Rushmore tomorrow. Some nasty looking skies are above and the temp is now down to 65 F. We are hunkered down inside the coach. A storm shelter is less than 100 yards away. Hope we don't have to go there.

Re: Radiator Leak

Reply #18 – July 12, 2010, 05:45:39 am

If you have never been out in the Midwest for a heavy thunder boomer or tornado you will be in for a treat. Take your awnings in when you leave the coach. Especially when it is hot out.

Re: Radiator Leak

Reply #19 – July 12, 2010, 10:45:14 am

Hi John,

I grew up in Illinois. That is part of Tornado Alley. I've seen some really wild storms and been caught in a few. Whew.

George & Sandy & Trixie

Re: Radiator Leak

Reply #20 – July 13, 2010, 12:09:25 am

George I do remember meeting you and Sandy at MOT. It was a pleasure chatting with you.
Incidentally I had my radiator replaced at MOT last year.
After adding barrs leak on three occasions over four years I decided it was time for replacement.
Took three weeks to have one built. Believe it was built in Galveston. No further problems
so far.

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