Have a leak from upper or lower radiator hose.
First I had my thermostat replaced and then a few days later it turned out that I had a crack in my radiator so I had that replaced… later next day my car started overheating so I pulled over let it cool down opened the hood and looked under the car, it turns out my coolant was leaking, when I looked at the engine it looked like it was leaking from one of the radiator hoses that connect to the engine. It looked like it was leaking from the lower radiator hose that was coming from the engine but I don't know exactly if it's the upper or lower hose.
My car has 199665 miles.
My ca
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
I would recommend looking at either hose to determine which hose the leak is coming from with the car running as this will pressurize the system and force water to the leaking point. Consider scheduling an appointment with one of our expert mechanics to come to your home or office to diagnose the leaking coolant issue and make necessary repairs.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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A cracked radiator hose can lead to a coolant leak and your car overheating; if the needle on your vehicle`s engine temperature gauge starts moving toward “hot,” it could spell trouble for your engine.
Coolant leaks are one of the most common symptoms of a faulty radiator hose. They happen when the hose either deteriorates due to heat or abrasive damage, or when there`s a problem with the clamps that connect the hose to another component in the engine.
When coolant leaks from the radiator, it can mix with the transmission fluid, which enters through the cooler lines. This creates a colorful mixture referred to as the Strawberry Milkshake of Death (SMOD). This dreaded mixture is toxic and leads to irreversible transmission damage.
Leading Causes of Radiator Leaks
The leading and most common cause is corrosion in the radiator. Radiators, hoses, and hose connections collect sediment and rust that can punch holes in the radiator over time. In a few instances, weak coolant can be the cause of overheating.
Look for signs of coolant leakage—a light-colored residue or stain—around the radiator cap, on hoses throughout the engine compartment (check the ends where they are clamped to other components) and on the radiator itself. If it looks like a hose is leaking near a clamp, try tightening the clamp with a screwdriver.
The most common failure mode on a standard, moulded hose is electrochemical degradation, or ECD. ECD is caused by an electrical charge being carried through the coolant from component to component. It occurs because the hose, liquid coolant and the engine/radiator fittings form a galvanic cell or “battery”.
One tiny fluid leak can lead to complete transmission failure if left ignored. If there is not enough fluid running through the system, parts will lose vital lubrication and bad things will happen inside the transmission. Transmission fluid is usually red in color and is fairly easy to identify.
In almost all vehicles with an automatic transmission there is a transmission cooler placed inside the radiator. Most standard transmissions do not make as much heat and therefore do not have a cooler.
In case the problem is a transmission leak, a simple reseal service, and transmission fluid flush is all you need to fix the problem. However, if your transmission is severely damaged, you`ll probably need a replacement transmission for your car.
A leak in your radiator not only creates a risk for overheating and engine damage, but it also creates a potential risk of engine fire. It`s important to do occasional checks of your radiator and cooling system to address any leaks as soon as you detect them.
The smell of coolant and/or a whitish cloud of smoke from the exhaust at startup can be an indicator of coolant in the combustion chambers, which can be confirmed by a chemical test for exhaust hydrocarbons in the coolant.
Electrochemical degradation is a primary cause of most coolant hose failures. This phenomenon occurs when different kinds of metals in the cooling system generate an electrical charge, which is carried from one component to another by the coolant.
If the leak is small enough and you drop a raw egg into the radiator, pieces of the egg might “cook” and harden, then clog up the hole that`s letting coolant leak out.
Technically speaking yes you can use plain water in your cooling system but it isn`t recommended as a long term solution and certainly not in extreme weather conditions.
While rubber hoses are standard for radiator hoses, silicone hoses have a greater resistance to heat, and they are more durable and longer lasting. It`s for this very reason that replacing your coolant hoses with silicone hoses gives you more peace of mind.
What about coolant hose? The cooling systems in most late model cars and trucks are designed to operate at 13 to 18 PSI or less. So most radiator and heater hoses never see the high side of 18 PSI, even if the engine runs hot and overheats.
Broken radiator hose or hot pipe is easy to fix with Rescue tape because it can handle temperature up to 500F and pressure up to 950 PSI. | Rescue Tape is extremely durable, but when it comes time to remove it, it does not leave any sticky residue like a duck tape.
Stop leak products are designed to seal leaks in radiators, coolant hoses and gaskets by plugging them with some type of material. They usually come in bottles that you pour directly into the radiator (wait until your engine is cool to open the radiator, of course).
A puddle on the ground: The most obvious sign of a transmission leak is discovering a pool of transmission fluid under your vehicle. Most leaks start small, so check your regular parking spot often. A few drops aren`t necessarily a major problem, but it will be the sign that you have the start of a leak.
Depending on the cause of leakage, you may get away driving with a radiator leak for a short time. Eventually, the lack of coolant will cause your car to overheat – which may in turn precipitate damage to various engine bay components. That`s why it`s a good idea to stop and inspect the issue as soon as you notice it.
A leaking radiator can cause a lot of harm to furnishings and floors in your home. So a radiator leak should not be left to continue un-repaired for a long time. A leaking radiator can also cause your central heating to stop working due to loss of boiler pressure – leaving your home cold this winter.
A leaking radiator can cause a lot of harm to furnishings and floors in your home. So a radiator leak should not be left to continue un-repaired for a long time. A leaking radiator can also cause your central heating to stop working due to loss of boiler pressure – leaving your home cold this winter.
Depending on the reason that your radiator`s leaking, you may be fine driving around for a week or two and just refilling the radiator tank with coolant as needed. But if your radiator leak is serious, topping off the coolant a couple of times a week might not cut it—unless you`re prepared to drop big bucks on 50/50.
Another symptom of a clogged or faulty radiator is if the radiator hoses are hot to touch. The hoses carry the car coolant from the radiator to the engine. If the hoses are hot, it means that the coolant is not flowing correctly and the engine is overheating.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Have a leak from upper or lower radiator hose.
ANSWER : I would recommend looking at either hose to determine which hose the leak is coming from with the car running as this will pressurize the system and force water to the leaking point. Consider scheduling an appointment with one of our expert mechanics to come to your home or office to diagnose the leaking coolant issue and make necessary repairs.
Read Full Q/A … : Have a leak from upper or lower radiator hose.
I have a leak in the coolant system that I have narrowed to I believe is the water inlet tube off of the lower radiator hose.
ANSWER : First off, I would say it would be best to pressure test the cooling system to verify where the coolant is coming from. With the complexity of repairs to the cooling system on this vehicle, it may be worth the time spent to pressure test the system before tackling the replacement. Now then, as far as replacing the o-ring seal on the water pump inlet tube, it should really only require the removal of the bypass hose, lower radiator hose, and the two (or three, depending on manufacturing changes) mounting bolts that hold the inlet tube to the block. I personally would go ahead and replace the tube while I was there, instead of just the o-ring. Granted, this doesn’t mention what it will take to get down to the inlet pipe, but this is all it should take once you have access to it. If this is something that you feel you could use a hand with, consult with a certified mechanic, like those available at YourMechanic.com.
Read Full Q/A … : Have a leak from upper or lower radiator hose.
Leaking top radiator hose? Leaking top radiator hose how to replace a leaking top radiator
ANSWER : If you have not done a job like this before you might want to consider watching a professional from YourMechanic do it for you, especially as the labor time is less than 1.5 hours so it’s pretty economical. The first order of business, of course, is to make sure that the upper hose is actually leaking and you don’t have a different issue such as a crack is the radiator itself where the hose attaches. Also, if that hose is leaking due to a break in aged rubber, the other "old" hoses should be inspected as well. A radiator hose replacement entails removing any plastic shields that prevent access to the hose(s). Then, you have to drain the coolant to a level below the lowest point that you will be working at. The hose clamps are removed and then you have to carefully "debond" the hose from the point it is attached to the tank. Over time, the rubber will bond really tightly to the radiator and you have to break the seal with damaging or severely scratching the radiator "nipple" (the part the hose slides over). Then you slip the new hose on (with clamps already loosely applied), apply the clamps and you are ready to refill. When refilling, you have to open the cooling system bleeder screws (if equipped) to ensure that air does not get trapped. Trapped air could cause the car to overheat as trapped air can block coolant flow.
Read Full Q/A … : Have a leak from upper or lower radiator hose.
I have an antifreeze leak internal I replaced the upper radiator hose new radiator as well can not see a leak or drip
ANSWER : Coolant leaks no matter how big or small should be addressed as soon as possible. As you noticed, the engine will run hot with a low coolant level. Even a minor leak can expand to a large or catastrophic leak with no warning. A minor repair now can turn into engine overheat and damage. The leak can be small enough now that it is burning away when contacting hot surfaces and not hitting the ground. If the radiator leaking is the cause of the coolant loss, then it should be replaced as soon as possible. The cooling system operates under pressure – usually 12-15 psi. A small leak can become a large leak because of the pressure. Have a certified technician address this as soon as possible. Do not use "coolant leak sealer" products as they are a temporary fix and can actually cause more damage by clogging small coolant passages and damage the water pump as well.
Read Full Q/A … : Have a leak from upper or lower radiator hose.
installing a upper radiator hose, about an inch down the piece you slide the hose over has a raised lip, do i slide hose over lip
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. Correct, you want to place the hose clamp between the two raised lips. If the hose will willfully go over the second lip, that is fine. The goal is to have the hose beyond the first lip, and have that lip there to give the clamp something to hold the hose on with. The second lip is to give an area for the hose to recede down into so the hose clamp can get a good grip. The longer the hose stays in place, the more the hose will form to the area giving you a good seal.
Read Full Q/A … : Have a leak from upper or lower radiator hose.
I have to replace an upper radiator hose, what steps must I take to access the hose and remove it.
ANSWER : Access to the hose is clear. On a vehicle of this age, if you are replacing one radiator hose, really all should be replaced, including the heater hoses, due to the inevitable deterioration of rubber products. YourMechanic does perform radiator hose replacements on a mobile basis and so feel free to set up a mobile visit to have the hose(s) replaced. If you replace the hoses(s) yourself, be sure to use any available purge points to remove trapped air as you refill the cooling system. Trapped air can cause engine overheating until it dislodges.
Read Full Q/A … : Have a leak from upper or lower radiator hose.
There’s a hose under the top radiator hose that seems to be leaking antifreeze. What hose is that and is it an easy fix?
ANSWER : Hi there. Usually the hose that’s directly under the top radiator hose is a return surge tank hose; typically coming from the radiator overflow coolant reservoir. Since winter is coming around soon, the best way to diagnose a coolant leak and to ensure it’s not your heater core of heater hose is to contact a professional mechanic and have them complete a coolant leak inspection. This service is the best way to eliminate the guess work and ensure you’re Chrysler 300 is repaired sooner rather than later.
Read Full Q/A … : Have a leak from upper or lower radiator hose.
I have an 97 Ford Explorer and recently fix my water pump, radiator upper and lower hoses but my coolant reservoir tank is empty
ANSWER : Check the coolant levels when cold and fill to the cold line on reservoir and then start and warm engine to see if the coolant is full to the warm level. You may have just not filled the coolant all the way when work was done.
Read Full Q/A … : Have a leak from upper or lower radiator hose.
