radiator leak..

[ZX2_2008]

i have a coolant leak somewhere.. i cant find where it is coming from
all hoses look good and the thermostat housing looks fine,it must in the radiator somewhere. i have tried some stuff you pour in the rad. to stop
leaks but it didnt work. what ways can i fix this without getting a new rad.
thanks.

[Sir William]

You first have to find exactly where the leak is coming from. It could be in a hose and it only leaks when pressureized. IMO that crap you put in the rad is garbage, and I can't imagine it's great for your car either. You can probably just take it to a shop and have them put a dye that show's up with black light to find the leak. Hopefully it's just a hose or something relatively cheap

[ZX2 Sleeper]

Have you noticed any leaks/puddles underneath your car? I thought i had a leak in mine but it turns out i was just boiling my coolant because the waterpump wasn't working to its fullest potential because the accessory belt was slipping.

Probally not your problem though.

Go to a shop and have them pressure test it as well.

[Sir William]

^ agreed pressure test might be the first thing to get done actually

[ZX2_2008]

ive never seen a puddle, its just almost every few months
my check coolant will come on and i'll check the resevoir and its low
so i was thinking its having to use extra coolant cause its leaking somewhere.

[mechtech]

If no leaks are truly evident, then you have a cracked head gasket or head.

[silent_1999]

mine used to leak on the tanks on the side of the radiator ( the two black ones ) then i used a pair of channellocks to tighten the tab, no more leaks

[ZX2_2008]

is there any pictures anywhere that show these tabs?

[silent_1999]

the tabs are in the red circles. look for leaks by the discoloration like mine.

[androtech1]

I've developed a leak from the underside of the thermostat housing where the two pieces of plastic are joined. You wont see it but you can feel it if you run your fingers under it. It started slow but is getting worse. It will drip on your transmission and collect in tiny little puddles and evaporate. New housing from Ford is like $63.00. I'm going to use black RTV and see if that works. Check your coolant in your radiator to make sure it is full as well.

[silent_1999]

I've developed a leak from the underside of the thermostat housing where the two pieces of plastic are joined. You wont see it but you can feel it if you run your fingers under it. It started slow but is getting worse. It will drip on your transmission and collect in tiny little puddles and evaporate. New housing from Ford is like $63.00. I'm going to use black RTV and see if that works. Check your coolant in your radiator to make sure it is full as well.

antifreeze doesn't evaporate from my experience.

[capitalcrew]

It burns off though.