Coolant leak...

[ShAgSTRO]

I almost forgot to mention this tonight before I tackle the beast tomorrow in the morning. I was driving to Wal-Mart for some boxes to move back home for summer with and smelt coolant while getting out of the van. I didn't think of it much because it's Wal-Mart...who knows what else is in that parking lot. Well as I was backing out, I saw a pool of coolant in the space I pulled out of and jokingly said to my girlfriend, "I hope that's not from me!" Then I stopped to make sure, given the horrible luck I have had in the past with cars, and sure enough...it was me. I drive to the nearest gas station and pour into my radiator a gallon of water, and then some!

Well, after opening the radiator and pouring the water in, it started leaking right out!!!

I know its not my intake manifold gasket because as I said, it leaks when its not even on...plus I checked for leaks on the engine block and there weren't any at all (including the water pump.)

Crazy right!?! I'm going to check my hoses and radiator tomorrow. I would've popped the shroud out to see if it was as simple as a loose hose but I was with the lady - I didn't want to keep her waiting

Just thought I could contribute this almost total loss of engine to the forum! I'm getting better at realizing that my cars are about to die a miserable death.

And what bad luck have I had in the past?

1994 Nissan Altima - had to replace normal things such as alternator, radiator, starter...this thing got old fast
1997 Chevy Tahoe - 2 major, a lot of smalls. Replaced intake manifold gasket then one month later...replaced entire engine DX
1996 Toyota 4-Runner Replaced master cyl, brake booster, had frame damage from PO, then the thing started leaking coolant the day before school was supposed to start (here in Charlotte - home in Raleigh)
1994 Toyota 4-Runner - Bought for $150 as a parts car for my 96' 4-Runner, ended up realizing that it just needs an engine and it'll be in perfect condition, so I gave it to my dad
1990 Chevy Astro - Didn't need ANYTHING!!! First car that I didn't put ANY money into! Except it was my dad's and I gave it back to him. O-rings were worn though so there was a smoke show everytime I cranked it hahaha (used it because the sudden death of my 4-Runner.
1986.5 Toyota Supra - Replaced Idle Air Control, clutch master cyl, slave cyl, brake master cyl, then clutch eventually went bad
1986 Chevy Astro - Nothing...except I need to fix this simple leak

I just realized...I'm 20 this July and have had seven different cars...I think I have a problem hahaha!

[ShAgSTRO]

I forgot to say

Are there any problem hoses or places on the radiator? It's not the original rad but maybe it busted

[Astroplane]

Since it is a major leak, daylight and a fresh start should reveal the source quickly. Hopefully, it is just a split in a hose.

[Mr_Bowtie]

Let us know what you find or don't find.

I'm a freak and check my old Vans for low fluids and leaks once a week. Once they get up there in age you can't turn your back on them. On my '92 I have found tranny, coolant, power steering, & oil leaks before they turned ugly. (tranny cooler line rusting out, coolant temp sensor leaking, power steering cooler rusted 'n' leaking, & oil cooler lines leaking bad)

[ShAgSTRO]

Damn right, daylight gave me a better view on everything. And Bowtie, you're so right! Can't trust these lines for one second haha

So I took off the shroud and filled her up. Didn't take a lot of water to top it off this time. I know for a fact that the car didn't overheat and given the way I drove it I am not worried that I caused engine damage. The radiator is leaking...and its only 2.5 years old! WTF?!?! haha

Since the radiator is kind of new I'm going to have it rebuilt, that's if I can find a place in Charlotte to do it. If not, I'll buy a used rad and have the one that's on now rebuilt and switch it out again.

[ShAgSTRO]

Alright! I fixed it! I changed the radiator out with a used one with 30 day warranty from the JY. The fins on the on I got were kind of beat up (you know how people don't care about stuff in the JY) but it works! I was worried that my head gasket was blown because before I changed it there were bubbles in the radiator. Once I changed the radiator and let fill up, there were zero bubbles

So hopefully I can make it to Raleigh for the summer and I'll have the old radiator rebuilt!

Thanks guys!

[Mr_Bowtie]

Alright! I fixed it! I changed the radiator out with a used one with 30 day warranty from the JY. The fins on the on I got were kind of beat up (you know how people don't care about stuff in the JY) but it works! I was worried that my head gasket was blown because before I changed it there were bubbles in the radiator. Once I changed the radiator and let fill up, there were zero bubbles

So hopefully I can make it to Raleigh for the summer and I'll have the old radiator rebuilt!

Thanks guys!

Sweet! Bubbles just mean air in the system....from a leak. The JY radiator will probably run forever that how things work.....junkers run forever and nice stuff breaks.

[ShAgSTRO]

Thanks Mr.Bowtie! You're so right though about the junkers though