Cooling Discuss all of the aspects of cooling that you can think of! Radiators, transmissions, electric fans, etc.

confused

Old Aug 16, 2013 | 07:10 PM
  #1  
Veaceonee's Avatar
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From: Tucson, AZ
Car: 88 GTA Notchback
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: don't know
confused

I notice a steady dripping of coolant coming from the driver's side corner of the radiator support after being driven. After I let the car cool down, no more dripping, and the radiator is still full, coolant recovery bottle is empty (which is normal, got a new one coming in the mail). The car has a 180 Tstat in it and is running just under 220 without the AC on. Both fans are spinning. If the radiator was bad, wouldnt it be dripping all the time?? Could there be an air bubble somewhere in the system?

The radiator support is perfectly dry except in that one corner. Only thing on that side is the upper radiator hose which is dry all the way to the bottom.

I can't figure it out.
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Old Aug 16, 2013 | 07:16 PM
  #2  
mmadden55's Avatar
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From: Houson
Car: 86 Firebird
Engine: 305 SBC
Transmission: 700 R4 TCI
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: confused

Sounds like a leak from the coolant recovery system.
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Old Aug 16, 2013 | 07:18 PM
  #3  
t-top havoc's Avatar
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From: Mid West
Car: '87 Camaro
Engine: '92 Carb'd 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: factory stock
Re: confused

" Rent " a cooling system pressure tester from Autozone, Oreileys, etc.

The leak will be more prevailant under pressure.
Follow the instructions if there are any.
If not, ask the rep to go over it with you.
It can also test the rad cap.

( edit )
Doh!!!
Even said a new one is on the way!!
Sorry about that!!

Last edited by t-top havoc; Aug 16, 2013 at 07:21 PM. Reason: late response
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Old Aug 16, 2013 | 07:18 PM
  #4  
Veaceonee's Avatar
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From: Tucson, AZ
Car: 88 GTA Notchback
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: don't know
Re: confused

On the Driver's side?? Recovery bottle is on the passenger side.
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Old Aug 16, 2013 | 08:23 PM
  #5  
mmadden55's Avatar
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,146
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From: Houson
Car: 86 Firebird
Engine: 305 SBC
Transmission: 700 R4 TCI
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: confused

Depends on where the leak is, could be leaking and running along a seam and dripping on the other side or running along the support to that corner. In any case if it was a hole in the radiator it would be leaking anytime it got warm wouldn't need to get hot.
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Old Aug 16, 2013 | 10:14 PM
  #6  
Veaceonee's Avatar
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From: Tucson, AZ
Car: 88 GTA Notchback
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: don't know
Re: confused

That is whats weird. It only leaks when hot.
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Old Aug 16, 2013 | 11:42 PM
  #7  
KaI_S's Avatar
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 13
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From: Queens Village, NY
Car: 88 Trans am
Re: confused

When is hot, it pressurize the system. It will came out at where it leak even is small.
If you use the leak down tester, you will see the pressure drop depend how worst is the leak.
Recovery tank is empty, couple situation: 1. coolant system has air 2. coolant system is leaking
both situation will keep pulling coolant from the tank to recover the system that is not enough coolant.
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