Empty Radiator Coolant Tank

[Geo Hunter]

92 Geo Metro Convertible, 5 spd, 3-cylinder.

Bought Wednesday. Noticed radiator coolant tank was empty. Filled it with 50/50 Friday. Opened the hood Saturday. The tank was empty and radiator fluid was on the tank, the hose connecting to the radiator and other parts. The radiator is full. It appears that the coolant may have emptied out of the tank through the nipple.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[Geo Hunter]

I put on a new radiator cap to see if it could be losing pressure, but it didn't work. I don't think it's a cracked coolant tank because it only looses coolant when driven.

Anybody have experience with this problem in any vehicle?

Thanks

Originally Posted by Geo Hunter

92 Geo Metro Convertible, 5 spd, 3-cylinder.

Bought Wednesday. Noticed radiator coolant tank was empty. Filled it with 50/50 Friday. Opened the hood Saturday. The tank was empty and radiator fluid was on the tank, the hose connecting to the radiator and other parts. The radiator is full. It appears that the coolant may have emptied out of the tank through the nipple.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[mickkey3rd]

Greetings

The overflow tank, should not have emptied itself in the manner you described. The cooling system will draw from the tank if the coolant is low. Be careful not to overfill the tank as this will cause coolant to come out the overfill hose when the system is hot. But it will not empty the tank.
So you may have a leak in the system.

Check your drain petcock, then start looking for loose clamps, damaged hoses (bulging cracked etc..). Also check for green stains on the radiator. These are signs of small leaks.

The worst case scenario is a leaking head gasket. Check this by looking at the oil for signs of coolant (foaming etc) or excess steam out of the exhaust along with a strong smell of antifreeze.

Best of luck
Joe

[Geo Hunter]

I haven't noticed any of the symptoms related to a leaking head gasket.

If there's a small leak in the radiator, and it's not running hot, is the leak a problem?

In what way is the leaking head gasket the worst case scenario?

I'm not a mechanic, but I'm learning.

Thanks

Originally Posted by mickkey3rd

Greetings

The overflow tank, should not have emptied itself in the manner you described. The cooling system will draw from the tank if the coolant is low. Be careful not to overfill the tank as this will cause coolant to come out the overfill hose when the system is hot. But it will not empty the tank.
So you may have a leak in the system.

Check your drain petcock, then start looking for loose clamps, damaged hoses (bulging cracked etc..). Also check for green stains on the radiator. These are signs of small leaks.

The worst case scenario is a leaking head gasket. Check this by looking at the oil for signs of coolant (foaming etc) or excess steam out of the exhaust along with a strong smell of antifreeze.

Best of luck
Joe

[Geo Hunter]

I found a crack on the top of the radiator.

Does anybody know if just the top can be replaced instead of the entire radiator?

Anybody have an idea of estimated cost of a new radiator and installation?

Thanks

[mickkey3rd]

Greetings

Glad to see that you found the problem. If the radiator is brass on top
(some are plastic) you may be able to have the radiator soldered, depending on the leak location and such.

I picked up a used radiator for 30 dollars from the salvage yard. I think
a new one would set you back 130 or more. Never bought a new one so this is a guess.

A leaking head gasket is the worse case scenario because the head gasket is not easily replaced. This is a major job on any car.

Joe

[mik13usa]

Geo Hunter,
there are many threads on radiator related issues .... just do a search. You might also try EBay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33602
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33602

[geojim]

Mine started to leak along the top seam also. I found the best deal for a new one on the Internet at http://www.radiatorbarn.com at less than $105. delivered. Ordered it one morning and it arrived the following afternoon. Easy job to put in. geojim

[hdwnkr53]

Originally Posted by Geo Hunter

I found a crack on the top of the radiator.

Does anybody know if just the top can be replaced instead of the entire radiator?

Anybody have an idea of estimated cost of a new radiator and installation?

Thanks

I just got a naw radiator for 129 bucks from radiator.com

[Geo Hunter]

I found a new radiator at a local radiator shop for $100. Installation will be $50. The mechanic said that air bubbles need to be removed from the hoses during installation. Does anybody know anything about how that's done? I may try to install it myself.

Thanks

[hdwnkr53]

Originally Posted by Geo Hunter

I found a new radiator at a local radiator shop for $100. Installation will be $50. The mechanic said that air bubbles need to be removed from the hoses during installation. Does anybody know anything about how that's done? I may try to install it myself.

Thanks

Hey.Its real easy it took me about a half hour to replace one .When your done installing it and all your hoses are hooked up ,just fill it and run the engine until it gets hot without the cap on until your thermostat opens then add more coolant as needed then fill the recovery tank and cap it off

[Geo Hunter]

I let the radiator shop replace it.

Originally, I found the crack on the radiator because the overflow tank was empty. When I filled the overflow tank, it was empty again the next day. I realized then that the antifreeze in the overflow tank was coming out through the nipple, which is on the overflow tank's cap. So I thought replacing the cracked radiator would stop the antifreeze from going out of the nipple. The radiator was replaced and the system flushed yesterday. This morning, antifreeze is coming out of the nipple causing a puddle on the ground.

Any suggestions?

[litljenarey]

Originally Posted by Geo Hunter

I let the radiator shop replace it.

Originally, I found the crack on the radiator because the overflow tank was empty. When I filled the overflow tank, it was empty again the next day. I realized then that the antifreeze in the overflow tank was coming out through the nipple, which is on the overflow tank's cap. So I thought replacing the cracked radiator would stop the antifreeze from going out of the nipple. The radiator was replaced and the system flushed yesterday. This morning, antifreeze is coming out of the nipple causing a puddle on the ground.

Any suggestions?

Like someone had said earlier, if the coolant was overfilled than it would come out a little but wouldn't empty the tank. Is the tank emptying again?? If not, they may have just overfilled the tank a little and it should stop as soon as you've lost the extra coolant. If it doesn't stop, than you're probably overheating.
Did the radiator shop do any tests other than simply replacing the radiator? (probably not, since it should have fixed your problem) take it back to them and ask them to run a diagnostic. Tell them you think the new radiator is bad and it shouldn't cost you anything to have them check the system.

You said you didn't notice signs of a leaking head gasket...what exactly we're you looking for? When the head gasket blew in my Nissan, it was overheating occasionally and the only symptom was the oil. Normally it would be clear, either dark and clear or light and clear...if the head gasket is the problem it'll look like chocolate milk. A blown head gasket is a BIG deal, it could mean that you have to replace the head gasket which is a PITA and requires you to take off the entire top part of the engine, including the timing belt, it also could mean a new engine. Coolant is leaking into the oil and your oil is then diluted and loosing it's friction reducing ability. Driving with a bad head gasket is almost as bad as running without oil.

Good luck...I know this is all very frustrating right now but I'm glad your making an effort. After a while it does come much easier. Hang in there and eventually people will be asking you for advice

Jenny

[Geo Hunter]

I think the problem has been solved.

The cap on the coolant tank has two nipples. One was connected to the radiator via hose. The other one, which wasn't connected to anything, was where the anti-freeze was spilling from.

In a case of trial and error, the mechanic said maybe the hose is connected to the wrong nipple. So, moved the hose to the other nipple...no more spillage...no more running hot...no more cracked radiator...cooling system - check.

Now on to other things.

[Geo Hunter]

Thanks to everyone for the input!