Need Urgent Radiator Help!!!

layusn1 · #1 01-26-2009, 06:29 PM

I went to get my battery tested today and we noticed my radiator is spewing coolant all over the engine. It is coming out of the top of the radiator, on the passenger side. Right by the batter there is a big hole it is spewing out of. It looks like there is supposed to be some kind of plug there. I would say a missing hose but the hose would have to fit inside the hole since there is no tube for the hose to fit over or be clamped to. The hole is on the engine side of the radiator at the top right. If anyone knows what goes there please tell me so I can stop spewing a fortune in radiator fluid and coming close to over heating all the time. Thankfully it is winter and 20 degrees... Anyway, and assistance would be GREATLY appreciated.

db234 · #2 01-26-2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layusn1

I went to get my battery tested today and we noticed my radiator is spewing coolant all over the engine. It is coming out of the top of the radiator, on the passenger side. Right by the batter there is a big hole it is spewing out of. It looks like there is supposed to be some kind of plug there. I would say a missing hose but the hose would have to fit inside the hole since there is no tube for the hose to fit over or be clamped to. The hole is on the engine side of the radiator at the top right. If anyone knows what goes there please tell me so I can stop spewing a fortune in radiator fluid and coming close to over heating all the time. Thankfully it is winter and 20 degrees... Anyway, and assistance would be GREATLY appreciated.

There is a tube from the radiator to the coolant overflow tank that connects about that spot. The tube attaches to a small metal pipe that is connected to the radiator. Maybe the pipe has broken off. Trace the rubber tube from the coolant tank towards the left of the radiator (passenger side).

layusn1 · #3 01-26-2009, 06:38 PM

The hole I am talking about is about 1 1/2 to 2 inch diameter. Does that still sound about right?

db234 · #4 01-26-2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layusn1

The hole I am talking about is about 1 1/2 to 2 inch diameter. Does that still sound about right?

Did you find the rubber tube from the coolant overflow tank? You might find the metal pipe and a piece of the radiator attached. Not good but might explain a hole that big.

layusn1 · #5 01-26-2009, 07:23 PM

There is a small maybe 1/2 inch at best hose going from the plastic overflow all the way back to the other side of the radiator and it is connected tight under the radiator cap. What I am talking about is about an inch lower and an inch more towards the driver side. It is basically right under the round metal crossbeam. Under that us a rubber piece that looks like it may be a mount. Right under that is the big hole. So basically if you were lookeing at the back of the radiator from the inside of the van it is a little lower and to thr right of the radiator cap/fill tube.

db234 · #6 01-26-2009, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layusn1

There is a small maybe 1/2 inch at best hose going from the plastic overflow all the way back to the other side of the radiator and it is connected tight under the radiator cap. What I am talking about is about an inch lower and an inch more towards the driver side. It is basically right under the round metal crossbeam. Under that us a rubber piece that looks like it may be a mount. Right under that is the big hole. So basically if you were lookeing at the back of the radiator from the inside of the van it is a little lower and to thr right of the radiator cap/fill tube.

Oh, OK not what I thought. Maybe the coolant level sensor. The temperature sensor is around there too I think. The coolant sensor has an electrical connection. The temperature sensor probably does too but I haven't explored that recently. Maybe one of them came loose. That would explain a big hole and cheaper to fix.

layusn1 · #7 01-26-2009, 08:00 PM

If the Oldsmobile Silhouette is the same radiator, as most of the rest of it seems to be the same I can ask my wife to try to take a picture of hers and email it to me tomorrow. I can try to take a pic of mine but all I have is my cell phone and it probably won't work too well. I will try anyway though.

layusn1 · #8 01-26-2009, 08:44 PM

I cannot believe I have spent almost 3 hours looking for a good picture of a radiator, a diagram, anything and cannot find anything online. This is the best I can come up with. In case the text can't be read it just points to where the leak is...directly under that bar at the top of the radiator.

rhandwor · #9 01-26-2009, 09:52 PM

I would remove the metal bar and look. I think the nipple for the overflow tank broke. I assume its plastic and a new tank for the top of the radiator is needed. Some radiator shops will replace this for you. The radiator shop I used to use stopped doing this.
Check Pep Boys price they used to be close to an independant shops price.
I assume you will need a new radiator. A scrap yard also sells them but I have problems doing this. Call some radiator shops for a new top tank price.
A brass tank any radiator shop can solder and repair.

layusn1 · #10 01-26-2009, 09:57 PM

If the overflow tank is the big tank all the way to the right it is hooked up to a tube right under the radiator cap with that tiny hose. That is the only hose I see coming from the overflow tanks.

roadrunner2 · #11 01-26-2009, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layusn1

If the overflow tank is the big tank all the way to the right it is hooked up to a tube right under the radiator cap with that tiny hose. That is the only hose I see coming from the overflow tanks.

I'm looking at a picture of the right side of the rad in a 1997 to 2001 Olds Silhouette. Sister to your Venture. Haynes manual.

It shows from top down:

a) Rad cap and rad cap neck
b) Upper transaxle coolant line
c) Coolant level sensor
d) Lower rad hose and:
e) lower transaxle coolant line

That's all there is, take your pick.

layusn1 · #12 01-26-2009, 10:57 PM

I would love to take a pick but I have no idea what or where any of those are, sorry. I don't have a picture. I searched for my venture and my wifes Silhouette for 3 hours and couldn't find a picture I could use to illustrate what I am talking about. I am hoping I won't need a new radiator because I am disabled and cannot replace it myslef. The bummer is the radiator is only about $150. Probably $400 by the time someone else installs it.

rhandwor · #13 01-27-2009, 06:32 AM

Go to a radiator shop and ask for a quote. They will tell you what is wrong.
At this point either get it done or go elsewhere. If you go to Auto Zone or Advance Auto they have parts changers who will change the part for a price.
They are shadetree mechanics who work in front. U-Pull it has a parts pulling shop near the premises ask them for a quote.
Pep Boys also have a service department get a quote here.
Not doing anything will cause to loose the engine big money.

LMP · #14 01-27-2009, 08:54 AM

Nowhere to find what year model you have, not even in your profile, but from your picture I took a chance with a 2002...same part # valid for 2001-2005

From your description, the transmission connector b) is gone ...so some metal tubing it hanging somewhere going nowhere and the transmission fluid and engine coolant are mixing or spraying out together.......
....once you have taken care of the radiator, it seems you'll have to pay attention to the transmission fluid...

rockwood84 · #15 01-27-2009, 11:36 PM

the side tank can be replaced on the passenger side without replacing the whole radiator. a side tank for a big silverado radiator costs $150.00 but the radiator on a venture is alot smaller.you have to pull the fans to get the radiator out.i looked at my silho and the fan bolt could have broken out of the radiator as its screwed in the plastic tank.if the trans line fitting broke out they can put a new side tank on your radiator complete with new fittings. as the plastic gets a little age on it will crack.

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