Whats up guys!?

This morning, I went to auto start my 96 5spd max and it kept shutting off after about 3 seconds. I walked outside and noticed that there was some shiny green liquid on the floor under the car (in front of the oil pan). When I looked under the hood, the antifreeze container looked like it had lost about an inch of liquid. I can't seem to find where it was coming from. I could see the drops falling (at about 1drop per every 5 seconds), but couldn't see where from. What could this be? Any ideas? Trouble shooting suggestions? anything?

I took my wife's car to work and plan on checking it out tonight. I left it on some ramps so that, hopefully, I can see & fix the problem tonight !

 

Probably the radiator. First check the hoses. You'll probably keep it going for a while with one of those leak-repair compounds.

 

I cant seem to find the hole. The leak seems to happen between the radiator and the oil pan..If it is alittle crack in a hose, could i just kinda melt it together with a soldering iron and then put that paste thing you are talking about?

Could it be anything major? costly?

 

check the clamps where the hoses go into the radiator.

I found small puddles of antifreeze in my garage & when I lifted the car, both hoses were loose on the radiator.

 

I will try that tonight. I went to pep boys and bought alittle bottle of that sealer powder which, according to them, works wonderful. It was like 5 bucks. I will check the hoses first though.

 

Alright guys, I checked out the whold car. Believe it or not, I think the antifreeze is someone escaping from the cap. When I pop the hood, there's shiny green liquid all around the cap! I tried to tighten it but it doesnt seem to tighten anymore.. I looked at the hoses and everything seems fine. Where can I get another one of those little caps? Does anyone know how much they go for?

 

The most I've seen for a custom rad cap was about $15. I'm betting on a $8 price tag for a generic but good one at DAP or AutoZone.

 

thats a good price!!! Has anyone ever heard of a bad cap, therfore a leak occurs. The stupidist things happen to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Is that stuff something u just pore into the cooling system or what?

 

From AutoZone's site:

RADIATOR CAP for a
1995 NISSAN/DATSUN MAXIMA
Item:
CST
PRESSURE RELEASE

Part #:
7913

Price: $8.99

AND

Item:
CST
REGULAR

Part #:
7513

Price:
$6.99


And yes - I've heard of caps losing their seal and causing leaks. However by the time I've noticed them, it's usually a close-to-overheating situation.

 

does your over flow tank get filled quick.. because if it was coming from there it "should" go into over flow?

 

Well, my regular antifreeze tank is in the top line. The powder thing that i bought went into the radiator itself. I removed the top when it was cool and just poured it in there.. I dont seem to see anymore leaks with the exception that the i see some fluid around the cap when i pop my hood after its hot..

 

I must be confused. If it were the cap wouldn't there be a dribble of coolant going all the way down the backup reservoir? Wouldn't it be blatently obvious?

 

Be careful when replacing the radiator cap. If the rest of your cooling system is pretty worn (soft hoses, lots of corrosion on rad itself), replacing a bad/worn cap may raise the pressure high enough to make something else go.

 

Buddy that is a very good point!

 

Fortunately, when i took the cap off, cleaned it and put it back, the leak stopped. I guess that sealer powder i put in it worked. It hasnt leaked since. Im thinking there was a minor hole in one of the hoses and the sealant sealed it.. Thanks anyway for all the support guys!!!