Coolant leaks. What's wrong here? *pics*
 

So I decided to take some pics of my latest problem. I posted this on my local Maxima forum and figured I'd try here as well since there are plenty of knowledgeable people here as well.

Looks like a coolant bomb went off in my engine bay. Not really sure what the problem is but I'll let the pics speak for themselves. Originally I thought all that crap on my engine cover was salt and grime coming in from the grille but it's actually dried out coolant. A friend suggested a clogged T-stat and I think he's right. Seems like coolant built up in the rad til it started to burst at the seams.

You can see that my rad cap looks fooked and is cracking from the bottom. Also that there is coolant running all along the top of my rad, as well as coolant sprouting from a line leading out of the rad on the passenger side. As bad as it looks, my coolant reservoir still has plenty of coolant left in it. Figured I'd show you all and see what you guys make of it the problem, I believe my tech's shop might not be open tomorrow due to Family Day(yes that's a real and legit holiday up here in Ontario).

Pics:
https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b...8/DSC00970.jpg
https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b...8/DSC00969.jpg
https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b...8/DSC00968.jpg
https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b...8/DSC00967.jpg
https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b...8/DSC00966.jpg

https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b...8/DSC00965.jpg
https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b...8/DSC00964.jpg
https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b...8/DSC00963.jpg

I'm thinking a bad radiator cap. If your temp gague has been reading fine, then likely to cap went bad (holding too much pressure). I hope you aren't driving it...I'd be concern about the condition of the radiator...chances are it's probably toast...or will be soon. Your coolant reservoir looks low from your pics.

S

IMO, it looks like the radiator neck is broken at the bottom. Change the radiator cap and do a pressure test. If that does not solve the problem, start looking for aftermarket radiator. There are a host of aftermarket ones that are resonable and good.

Temp gauge is reading fine. I've been driving it for at least a week like this. I'll pick up a Greddy high pressure rad cap and see if that helps any. I really would like to avoid replacing my rad. Car has about 80k miles on it.

Hopefully by Tuesday I can make it up to my tech's shop and he can do a pressure test. Just wanted to see what the org has to say first.

looks like the radiator neck to me.... i know about 3 months ago i replaced mine. it started leaking from where the metal part clamps over the plastic up top. just replace the radiator, the new one should come with a new cap also. took me bout 45 mins. for mine.

The rad neck is fine. The coolant has just pooled up around it after dripping from the cap. Once the car is warmed up I can only see smoke coming from the cap and nowhere else. I'm hoping it might be a simple fix like a new cap and all new hoses...or at the worst a T-stat which gives me an excuse to install the Z T-stat I have lying around.

So, I cleaned up all the coolant that sprayed everywhere and found that the rad cap has failed and is the main leak up top. However if you look at my pics, you'll see that there is a metal line that that joins into the rad that is also leaking. I'm sure there is a leak at the bottom somewhere as well since there's a pool on my driveway now. Cross my fingers that new hoses and a rad cap will fix it.

I would get a rad shop to do a pressure test on the sucker.

might also wanna add some radiator stop leak and see if that makes a difference..

The prognosis isn't good. Fix the cap first, pressure test the radiator. Again chances are your radiator is toast if there is more than 1 leak. I personally wouldn't gamble with it and just replace the whole thing...of course that's my preference.

S

DONT ADD STOP LEAK!!! it will plug up more then just the hole in your radiator. I had a friend just F up his SR20 with this stuff dont do it.

My car just had the same problem, it looks just like your pics under my hood. When I seen it I then popped the hood, filled the collent full, then warmed the car up. I had a friend get in it and rev it up, and at about 3k water shot out of a small crack in the plastic on the top. I replaced my radiator with one off ebay for $52.95 shipped (with a lifetime warrenty). Try doing what I did and dont put stop leak in there, thats a stupid idea.

Revs right, why take the chance, do it right, get it tested.

Ya. Revs correct. Do it to it right

stop leak will only cause issues down the road.....

I ended up replacing the rad with an oem one, as well as putting on a skunk2 1.3 bar rad cap.

i would replace my radiator. Same thing happened to me. There was a crack at the top of the radiator that was causing the leak. Had same outcome with the engine staining. Got an aftermarket one for like $150 and it works great! some food for thought....mmmmmmmmm.... foooooood!!

WOW, my engine looks exactly like that, but I thought the white stuff was road salt coming in through the grille.

Thanks for the heads up, time to check my rad. Phew.....

same thing happened to me. Get it pressure tested Mang. Its toast.

Guys,

I am currently trying to solve what looks to be the same problem. I have one question though, and it may be really stupid but it's real late and I've been working on my car all day AND coaching tee ball.

You can purchase a new radiator cap for 6 - 7 bucks at Autozone. Instead of paying someone to do a pressue test, is it not smarter to see if the cap is bad or not by simply buying a new one?

Mine is leaking from the top left side of the radiator (driver's side) and also seems to be leaking from the bottom right as well (already replaced the drain plug).

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks!

You're right, but the pressure test will also confirm 100% if the radiator itself is leaking. In your case, it seems you're already confident the rad is toast, so your decision was an easy one :thumbsup:

Well, djfrestyl, I just donated $8 to autozone. New (ugly) radiator cap and same issues. Looks like I'll be installing a new radiator.

Get it from the GD section from importrp. Excellent price and great quality. Easy install too.

Funny story for all in this thread. First, see post #18.
On my drive home from work that VERY DAY, I see a bit of smoke coming from my engine bay. WTF? I pull over - coolant is leaking and burning on the block. Don't know how it happened, but the concidence was uncanny. Replaced my rad with one from the group deal, and I'm good to go.

I went with the ebay one. My wife is not too happy about me taking her car for the week, but I don't want to put any more money into this car. I am going to sell it and get a 5 speed Max.