Radiator leak

[Richyd]

Hey guys,

I think have a radiator leak.
Originally I noticed the overflow bottle was filling up but the radiator was running out of fluid.

I replaced the radiator cap and hoses but still happening.

Then I noticed some dried radiator liquid (green crystallised material) around the centre of the bumper grille (around the Mitsubishi logo).

Now this will sound like a really stupid question, but... There are 2 radiators at the front of the car. The big one towards the engine-thats the engine cooling? The smaller one that sits just behind the grille is the auto transmission cooler?

I can see some green around the centre of the front radiator (transmission?) But it seems very widely dispersed and cannot see any specific areas of crust etc. The larger radiator appears ok. I cannot see any areas where there would have been a leak.

Is it possible that it's somehow leaking from the radiator and being pushed out through the transmission cooler? I've checked around the top of the radiator, pipes, cap etc and cannot see culprit leak; but there must be one somewhere.

[spot01]

Carefully check the hose from the radiator to the overflow bottle - there may be a small hole in it that is allowing air in when the car is cooling down, preventing coolant being drawn back into the radiator from the bottle. This may also explain the drops of coolant below it? It may be very hard to find the hole - perhaps just replace the hose?

[Richyd]

Hey Spot,

Thanks for the reply!

Sorry, I wasn't very clear in my first post.

I have replaced the overflow pipe out of the radiator and also the pickup pipe inside the overflow bottle already. I have replaced the cap too.

I haven't replaced any of the actual radiator hoses, just the overflow.

My other worry is a cracked head or head gasket. But, the car is not overheating and there is no water in the oil- combine that with evidence of a leak, I think it must be a leak..

[chippy4x4]

Hey Spot,

Thanks for the reply!

Sorry, I wasn't very clear in my first post.

I have replaced the overflow pipe out of the radiator and also the pickup pipe inside the overflow bottle already. I have replaced the cap too.

I haven't replaced any of the actual radiator hoses, just the overflow.

My other worry is a cracked head or head gasket. But, the car is not overheating and there is no water in the oil- combine that with evidence of a leak, I think it must be a leak..

Try a bottle of Bars Leaks. It has been around for donkey's years and it works well. The base of it is rubber friendly
soluable oil which is gereat for the metal and bearings and the sealant only cures at the leak point and only enough to seal the leak, the rest just keeps going around the system until it finds a leak. About $15 a bottle

[spot01]

Probably time to get a pressure test done to see if it is holding pressure or if there is a leak - any good mechanic or cooling system specialist should be able to do this.

[Richyd]

Hey Chippy-thanks very much! Any idea if there is any risk of that forming a gel in the radiator? Of heard of the infamous overheating issues related to gelling in the radiator of Pajeres, so definitely want to avoid that.

It's the original radiator still anyway, so I'm thinking of replacing it anyway- they aren't to expensive off eBay...

What's the smaller radiator Infront of the large one? I thought it was the transmission cooler but that's actually built into the larger radiator? Is it just for air-conditioning??

[chippy4x4]

sounds like you are referring to the AC condensor. I have never heard of Bars Leaks causing any "gelling". Like I said it has been around for a very long time, and I use it in all of my vehicles if only just for the oil. I have never had a corroded head or any issues with a cooling system and I have been around since Rainbows were Black and White. the Mechanic that taught me had run alloy headed motors from the early 60's and he also never had cooling system problems, add to that the lubrication that the oil does to the system as a whole. As he said to me, they use soluable oil on metal lathes etc and you don't see any corrosion on them. But you do your research and choose what you are happy with
cheers

[spot01]

What's the smaller radiator Infront of the large one? I thought it was the transmission cooler but that's actually built into the larger radiator? Is it just for air-conditioning??

There are 2 trans fluid coolers in the Gen 4, so probably the same in your car - one in the bottom of the radiator & a separate one in front of the a/c condensor (which is in front of the radiator)