I'm at my wits end on this project
originally my expansion tank had cracked causing me to buy a new one along with the bleed cables and install it
Once I Had that done and set up it seems there's a new problem, the radiator is hissing in a way iv never heard before along with spewing a good amount of what i believe to be steam

After that happened i go to refill the now empty expansion tank and find that it wont hold water for much longer than a few minutes
What could this be? I replaced the cracked tank and cables. Water did leak from the radiator when i removed the original parts but i asssume it fills up with the water from the expansion tank
OR do i need to fill the radiator directly?

ANY andall help appreciated
THank YOu

 

Was the cracked / leaking Expansion Tank the ONLY cooling system issue? Replacement and coolant refill is straightforward although the level in the Tank can drop at first as any air bleeds out of the system.

Where is the steam emerging? I'm starting to think possibly a sticking Thermostat and/or failed Water Pump.

Graham

 

thank you

I believe it was, there was a crack in the old tank but aside from that everything was fine
it may need a bleed as you said, shouldi fill the rank and let it run for a bit? the coolant level does fall rapidly tho

is there a way to add water directly to the radiator?

i had the thermostat replaced not too long ago
is it possible the water pump fuse has failed?

 

You can unscrew the top of the Thermostat Tower (arrowed in red) to add coolant but it shouldn't be necessary.



The Water Pump is mechanical and driven by the Serpentine Belt. The small heater pump is electrical but when it fails it usually only results in no heat from the heater.

Can you see any leaked coolant under the vehicle?

Graham

 

So, lets try the simple approach. These "bleed lines" you replaced with the tank... specifically the one that goes to the radiator. Is that where thishiss emenates from? Or is it elsewhere? Maybe a description or picture!
Good luck.

 

My bet is the radiator and atmospheric catchment tank lines are swapped.
Everybody can't stand to see lines 'crossed' at the tank and install them incorrectly.

bob gauff

 

Sorry for the late response
I got up under the car and can see water dripping down from the left hand bottom corner of the radiator(if looking at the car head on). I cant tell yet if that water is in fact coming out of the radiator or just dripping down from somewhere else

Has anyone seem anything similar?

 

Look at Bob's reply again. If the lines are swapped you are going to get high pressure back at radiator end of one of those black lines.

 

Chris:
I am (really) trying NOT to be a smart-a##, but yes, all of us who work on our cars have seen coolant dripping one time or another. You just need to get a flashlight, and maybe a paper towel or two and find where it is dripping from. Remember, after the pressure is gone, the water drips downward! Look for where the wet turns to dry.
It sounds like the lower radiator hose, but none of us can tell you where it is leaking on YOUR car.

 

I understand sparkenzap I was fishing for answers more on if this was a common issue but something as specific as this is a guessing game over the internet.

I actually hadn't thought of placing paper towels down as an indicator to where the water first started dripping from, thanks I'm gonna try that in the morning.

As for the wires I checked and checkes, everything is in place
The bleed hose from the expansion tank to the radiator is in place, the one that flows into the tank below the wheel well is also good, and the final hose is ok.

I lifted the car up and noticed the radiator had been knocked off the supports it sits on and was hanging out below the bottom of my car, I have a thread on that and the fix, but i noticed a chip/scratch on one of the corners of the radiator housing which just so happens to be where the water was dripping from.
I must have hit a speed bump or something a little too fast.

Anyways now that the radiator is back in place i'm wondering what my options are
Do there radiators have a bottom/top sealing unit or something of that sort? Or is it time to replace?

 

But are they connected the right way round on the Expansion Tank? LH (Bleed Hose - item 7) to Radiator and RH (Expansion Hose - item 4) to Header Tank. It's very easy to get them the wrong way round.


(click on the image to enlarge it)


Wow - the Radiator has had a good thump! We have different interpretations of a chip/scratch.

It can be difficult to trace the source of a coolant leak because it can run along pipes etc before dripping on to the ground. A pressure test often helps to pinpoint the source.

Graham

 

Yeah, that radiator looks pretty bad! I hit a car battery laying in the road one night in my wife's car and did a similar thing. I put in a new radiator ($650.) but one from a junk yard should cost less than half of that. One on Craig's list should be less still.