RubyRod
Seasoned Member
I had a small coolant leak under the Radiator on the driver's side but it took some effort to locate the source. See image below. You can see the drops of coolant on the bottom of the Radiator Support Bracket/Skid Bar.
![IMG_20250525_071234813[1].jpg](https://www.xlr-net.com/forums/attachments/img_20250525_071234813-1-jpg.15827/ "IMG_20250525_071234813[1].jpg")
I was unable to locate any leaks at the hose connections on the Radiator or the front of the Engine so I suspected a Radiator crack but it wasn't obvious. I removed the Upper Radiator Shroud but couldn't tell if the Upper Tank was cracked or not. See images below.
![IMG_20250522_195231573_HDR[1].jpg](https://www.xlr-net.com/forums/attachments/img_20250522_195231573_hdr-1-jpg.15828/ "IMG_20250522_195231573_HDR[1].jpg")
Here's a close-up of the image above.
![IMG_20250522_195201729[1].jpg](https://www.xlr-net.com/forums/attachments/img_20250522_195201729-1-jpg.15829/ "IMG_20250522_195201729[1].jpg")
You can see the plastic rib is separating but it's not clear that the Tank itself is cracked. The plastic is darker between the ribs but it's not clear that this is where the leak is or not. It's hard to see the front of the tank from above or below. These images are from above.
I tried to look for coolant escaping from this area with the car idling both hot and cold but I could never see any fluid leaking. I only knew there was a problem because a small amount of fluid stained the ground under the front of the car when I parked it. It didn't lose enough coolant while driving it for any messages to pop up on the Dot Matrix Display.
I wanted to perform a pressure test but you need a special adapter for the Pressure Cap and they're not easy to find, they're more expensive than I wanted to pay for, & it takes a week for them to arrive. So I proceeded without pressure testing.
Since these cars are known to have problems with cracked Radiators I took a chance and pulled the Radiator. It's both harder and easier than it sounds. After I got the Radiator out of the car I could see the front of the tank better and the white stains that indicate a coolant leak. See below.
![IMG_20250618_073903537[1].jpg](https://www.xlr-net.com/forums/attachments/img_20250618_073903537-1-jpg.15830/ "IMG_20250618_073903537[1].jpg")
This is where the coolant was leaking. I replaced the Radiator and I haven't detected any further fluid leaks under the car for now.
Hope this helps you when your Radiator cracks.
ps. When refilling the cooling system after replacing the Radiator I purchased the Vacuum Tool from Harbor Freight. It pulls vacuum on the system and will quickly indicate a leak in the cooling system. It won't necessarily help you locate it, but it will let you know for sure if you have a leak. After replacing the Radiator I was able to pull vacuum on the system and it held so I'm pretty sure I've solved the coolant leak. The Harbor Freight tool is a little pricey but it does confirm a leak and makes it easier to refill the cooling system. I've filled the cooling system without the vacuum tool but it's a LOT easier and faster with the tool. FYI.
I was unable to locate any leaks at the hose connections on the Radiator or the front of the Engine so I suspected a Radiator crack but it wasn't obvious. I removed the Upper Radiator Shroud but couldn't tell if the Upper Tank was cracked or not. See images below.
Here's a close-up of the image above.
You can see the plastic rib is separating but it's not clear that the Tank itself is cracked. The plastic is darker between the ribs but it's not clear that this is where the leak is or not. It's hard to see the front of the tank from above or below. These images are from above.
I tried to look for coolant escaping from this area with the car idling both hot and cold but I could never see any fluid leaking. I only knew there was a problem because a small amount of fluid stained the ground under the front of the car when I parked it. It didn't lose enough coolant while driving it for any messages to pop up on the Dot Matrix Display.
I wanted to perform a pressure test but you need a special adapter for the Pressure Cap and they're not easy to find, they're more expensive than I wanted to pay for, & it takes a week for them to arrive. So I proceeded without pressure testing.
Since these cars are known to have problems with cracked Radiators I took a chance and pulled the Radiator. It's both harder and easier than it sounds. After I got the Radiator out of the car I could see the front of the tank better and the white stains that indicate a coolant leak. See below.
This is where the coolant was leaking. I replaced the Radiator and I haven't detected any further fluid leaks under the car for now.
Hope this helps you when your Radiator cracks.
ps. When refilling the cooling system after replacing the Radiator I purchased the Vacuum Tool from Harbor Freight. It pulls vacuum on the system and will quickly indicate a leak in the cooling system. It won't necessarily help you locate it, but it will let you know for sure if you have a leak. After replacing the Radiator I was able to pull vacuum on the system and it held so I'm pretty sure I've solved the coolant leak. The Harbor Freight tool is a little pricey but it does confirm a leak and makes it easier to refill the cooling system. I've filled the cooling system without the vacuum tool but it's a LOT easier and faster with the tool. FYI.
