Going through radiators

gt96stang · Feb 13, 2009

For some reason, I am going through radiators...

I first thought it was just cheap ones with the plastic endcaps; and thus I bought a fluidyne, because it is all aluminum. And I've replaced the fluidyne under warranty and now again it was hooked and pressurized and it's leaking once again..

Mr Jones 4.6 · Feb 15, 2009

Check how tight the upper mounts are just in cse because I have installed a few radiators that pulled the top so hard towards the support it eventually started leaking. If thats the problem then you will have to make new holes for the bolts to go in the rad support for the rad brackets.

I assume you are buying radiators designed for a 1996 GT, if not that may be your problem.

What mixture are you using? 70/30, 50/50 ? Distilled water or regular? That could cause leaks.

Where is the leak coming from, can you even see it? if so is it coming from the same place on all the radiators?

Run through those and let us know the answers and we can help you from there if you want.

Good Luck

gt96stang · Feb 15, 2009

The upper mounts aren't too tight.. I've had this problem with regular radiators, and the fluidyne replacement witch is almost double in size.

Yes, definitely using the ones made for the 96.

I normally use a 50/50 mix with regular water.

I believe they have all been in the same spot; This last time my mechanic told me it's on the right... so I would want to assume passanger side as if you were looking at the front, I'll have to ask again once he opens up tomorrow.. But, I couldn't notice the leak and they were able to tell by pressure testing it.

I made the switch from the cheaper ones since they had the plastic endcaps, and that's when I could tell it would leak.. So I bought a fluidyne for the fact that it's all aluminum... The guys down at the radiator place said I may have a grounding issue; regardless they are looking at my radiator tomorrow..

97GT4.6 · Feb 17, 2009

I have this same problem, the stock one started leaking on the side support as well, so i put in a mishimoto, which started leaking. they mailed me a new one, and now it leaks too. i put stop leak in it, and it leaks a little bit but oh well. i think my car was wrecked or something.

gt96stang · Feb 19, 2009

97GT4.6 said:
I have this same problem, the stock one started leaking on the side support as well, so i put in a mishimoto, which started leaking. they mailed me a new one, and now it leaks too. i put stop leak in it, and it leaks a little bit but oh well. i think my car was wrecked or something.

From what I've been looking into, and since I just had to get my radiator repaired.. It could possibly be caused by an electric charge in your cooling system.. Which tears through the radiators and could damage your heater core.

http://www.sancarlosradiator.com/electrolysis.htm

Mr Jones 4.6 · Feb 19, 2009

Well one of the first things that I would fix is your water usage, definitely always use distilled. If not the pre-mixed 50/50 coolant by prestone and peak are very affordable and you just poor them in. I am going to look into that article you put the link up on, but that is the same location where mine started leaking too. Hvae you talked to Fluidyne and see if there is anything they can suggest you try to stop leaking?

Let us know if anything changes or after you test for electrolysis.

97GT4.6 · Feb 19, 2009

Hmm, i'll have to give that a try, thats an interesting concept.

gt96stang · Feb 19, 2009

Mr Jones 4.6 said:
Well one of the first things that I would fix is your water usage, definitely always use distilled. If not the pre-mixed 50/50 coolant by prestone and peak are very affordable and you just poor them in. I am going to look into that article you put the link up on, but that is the same location where mine started leaking too. Hvae you talked to Fluidyne and see if there is anything they can suggest you try to stop leaking?

Let us know if anything changes or after you test for electrolysis.

Well... It's been since friday (Feb. 13) and I never heard anything from fluidyne.. I know I could have called, but I just didn't have the time... So, I had the radiator fixed by a local radiator place here and I'm going to put it back together and let them do a complete flush to get out all the old fluid and starting fresh with the new...

I just purchased new peak for them to put in the car as well..

Oh, and from what they told me.. They said to stay away from the pre-mixed stuff... They just called it ''junk'' and I wasn't thinking enough to ask them why..