Tuscan Radiator Drama

[Tamster.]

Hi all, have noticed some coolant dripping/leaking near the driver's side front wheel recently, have popped the water and air con radiator out today, not sure which one is the culprit though, is there a way of testing the rad's to ensure they are fluid tight? everything else look's oil/water tight in the engine dept.

Might have to bite the bullet and buy a new water/air con rad, not much fun being grounded

Any help would be much appreciated

[BGB autosport]

Was it leaking water or oil? the fluid in the aircon is also a lube and noticeably oily.

[ronspeedsix]

A bit strange maybe, but I always 'taste' the leakage to recognise the fluid. Coolant is easily to be recognised. Maybe there some spill left on your garage-floor.

I would suggest to press up the coolant rad. (you don't want water in the aircon rad). Find some caps to close the rad pipes, top it up with water and then pressurize (max 1 bar) with a tyre-pump. I should maintain pressure.
You have to be a bit creative to fix the caps en make a connection with the tyre-pump. Or contact a local garagist or radiator specialist. Most of them can pressurize it for you.
Before getting the bucks out better be sure to renew the right one.

Tasty luck,

Ronald.

[SP6 Animal]

A/C fluid will be oily and red.
Coolant should be sweet to taste (finger tip) if antifreeze was added possibly blue.
You can get the radiator pressure tested.

[Tamster.]

ronspeedsix said:

A bit strange maybe, but I always 'taste' the leakage to recognise the fluid. Coolant is easily to be recognised. Maybe there some spill left on your garage-floor.

I would suggest to press up the coolant rad. (you don't want water in the aircon rad). Find some caps to close the rad pipes, top it up with water and then pressurize (max 1 bar) with a tyre-pump. I should maintain pressure.
You have to be a bit creative to fix the caps en make a connection with the tyre-pump. Or contact a local garagist or radiator specialist. Most of them can pressurize it for you.
Before getting the bucks out better be sure to renew the right one.

Tasty luck,

Ronald.

Ronspeedsix, did smell like water coolant, maybe an aquired taste? have river's of it on the garage floor/driveway, also air con rad felt very greasy to touch, will do my best to get the rad's tested somehow, thank's for your help

[Tamster.]

SP6 Animal said:

A/C fluid will be oily and red.
Coolant should be sweet to taste (finger tip) if antifreeze was added possibly blue.
You can get the radiator pressure tested.

Had the water radiator pressure tested today, sure was leaking so it's going to be re-cored, also having the air con rad/condenser pressure tested, should have it all back together by tomorrow evening...

[ronspeedsix]

Well done. With a little help from my friends...

[Tamster.]

ronspeedsix said:

Well done. With a little help from my friends...

Have finally got it all back together again, water radiator was re-cored, look's like brand new, air con rad/condenser was pressure tested and no fault found, also driver's side extractor fan was intermittent, ie reluctant to kick in at 92 degree's, cleaned the connector's and all seem's well, water temp. reading 70/75 on the open road and 80/85 in town, full stress test carried out on the drive and can't get it to go above 95 and no more leaking fluid's.

Thank's again for all your help chap's if you have any cooling drama's with water/oil/air can recommend the place that refurbed the offending item.