This morning I took my truck out - drove several miles running some errands, all over the course of 25 - 30 mins. Then I parked to take my dog for a walk - upon my return I noticed quite a puddle of coolant under the truck. It wasn't a nice neat puddle as if it was a single leak - it was as if something gave and it burst out as the fan shroud, inner bumper, grill, tie rod, etc were covered. I checked the reserve tank and it was inbetween cold and hot. It was dripping off the frame on the drivers side, right around where the radiators touch the frame. I was able to drive the half mile home - I kept the heater on full and watched the temp gauge - it never got above 190. It continued to drip when i got home and after 20 - 30 mins it stopped - I assumed because the truck had cooled down. The coolant level in the reserve tank still looks fine. Any thoughts/suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

does it look like the coolant over flowed the reserve tank .. like out the top were the cap is.. orthe hose thar runs from radiator to the reserve tank is it conecked good? or cracked hose?... how much coolant 1/2 cup?or?

 

I'm a newbie, but did you check to see if you have any cracks in the hose that connects the radiator to the res tank? I think hoses are the first place to check, I guess you may have a crack in the radiator too, but my first guess would be a bad hose somewhere, but then again Im a newbie ;-)

-tim

 

Unfortunately I am headed out of town for a couple days and don't have time right now to look it over. I would think you guys are right about a hose since it seems to leak once warmed up - so it's either a connection or a hose. If the radiator was cracked would only leak when warm - if it was a small crack.

It didn't leak out the top of the reserve tank, opposite side from the reserve. Looks like it was leaking right under where the Windshield washer fluid tank sits.

Thanks - I'll update more when I get back and have a chance to really look.

 

Is the radiator still full? Does it leak while the engine is running or only after it's shut off?

 

weird, ihope it not radiator. the only thing on the radiator on that side is the drain plug (cockpit) on the bottomand upper radiator hose............ wellhave fun on your trip

 

The level in the radiator looks fine as well as the reserve, although all told it has probably only leaked a cup or two. I just got back last night and tried to begin sorting out the issue. I started the truck up and after maybe five mins of running i could begin to see a drip form on the frame. It seems to be coming from above the drain plug as it looks wet up about 4 inches on the radiator then goes between the radiator and fan shroud. It pools up on the rubber bumper that the radiator sits on ontop of the frame. Generally it seems that it leaks for another 10 to 20 mins after I shut the truck off. My issue is that I am leaving to drive to Maine from Colorado in a week and a half. My guess is I need to remove the fan shroud to get a better look. Thanks for the replys!

 

The stock radiator is a combination of metal and plastic. The connection between the metal core and plastic sides will go bad and start to leak. That's what mine did; it leaked where they connect on the driver's side, and was leaking down on the frame. They do sell all metal radiators, but when mine went I was getting ready to go on a long trip in two days, and didn't have the time to wait for one to arrive in the mail. So I went to the local auto parts store (O'Reillys in this case), bought a new one, and changed it out that evening in the driveway. I figured if the original one lasted 11 years and 160,000 miles, it (metal/plastic)couldn't be too bad, but if I had had the time I'd have ordered an all metal one. Since the radiator is a pain to get out, and I had to take the fan off too, I went ahead and changed out the fan clutch thingalso while I had it apart (something to consider). I should have changed out the thermostat too while I had it that far apart, because a few months later it started sticking, and I had to change it anyway. The only real difficulty I had was disconnecting the automatic transmissioncooler line that goes to theradiator.But once I got the little tool that slides under the connector to release the clip, it was pretty straight forward. Radiator wasn't that expensive (under $200) -don't risk it; if you think the radiator might be bad, just change it out. You'll be kicking yourself while you're stranded on the side of the road with a green puddle under your truck in the middle of nowhere between Maine and Colorado. Good luck.

 

Thanks - that is where I'm at - once I leave Colorado I only want to stop for fuel! I have a shop near-by that I have a good relationship with and they are going to put some pressure to it to see exactly where the leak is- if it is radiator I'm getting a new one asap! Thanks again. I'll let you know what they find.

 

Pressure Tested it and coolant just blew out the side of the radiator - where the aluminum meets the plastic! Bummer - at least we figured it out and I can replace and be okay to drive. Thanks for all the help.