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  #1  
Old 04-25-2019, 10:52 PM
rogerranger2122 rogerranger2122 is offline
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Default how is my radiator even holding any fluid at all??

2000 ford ranger.

hopefully the only leak is the pic with the red circle I made around where the black tank has a small crack. I put some standard JB weld on it (said ok for plastic) but it's still leaking the next day. Maybe I didn't allow 24 hrs before driving it a youtuber mentioned, anyway I'm searching for a specific radiator patch kit now, the truck is a real POS about to basically be scrapped, soon so I'm not trying to replace anything.


a couple days ago I took off and left off the big plastic shield that protects the radiator from road debris in order to try and find the leak. Next day drove about 2 hours highway. Then I noticed as shown in pic, the radiator grill fins, the bottom tube/line has all these little holes in it and completely a hole through it. I don't think this happened from 2 hours of highway driving without the plastic shield on, the truck is extremely rusty but this seems like stainless but still I don't think these holes just happened.

It still holds antifreeze somewhat decently though even with the hole right through it. how is that possible?
Some days I can drive an hour and not really need to top off the expansion tank, other days the expansion tank is almost empty. I keep antifreeze in truck w/ me.



Hoping to get a patch that actually works (sand off previous) and not have any leaks besides that one, but if does then I guess I'll get a used radiator from junk yard but afraid flair nuts on trans lines will cause a nightmare from corrosion. getting rid of truck within 2 months anyway.
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File Type: jpg radiator leak (2).jpg (62.1 KB, 21 views)
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  #2  
Old 04-26-2019, 05:51 AM
Ordinary Biker Ordinary Biker is offline
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Default Re: how is my radiator even holding any fluid at all??

The first picture isn't clear so I can't say anything about it, can't see what you mean in it. In the second one, the fins are bent. No big deal, doesn't look like the capillary tubes are damaged. JB weld does have it's place in the world, but you gotta give it it's best chance to work by letting it cure fully.
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Old 04-26-2019, 10:10 AM
crowdpleazer crowdpleazer is offline
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Default Re: how is my radiator even holding any fluid at all??

JB Weld isn't going to work unless you drain the radiator completely dry.
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Old 04-26-2019, 03:23 PM
IA Transplant IA Transplant is offline
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Default Re: how is my radiator even holding any fluid at all??

Use flex seal. Duh.


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  #5  
Old 04-26-2019, 06:42 PM
rogerranger2122 rogerranger2122 is offline
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Default Re: how is my radiator even holding any fluid at all??

No, you missed the point, the hole IS through the channel tube. sorry couldn't get better pic with new camera was giving me problems.



Also that the bottom channel tube has lots of little holes in it, not sure if from road pebbles or what. But it still holds fluid decently somehow.



Where the fins are bent I did that to try and show the hole goes all the way through.



Seems my trans flair nut lines might not be rusty so I'm ok with getting a used radiator for like $50 from junk yard if I can. The jb weld stuff might not work and/or can't drive it for 24 hours but need to. I haven't looked into quicker patches though because I was hoping someone here could explain how there's holes but can still drive 2 hours without loosing all fluid.
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Old 04-26-2019, 08:34 PM
Ordinary Biker Ordinary Biker is offline
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Default Re: how is my radiator even holding any fluid at all??

Quote:
Originally Posted by rogerranger2122 View Post
No, you missed the point, the hole IS through the channel tube. sorry couldn't get better pic with new camera was giving me problems.



Also that the bottom channel tube has lots of little holes in it, not sure if from road pebbles or what. But it still holds fluid decently somehow.



Where the fins are bent I did that to try and show the hole goes all the way through.



Seems my trans flair nut lines might not be rusty so I'm ok with getting a used radiator for like $50 from junk yard if I can. The jb weld stuff might not work and/or can't drive it for 24 hours but need to. I haven't looked into quicker patches though because I was hoping someone here could explain how there's holes but can still drive 2 hours without loosing all fluid.
Ok. I guess none of what you wanted to show us really came through with your pictures. Don't know what to tell you though. Your truck is either blessed or maybe cursed.
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Old 05-08-2019, 05:16 PM
rogerranger2122 rogerranger2122 is offline
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Default Re: how is my radiator even holding any fluid at all??

it was actually another grill with fins type thing in FRONT of the radiator that has the holes all the way through the tubes. Not sure what that grill is. edit, probably the AC condesor - AC does work though but not great, truck being scrapped soon anyway.

The radiator didn't have any holes I just replaced it, but now the friggin transmission lines are leaking where they connect to radiator but I made them super tight, will check some youtube fixes, hopefully can just Teflon tape them or something. there ARE o rings inside the new radiator so I dunno how the heck it's leaking.

edit, leaking trans fluid caused by the aftermarket radiator should have had Teflon tape or similar on the fitting threaded into the radiator (Wasn't leaking on the flare nut o ring). Originally I DID tighten their fitting very well but it still leaked. Now it's all good.

Last edited by rogerranger2122; 05-08-2019 at 08:54 PM.
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