BlvdKreeper

Just replaced a the factory radiator with a new one from auto zone. I also purchased the new cap and hoses. After two weeks or so I started noticing coolant loss. Checked on the floor everyone once in a while and there was always a drop or two from under the driver side. well just yesterday I noticed there was some kind of leak right under the cap and there's like a plug in the radiator neck that seems like you can put an L hex key. Can this be loose or something? Or the radiator cap is faulty? I'm no coolant guru here so any help would be appreciated. It looks like this on the following pic. It's right under the cap and next to the trans cooling line

xjheep92

mine does the same thing the AutoZone radiators are garbage. they just aren't made well.
you need to turn your cap more so it seals. if you press down on it and turn it just passed the stopping point where it should lock but not before it twists off completely it will actually seal.

RTorrez1

I know that some after market radiators and caps will leak some. All I have ever done was bend the little tabs on the rad cap to snug it up a bit.

BlvdKreeper

Ill give that a try when I get off work

djb383

Raise the hood, clean it good, let the motor get hot (may take a bit) and watch to see where/what the leak is. AutoZone didn't make the rad, they just put a lifetime warranty on it......u did keep the receipt, right?

BlvdKreeper

Yea I kept the receipt. but yea I'm pretty sure it's leaking from that area. when it's at normal temperature I can see all the wet coolent around that area. if I move the radiator a bit the drops start to come out from the hex looking thing under the cap.

djb383

What do u mean by "if I move the radiator a bit"? Almost sounds like the rad is not mounted snug, may have moved/shifted, possibly cracked. Should be able to remove the air filter box and have a closer look.....maybe snug the plug? How about the rubber coolant recovery tube....it could be cracked/leaking and the efan will blow coolant from one place to another.

jeff2285

my rad leaked in the same place just put a factory cap from a junker on it and it sealed up again

xjheep92

It's the cap. The plastic radiator isn't cast very well so the cap has a poor fit. Look at the plastic nubs vs the stock ones and you will see what i mean.

push on the cap down side to side and I bet it will leak more. If that is the case do what I said above

BrewinXJ

I had to repost on this because I just did what XJHEEP mentioned and it worked. I would have never thought of such an easy way to fix this annoying leak.

Thanks!

xjheep92

Glad it worked out !