Coolant leak, I need help
Coolant leak, I need help Ok guys, I have a coolant leak coming from that tube that runs from the radiator to what looks like the front of the intake. The hole has a small hole near the intake side. I tried to replace this hose only to find out GM discontinued it. Where can I get a replacement hose for it? What's the name of the hose? Side note, I did temporarily replace it with a hose of similar size, but its not molded like the original. Well, while I was putting it on I f&*kin broke the outlet to the radiator. Am I SOL and have to buy a new radiator or is there a way I can work around it? Thanks fellas.
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: NearHouston, TX
are you talking about the small hose that goes to the bottom of throttle body, the one usually bypassed on most LS1's. bypassed it will then run from top of radiator and run along radiator and go in at a metal T on driver's side of intake? Any similar high temp hose or fuel hose will work. You can buy small lengths of that hose at auto parts stores, I buy it at Sears appliance store.
IF that is the one, that is only to put warm coolant fluid thru your throttle body during starts, I guess to warm it up and thaw it out during cold months.
If you broke that plastic fitting on your radiator (the top one near fill cap), If you broke it completely down to the radiator, you may be able to thread in a barbed fitting with a threaded end that will hold, clamp the hose on it. If you only broke off a piece of it, check and see if a new hose can still be clamped on it. and run the other end of the hose past the throttle body to the metal T fitting I talked about earlier. I believe you can also plug the inlet and outlets for that tube, but need an expert opinion. Worse case, buy a new radiator, they aren't expensive. A performance one costs $125 I believe, but make sure you buy the year specific for your car
IF that is the one, that is only to put warm coolant fluid thru your throttle body during starts, I guess to warm it up and thaw it out during cold months.
If you broke that plastic fitting on your radiator (the top one near fill cap), If you broke it completely down to the radiator, you may be able to thread in a barbed fitting with a threaded end that will hold, clamp the hose on it. If you only broke off a piece of it, check and see if a new hose can still be clamped on it. and run the other end of the hose past the throttle body to the metal T fitting I talked about earlier. I believe you can also plug the inlet and outlets for that tube, but need an expert opinion. Worse case, buy a new radiator, they aren't expensive. A performance one costs $125 I believe, but make sure you buy the year specific for your car
Last edited by RJDio; Apr 3, 2014 at 01:28 AM.
Yeah thats the hose I'm referring to. It goes from the outlet that's just below the radiator cap to the metal outlet on the front driver side of the intake (or I guess what everyone one says is the throttle body). I did just use a hose of a similar size but I thought I needed that molded hose.
I did break the outlet completely off. Theres nothing for the hose to attach to.
I did break the outlet completely off. Theres nothing for the hose to attach to.
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 555
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From: NearHouston, TX
the throttle body is what your gas pedal cable is attached to. It is what adds air into your engine. If you pull the cable under the hood you can see and feel it opening. Well GM (and other car makers) put warm coolant through them for very cold start conditions, but after car is warmed it scavanges a few horsepower. So most remove hose from that throttle body, bypass it and put it directly into that fitting at driver side of intake.
If it was my car and I didn't have much money to replace that radiator, I'd take to a radiator shop and ask them if they can fix it (they may be able to thread in a fitting, and attach that hose to it). If they quote you an insane amount of money (remember a new radiator isn't very much $50-$150), you can do it yourself with just the price of the fitting (probe about $15), however you will need to shop for that fitting size, I use JEGS.com, Ebay, etc.. You may need to add a backing nut since the radiator wall may be too thin to hold a threaded fitting, I'd cut a slice of high temp tubing and use as a rubber washer on both sides so you don't crack through the radiator. You only want it snug. I repair med equip and I'm pretty sure I could make it work. Good luck, these things happen and it is a good opportunity to learn something about your car. If you put in a new radiator, you will learn alot. Check out youtube for instructional vids. You will need to drain and then add coolant. Only use what is recommended!
If it was my car and I didn't have much money to replace that radiator, I'd take to a radiator shop and ask them if they can fix it (they may be able to thread in a fitting, and attach that hose to it). If they quote you an insane amount of money (remember a new radiator isn't very much $50-$150), you can do it yourself with just the price of the fitting (probe about $15), however you will need to shop for that fitting size, I use JEGS.com, Ebay, etc.. You may need to add a backing nut since the radiator wall may be too thin to hold a threaded fitting, I'd cut a slice of high temp tubing and use as a rubber washer on both sides so you don't crack through the radiator. You only want it snug. I repair med equip and I'm pretty sure I could make it work. Good luck, these things happen and it is a good opportunity to learn something about your car. If you put in a new radiator, you will learn alot. Check out youtube for instructional vids. You will need to drain and then add coolant. Only use what is recommended!
