Radiator transmission line leaking coolant 2008 ranger

[carbuff]

So on my 2008 ranger 2.3 I have a coolant leak where the upper transmission line goes into the radiator. The actual line screws into a metal fitting that is screwed into the plastic tank. It is leaking coolant where the metal fitting goes into the plastic tank. No leaking of tranny fluid, just a small leak of coolant. Is this something that can be fixed or resealed or does it mean that the plastic is cracked and the radiator is toast? All the posts I have seen about this have been leaking tranny fluid from an o-ring on the fitting but nothing about a coolant leak. Anyone have an idea?

 

[DILLARD000]

New radiator needed.

 

[carbuff]

So then that port has no exposure to coolant. If theres coolant there, theres a crack?

 

[DILLARD000]

Junk PlasticTanked Radiator cracks are not repairable.

 

[carbuff]

Yes I understand that cracks are non repairable. Just wondering if that metal fitting might just be loose or need to be sealed or something. Does that fitting keep coolant in, or is it strictly for tranny fluid going into the internal cooler.

 

[carbuff]

So I ended up removing the tranny line from the fitting and unscrewing the fitting from the tank. No cracks that I could see. Just a ring of metal where the cooler meets the tank. It looked like there might have been some sort of gasket under the fitting where it meets the tank so I blue siliconed the mating surface and screwed it back down. I will let it dry overnight. We will see. It was a very small leak so who knows. Also I actually bought one of those small one use packets of the silicon that you see at the counter all the time. Hopefully its fixed for 2 bucks.

 

[carbuff]

Well, I drove the truck around all day and it got good and hot. The heat was roasting my eyes out. LOL. No drips or leaks so far. Fingers crossed.

 

[umpcam]

I just discovered today that I have a leak in my '04 from the lower fitting. Any update on your silicone solution?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I just discovered today that I have a leak in my '04 from the lower fitting. Any update on your silicone solution?

Usually a leak around those fittings indicates the radiator is on its way out. Silicone (the one for coolant) may help a minor leak seal up for awhile. The plastic tank radiators really aren’t the best. Plastic expands and contracts at a different rate than aluminum so eventually they start leaking. There is essentially a tiny radiator inside the plastic tank that the transmission fluid flows through to exchange heat with the coolant without mixing with the coolant.

 

[umpcam]

Usually a leak around those fittings indicates the radiator is on its way out. Silicone (the one for coolant) may help a minor leak seal up for awhile. The plastic tank radiators really aren’t the best. Plastic expands and contracts at a different rate than aluminum so eventually they start leaking. There is essentially a tiny radiator inside the plastic tank that the transmission fluid flows through to exchange heat with the coolant without mixing with the coolant.

I went ahead and replaced the radiator. The old radiator took all the little weird issues, like heater flakiness, with it so I appear to be good to go now.