Coolant leak

[beenjammin]

Ok, so I drained and flushed my cooling system a few weeks back. Drained out the radiator and in order to get the remainder of the old coolant out of the block I just popped off the lower radiator hose at the base of the radiator to drain it all out. My chiltons said nothing about a drain plug for the block and if there is one I have been unable to locate it.

Now I've got a slow leak from the lower radiator hose. I replaced the hose and installed the clamps that you turn the screw on to tighten instead of the the springy ones that were on there. It still has a slow leak where the hose connects at the base of the radiator and for the life of me I cannot figure out why its doing this. I'm thinking about moving the clamp a little closer to the lip of the connection that the hose plugs onto as maybe it will seal up a gap? I'm at a loss. Anyone have any pointers?

 

[Earl43P]

I have ALWAYS used gasket sealer on the mating surfaces of large hose connections. I also have used two clamps for troublesome connections (like yours), one in the usual spot and one further back, leaving the nipple bulge between the two clamps.

You may have cracked the plastic outlet on the radiator (where the hose connects).

 

[beenjammin]

I doubt I cracked the outlet, but will definately double check that just to be safe.

Thanks for the tip about the gasket sealer! I got a question about it though: Would something like the blue RTV sealant work for that? I assume just put a good layer all around the outlet before hooking the hose back up.