Coolant Leak Question

[jakejorgenson]

I have an L39. Used it for about 2 hours this morning. Drove to gas station to get fuel and when I turned it off it started leaking coolant and was steaming. No indication of overheating on the panel and normal temps. I took it back to the job I'm using it for and took the front and side panels off and the only thing I could see is what looked like maybe a leak in the left side bottom of radiator right on the bottom. It was too hot to try and touch anything with how long I'd been running it. I didn't see any leaks in any of the radiator hoses or connections. It was dripping down right above the exhaust. It was a puddle about 8" or so in only a few minutes so it was for sure leaking quickly. We've run this machine almost every day for the last few weeks and nothing before today.

Is there something that would stop this leak without a new radiator? I haven't used any of those liquid or solid sealers before on any engines or vehicles so wondering of any of those work.

 

[Jim L.]

Is the bottom of the radiator plastic or metal? If metal, then a radiator shop could fix it. Or someone who can braze a patch over the hole.

If plastic it's doubtful.

My opinion on radiator sealers is that they will cause misery down the road.

 

[100 td]

X2 on not using sealing products, does it have a drain bung that is leaking or has it a hole punched in it, you'll have to find where it's leaking from and have it repaired or replaced.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

A temp Gauge will lie to you on temp if it's very low on coolant as there is nothing touching the temp sensor to register the over temp.

Stop leaks are good for that, side of the road and gotta get it to the shop moments, not for put it in there and call it good.

Get the radiator fixed permanently before you have a serious motor issue.

 

[jakejorgenson]

Didn't look like it had a drain plug or anything in that spot from the quick look I got and it was hot enough and I was in a hurry so didn't get a chance to look. I will look at this Monday for a bit. Sounds like the "stop leak" products aren't really any good.

 

[Daren Todd]

Stop leaks are only for emergency use. On newer engines, thermostats act as a restrictor as well to slow down the flow of coolant through the engine. Stop leak tends to plug up the thermostat causing more issues then it fixes.