Radiator leakage ?

I was pawing my new CJ-5 (65) this evening down on the ranch where its' been living for the past three years. I noticed some coolant on both sides of the radiator, near the top. Opened the cap, and the coolant level is way low, barely visible. Fired it up, but couldn't see anything coming out, presumably due to the low coolant level in the radiator. This has one of those auxillary electric fans bolted to the front of the radiator. I'm guessing that one of the mounting bolts (it mounts directly to the radiator) is the cause of the leak. I'm going to top it off and see if I can pinpoint the leak. My ? is: when I get it home (real short drive) should I just pull the readiator and take it down to a radiator shop - can they usually fix something like this or am I in for a new radiator. And, what is the trick to mounting this auxillary fan back onto the radiator without messing things up? Is there some other method of installing these fans where they aren't bolted directly to the radiator?

Thanks in advance everyone

 

Take it to a radiator shop, you'd be amazed what they can do.

Welcome aboard from Denver! Where are you? Fill out your profile, some other member might be nearby. Got any photos of your new '65? We likes photos!

Stearman nut, huh? You have one? Better have some photos of that too! I've always wanted to ride in one of those. In my younger days I would have jumped out of it.

 

Rondog,

I'm in Hollister, CA. I'll fill out all the profile stuff as soon as I get a chance. Trying to post some photos of this creampuff, but not sure it'll work. It says the pics have bee uploaded, we'll see.

No, I don't have a Stearman, but in my dreams! Who knows, maybe someday...

 

Welcome from Turlock, CA! (just over the hill!). Any good trails on that side of the pass?

I'd take it to the radiator shop too. As for the electric fan mount...I just mounted a pusher fan with those plastic zip-tie rods that came with my fan....seemed to work pretty well....time will tell I guess.

 

Yep, radiator shop = a lot less than a new radiator. Welcome from Tennessee.

 

Hey thanks for the welcome everyone. Dozer95973 - they have the Hollister Hills State Vehicle Recreation area over here. Twenty some odd miles of off road trails, I have yet to do it.

I topped off the radiator tonight, and got it up to normal operating temperature (180 F) and them let it idle for a spell. Temp stayed constant, and there wasn't any sort of obvious leak in the radiator. Turned it off, checked the coolant level and it was still right up there. However I could bell a little coolant on the front side of the radiator, so there is something leaking. When I get it home I'm just going to pull the radiator and take it to a shop. Good excuse to replace the hoses as well.

Dozer95973 - I like the idea of the zip ties, wen I put it back together I think that's what I'll use. Less likely to damage the radiator.

Okay, so how do I post pics? I tried last night but it didn't work.

Later,

StearmanNut

 

Go to Kragen and look for the install kit for a Hayden or Flex a lite Electric fan....it'll have the plastic zip tie things I'm talking about (not your typical zip ties...they are thick and round...with a washer looking thing that you 'zip' on the other side of the radiator").

The zip ties I used are show like the ones in this pic:
http://www.midwayautosupply.com/detailedproductdescription.asp?13185

We'll see how these hold up...I just installed mine so I can't speak to how long they last......maybe someone else can chime in to that effect...

Good luck!