Radiator coolant leak

[ursina]

I did my timing belt about 9 months ago and in the process replaced the water pump and radiator hoses. I noticed a coolant dripping from my OB ('02 107k miles) the other day. Looking under the car I noticed that the hose clamp on the lower hose going into the radiator was loose. So I tighten the clamp and the bottom of the radiator dried up about 70%. There still seems to be a lot coolant, not on the radiator, but on the wire bundle under the radiator. (sorry the attached picture sucks). How long dose coolant linger? Can it be a seem leak and the hot radiator evaporates the coolant on the radiator? Any other ideas or do I need a new radiator? Thanks in advance for your advice.
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IMG_0885 by teamgeoduck, on Flickr

[plain OM]

Antifreeze can remain for a long time. It doesn't tend to evaporate quickly, especially if the surrounding temperatures are relatively cool. The wire harness might have been soaked when the hose clamp allowed the leakage, and so still appears to be wet.

I believe the lower hose is visible at the center left of the photo. If I'm not mistaken, the pump is at the far left (visible screw clamp). The other end of the hose going into the radiator appears to have one of those wire clamps. They often just don't hold -- seem to stretch or bend out of shape so no matter how tight the screw is, they will still leak. Are you sure there's no coolant leaking there anymore? There might be some evaporation, but that lower area is the cool side of the radiator so there would still be some sign of leakage in that area if the clamp isn't holding.

A garden hose could be used to wash down the area around the wire bundle -- this would dilute any remaining coolant and flush it away. The water should then dry off fairly quickly. If the signs of coolant persist, then there is probably still a leak somewhere.

Perhaps a confirming indicator might whether or not there's any apparent loss of coolant as indicated by a drop in the level in the reservoir over time (between drives) when the engine is cool.

[ursina]

The lower hose is bone dry all around warm and cold. The the area looks a lot more wet on the opposite side then where the hose goes in. There is missing fluid in the res tank when cold. I went to dive the wife around for last minute xmas stuff and looked under my car several times today. I noted a lot of fluid after driving a few miles, even the bottom plastic part of the radiator was wet, but not up to the seem. I also saw some pooling on top of my skid plate. The wetness didn't look like it was coming from the seem that faced the engine, and cannot tell if it was the side facing the front of the car.

Later in the day there is still fluid like of the first photo, but none on the radiator. Seems most of the leaking happens during warm up or something.

The the area looks a lot more wet on the opposite side then where the hose goes in.

Should I just get a new radiator, try some sort of leak stop, or any other advice? If a new radiator, should I get a Subaru one for about 250, or another good options out there (full aluminum or other type upgrade)?

Thanks and Merry Xmas eve!

[plain OM]

If you're reasonably confident that it's the seam, then it's probably best to replace the radiator as I don't think it would be cost effective to try to repair it.

I wouldn't recommend the use of a leak stop -- it won't be a reliable fix, especially if the tank seam is the problem. (The leak stop might work if the problem is a tiny pin-hole in one of the tubes, but if the seam is leaking it means that the metal fingers holding the tank to the core of the radiator have weakened. This will only get worse.)

Others here have had more experience with replacing Subaru radiators and might have views on what to buy if you decide to replace it.

But you might want to try to first confirm where the coolant is coming from.

[keninn]

i have a silla all aluminum radiator in my 02 outback, 2.5. fit is almost perfect. performance is exceptional. also, the drain is in a reasonable place, and can be accessed from up top, no need to jack up the front. i got the radiator for a killer deal. i think the vendor is genesis, or maybe gemini, it started with a g. i was searching for a hd radiator when i first got the car, since i was doing a timing belt, hoses, a/t cooler, p/s cooler, and all associated. i use the car to deliver mail, and i wanted to change out as much as i could for the long haul. the radiator was advertised as heavy duty, no brand, but all metal. it also said the weight was like 25 lbs, and i was skeptical, but i wanted a heavy duty radiator. when it came, it was really light, and when i unpacked it, it was a silla box. all aluminum, gorgeous tig welds. cost me like 120 bucks. after i saw it was silla, i went online, and all the silla radiators i could find were more than twice as much.

[ursina]

So I took a long shot and put a new hose clamp on my lower hose, but no fix. The wettest part of the radiator is in the middle (as seen in photo). The heaviest leak time is seems to be during warm up. I cannot find any place for the leak except the lower plastic tank. All I can think is the seam. Anyhoo, I have a silla all aluminum radiator SILLA7411AA on order. Hopefully, this will fix. I am planning on doing a flush before the swap. Should I get a pro to do it, or is the little bottles of flush at the parts store good enough?
Thanks!


IMG_0901 by teamgeoduck

IMG_0905 by teamgeoduck

[ursina]

Update:
Put my new radiator this weekend and drove 20 or so miles and on the freeway too. The leak is gone! The old radiator had a bunch of road dirt, bugs and leafs stuck in the front middle (see photo). After cleaning it off I didn't see anything looked like crack or leak, so my best guess is a seam leak.

On a side note: I ordered an all aluminum Silla radiator (SILLA7411AA) from AutoPartsWarehouse.com, but they sent me one with plastic tanks (SILLA7411A), called and spoke to "Jeff" with a rather eastern accent he said they did not have any in stock, so I returned it. So I called autopartsdeal.com and talked to "Fred" with an eastern accent and he said that they had two all aluminum in stock. I ordered the radiator, but had a feeling that their setup was all to similar to the first place (similar order numbers, all of the phone people cannot say radiator correctly, and same final cost). So I called the second place again to confirm they had the part in stock and they they were not the same company. "Roger" said that they did have the correct radiator and they were not the same company, but answered the phone for both companies. I got the wrong radiator again, so I called Silla and they said that they are way out of stock on the all aluminum and do not know when they will have more. Well I needed to get on with my life, so I had the second company refund me the difference and put the plastic tank one in my OB. Works just fine and will do, but I realy wanted the all aluminum. But I do not know if I'll order anything from these companies again. They could of at least asked me if I wanted the plastic one.
Oh yeah, does anyone know of a good parts dealer?

IMG_0910 by teamgeoduck, on Flickr