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Jan 21st, 2020
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 149
OP
'Bolter
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I'm losing coolant from the radiator but I can't tell from exactly where. It doesn't appear to be from the hoses but toward the bottom of the radiator. I guess doing a pressure test is the next step but I don't know how to do that and don't have the equipment. I looked in the tech tips for some info but couldn't find anything. My radiator is a Champion aluminum that's about 7 years old. What's your advice? Thanks!
Denny
'53 3100 w/1960 261 cid, 848 head.
Weber 32/36 progressive 2 barrel carb.
Three on the tree & 3:55 torque tube
12 V w/Gener-Nator & 6 V starter
'98 Chevy Suburban 350 ci awd/4wd
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Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,015
'Bolter
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Most decent FLAPS has a loaner cooling system pressure tester. I know my O'Reilly's and Auto Zone do.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/13
'52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 3,187
'Bolter
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If you know the leak is from the radiator, there's no reason to waste time testing it for a leak.
Take it to a radiator repair shop. Here, the local place charges $65 to clean out the radiator and find and repair the leak.
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom)
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck)
1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather)
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif)
1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red)
1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe
1979 Ford F-100
1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red)
1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4,977
'Bolter
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If one cannot tell where a leak is, it could also be internal to the engine. Park over a clean floor to locate. Could be head gasket, water pump, freeze plug, cracked block!
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 149
OP
'Bolter
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All good points, thanks. I see it coming from near the bottom of the radiator. Off to the radiator shop.
Denny
'53 3100 w/1960 261 cid, 848 head.
Weber 32/36 progressive 2 barrel carb.
Three on the tree & 3:55 torque tube
12 V w/Gener-Nator & 6 V starter
'98 Chevy Suburban 350 ci awd/4wd
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,208
'Bolter
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Check that the lower radiator hose is properly installed and not cocked and leaking fluid back onto the radiator. Mike B 
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 3,187
'Bolter
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Be sure the radiator shop knows that this radiator is from a zero pressure system. You don't want him pumping it up to 15 pounds to find a leak. My truck has a 4 lb cap.
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom)
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck)
1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather)
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif)
1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red)
1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe
1979 Ford F-100
1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red)
1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
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