The Ford Barn

SteveR. · 07-01-2018, 12:10 AM

There is water dripping slowly from the "brace/tray" below my radiator, but I can't find any leaks at all from the radiator. I've attached a picture of the drip on the bottom of the brace. I can't see how this leak would be from anywhere but the radiator, are they prone to leaking in specific locations? I"m not sure where to look as I can't find any wet spots on the bottom of the radiator.

old31 · 07-01-2018, 01:25 AM

Check underneath your bottom hose where it attaches to the radiator. I once had a very small weep there that would cause the bottom to become wet.

Mike V. Florida · 07-01-2018, 03:29 AM

The bottom tank of the original radiators were riveted to the steel strap. Maybe from there?

Jacksonlll · 07-01-2018, 05:23 AM

Check the rad inlet where it attaches to top tank. Common trouble spot.

Lona · 07-01-2018, 07:51 AM

Does it leak all the time even after being parked awhile? If so, must be the rad itself or the hose connections. If it leaks when running or when just shut down, it might be the overflow tube. Many guys fill their rads too full when engine is cold and then it runs out the overflow tube as things warm up.

Glen

eagle · 07-01-2018, 08:52 AM

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Usually it's a hose clamp or damaged hose itself. Take them both off and inspect them well.

Ed in Maine · 07-01-2018, 09:34 AM

Temporarily add a second hose clamp, one of the modern SST clamps that can be opened so that you can slip it over the hose. Tighten securely and see if this stops the leak. Ed

FordTudor1931 · 07-01-2018, 11:09 AM

Just fixed the very same problem. Thought it was the lower hose connection so I added a second clamp. Still intermittent leaking. Time to remove the radiator for a more complete inspection. It turned out that the lower pipe connection had a very small hole in the solder used to connect it to the lower tank. Easy to fix and no more leak.

07-01-2018, 01:25 AM	#2
old31 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 2,097	Re: Water leak near radiator, where should I look? Check underneath your bottom hose where it attaches to the radiator. I once had a very small weep there that would cause the bottom to become wet.

07-01-2018, 03:29 AM	#3
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Water leak near radiator, where should I look? The bottom tank of the original radiators were riveted to the steel strap. Maybe from there? __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

07-01-2018, 05:23 AM	#4
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Water leak near radiator, where should I look? Check the rad inlet where it attaches to top tank. Common trouble spot.

07-01-2018, 07:51 AM	#5
Lona Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gloucester, Va Posts: 464	Re: Water leak near radiator, where should I look? Does it leak all the time even after being parked awhile? If so, must be the rad itself or the hose connections. If it leaks when running or when just shut down, it might be the overflow tube. Many guys fill their rads too full when engine is cold and then it runs out the overflow tube as things warm up. Glen __________________ '31 Model A Deluxe Roadster '31 Chrysler Model 70 Sedan '88 Pontiac Fiero GT '36 Auburn Boattail Speedster replica

07-01-2018, 08:52 AM	#6
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Water leak near radiator, where should I look? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Usually it's a hose clamp or damaged hose itself. Take them both off and inspect them well. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

07-01-2018, 09:34 AM	#7
Ed in Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cty., ME or Flagler Cty., FL Posts: 1,106	Re: Water leak near radiator, where should I look? Temporarily add a second hose clamp, one of the modern SST clamps that can be opened so that you can slip it over the hose. Tighten securely and see if this stops the leak. Ed

07-01-2018, 11:09 AM	#8
FordTudor1931 Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Grand Haven, MI Posts: 95	Re: Water leak near radiator, where should I look? Just fixed the very same problem. Thought it was the lower hose connection so I added a second clamp. Still intermittent leaking. Time to remove the radiator for a more complete inspection. It turned out that the lower pipe connection had a very small hole in the solder used to connect it to the lower tank. Easy to fix and no more leak.