A little help

[Corvette Jabo]

I have a neighbor who has a 1996 Escort with a 4-cylinder engine. She was told that her car needs a new radiator. When I looked at the car I can not see anything wrong with the radiator (no leaks). She told me the car only leaks at the radiator when its cold outside. The radiator is an aluminum core and has the plastic sides. I would have thought if there was anything wrong with the radiator that it would leak on a hot day after she turns the car off and heat and pressure build up in the engine........nothing.

I am old school and have not heard of this on these types of radiators and do not want to replace the radiator if its ok. I could use a little help from my younger Automotive-Brothers.

Jabo
:)

[Car Guy]

Usually you will find a leak when there is pressure on the cooling system but I have seen radiators, water pumps, and other cooling system components leak when the temperature drops or the system is cooling down. Not the norm but it can happen......

[UnderPSI]

Same happened to a guy at work. What he ended up doing is crimping the sides tighter on to the plastic. When the car was cold the water would leak out between the aluminum, but when it got hot it expanded and sealed its self up. Take a look at how tight they are crimped. both ends of his were really loose. Good luck