Questionable mechanic

995 Views 14 Replies 12 Participants Last post by toyomoho, Feb 14, 2008

brendanmcauley

Discussion Starter · Feb 12, 2008

I have a 92 4x4 4cyl pick-up with 185K. I was changing my oil and noticed some coolant collecting/dripping on the base of the skid plate. I looked at the hoses and noticed that the hose at the bottom of the radiator (inlet hose) had small drops of fluid coming from where the hose meets the radiator. I assumed it was just a bad hose that needed to be replaced but since I didn’t have the time I took it to a mechanic. I am new to my area and the mechanic was recommended to me by a friend and I have used him three times to work on my wife’s car. He told me it wasn’t the hose but that the nipple (never heard of that) where the radiator connects to the inlet hose was warped and to fix the problem I would need a new radiator. Has anyone heard of this before, or is the guy just trying to turn a simple hose replacement into a big job?

Thanks

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

F1000X

· #2 · Feb 12, 2008

By nipple I think he means the lower radiator outlet. If it is warped, I don't think there is much you can do short of replacing the radiator. But, if it is warped I imagine that you should be able to feel it.

It might be worth throwing on a second hose clamp on and cranking them both down as tight as you can get them. If anything this will slow the leak.

If you really doubt the mechanic, just ask to have the original radiator returned to you after the new one is swapped in. Or be there after he bleeds the system and pulls the hose.
-Frank

chewie1014

· #3 · Feb 12, 2008

Have heard of it and it is possible. Still, I would follow F1000X's advice first. New hose and clamp and really get it snug. If that doesn't fix it, then a new radiator.

Georgiadave

· #4 · Feb 12, 2008

There is no subsitute for looking at it yourself. The neck is plastic, I don't see why it should warp. Since you are into the job deeper than you anticipated, you probably should find the time to take over the repair or replacement of the radiator.

ohgood

· #5 · Feb 12, 2008

brendanmcauley said:
I have a 92 4x4 4cyl pick-up with 185K. I was changing my oil and noticed some coolant collecting/dripping on the base of the skid plate. I looked at the hoses and noticed that the hose at the bottom of the radiator (inlet hose) had small drops of fluid coming from where the hose meets the radiator. I assumed it was just a bad hose that needed to be replaced but since I didn’t have the time I took it to a mechanic. I am new to my area and the mechanic was recommended to me by a friend and I have used him three times to work on my wife’s car. He told me it wasn’t the hose but that the nipple (never heard of that) where the radiator connects to the inlet hose was warped and to fix the problem I would need a new radiator. Has anyone heard of this before, or is the guy just trying to turn a simple hose replacement into a big job?

Thanks

If you're willing to change your own oil, you can change your radiator. It'll save you a few bucks to DIY.

Yes, I've seen all kinds of odd cracks in radiators before. It's a good excuse to flush your block out too, get all that gunky stuff out from years and years.

Reactions: 1

F1000X

· #6 · Feb 12, 2008

Georgiadave said:
The neck is plastic, I don't see why it should warp.

Take a propane torch to coke bottle some time, plastic warps like crazy, given enough heat at a certain rate.

Georgiadave

· #7 · Feb 13, 2008

A propane torch? A coke bottle? What do those have to do with a radiator designed to operate at coolant temperatures?

Brendan needs to take a look himself.

greypickup94

· #8 · Feb 13, 2008

try loosening the clamp down there and moving the hose around to kinda re-seat it, then clamp it down tight and wipe off the coolant...if it continues to leak, its prolly the radiator...i really dont even see how having a warped inlet would cause it to leak since the hose would form to it...unless its really bad

DCM

· #9 · Feb 13, 2008

I've had it happen. It wasn't warped though, it started leaking where the pipe was soldered into the rad, and I ended up getting a new rad.

csxmoose

· #10 · Feb 13, 2008

my nipples leak too

greypickup94 said:
try loosening the clamp down there and moving the hose around to kinda re-seat it, then clamp it down tight and wipe off the coolant...if it continues to leak, its prolly the radiator...i really dont even see how having a warped inlet would cause it to leak since the hose would form to it...unless its really bad

i agree with this quote, its gotta be pretty badly warped. although mine does leak slowly from the bottom "nipple" as well, just once every so often.

imagine that, a toyota with lactating nipples :lol::lol::lol:

maxpower_hd

· #11 · Feb 13, 2008

You might also try applying some sealant around the nipple too while you're there and then slide the hose back over it. I would try that before buying a new one.

toytruck89

· #12 · Feb 14, 2008

all mechanic shops are required to furnish any parts removed if you ask for them at the time of the original write-up/drop off of the vehicle.

Hope that helps if you end up getting him to look at it.

Vicoor

· #13 · Feb 14, 2008

when you take your vehicle to a reputable mechanic it is expected that whatever repair is made is just that, a repair.

If he charges you money to rig you up just to get you down the road, in a month or so when the problem returns you are going to be sore because you already paid to have it fixed.

So the reputable mechanic is gong to try to sell you what he sees as a quality repair that will last so his reputation will last as well.

As far as a warped nipple, it is not uncommon to find a radiator outlet that is deformed in some manner or another. Most of the time this is caused by over-tightening the hose clamp.

You may be able to effect a temporary repair by repositioning the hose clamp and even adding a second. But if you do it yourself there's nothing lost if it does not hold up.

DCM

· #14 · Feb 14, 2008

It sounded to me, when reading the original post, that it was the joint where the pipe comes out of the rad that was leaking, not the rad hose-to-nipple connection.

toyomoho

· #15 · Feb 14, 2008 (Edited)

When the engine is hot and coolant system pressured, use a mechanics mirror and strong light to inspect the area. Determine if the leak is where the pipe joins the radiator or looks like it is coming out of the hose.

Have had plastic radiator outlet/inlet pipes with cracks along the barrel, adding addition clamps stopped the leakage.

If the radiator tanks/pipes are plastic and are cracking, replace the radiator before other areas start to crack. This is an easy DIY job.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.