Radiator / Coolant Leaks

Yesterday, while picking up my grandmother, i saw a SIGNIFICAN'T amount of coolant coming from underneath the car.  I mean, a lot!!
It almost seemed as though the radiator completely cracked.  I looked and looked, and found that the  coolant was coming from near the top radiador hose.  I didn't see any coolant from from it, but i saw coolant on the walls of the radiator right next to it.
So basically, i drove it to PEP BOYS and got the top hose.  I wanted to get both, top and bottom, but the bottom is special order.
Taking the hose was pretty easy.  I removed the air box to get access and voila!  
I also gutted the air box since i had all that out.  

Does anyone know which of the major auto chains carrys the bottom hose?  

Ohh, yeah.  No leaks since.  

i had to order that part online myself when my radiator went, it was less than $10 Im pretty sure.

I popped my hood yesterday and noticed some coolant on the block. I've been smelling a hint of it when I get home from my hour long+ drive, and I suppose that's why. The temperature as been normal, going over 200 slightly at a stop, but that's about it. I would take pictures but my camera isn't here at the moment, where should I check for leaks?

Check the radiator hoses, especially near the clamps.

check to see if it is running over the cap on the resov and on the radiator.
where is it dripping from?

I'll have to check it tomorrow after work, it's too dark at the moment. I have no idea where it's dripping from, I just noticed some had settled on the block just below the blower.

Turns out my radiator has a small leak, we pressure tested it today and it wouldn't hold 15 psi, dropped down to around 8-9 somewhat quickly. We couldn't get it to leak, but you could see where it had been leaking. I guess it's just a good excuse to buy an aluminum radiator from zzp I also learned something new, but i'll post a new topic as it has nothing to do with my radiator.

how hard is it to change the radiator in a 1996 buick riv, were else can coolant leak from. just notice coolant under left side of the radiator. but can't see nothing.

check the hose connections and hoses first

will do thanks.

When I got minenit was also leaking coolant on the left side it ended up being the radiotor cracked changed it my self in about a hour and a half. I also agree with chicken check the hoses before buying a radiator!

They like to crack right where the AC evap core sits on the radiator.

Over many cycles of expansion and contraction (running the car and letting it cool) the plastic endcaps will develop cracks. If you can't see it, most likely it is there, just out of sight.

ive had a coolant leak the entire time ive owned the riv.

ive just put in a bottle over an entire wnter. (or so)

when I park it for the smmer and come back to it, it was empty of fluid.

I think the leak is coming from the radiator.

but ive also noticed a small puddle under the passengers rear of the engine.

im really lazy and havnt taken a look at it

what could it be?

your big problem is not the leak, it's the lazy...

once u r past that lazy stuff, try looking at the heater core or hoses to/from or related connections

also be sure 2 check for leak inside passenger compartment. Pull up carpet and check pass side footwell.

Albertj

No leaks on the inside of the car.....

Is there anything on the passengers rear of the engine that has coolant to it?

The leak on the pass side rear of engine could just be normal condensation dripping from the HVAC drain. Make sure it's just's clear water, if so it's normal. If it's the color of your anti-freeze it could be the heater core or a hose leading to the core. You will need to look very closely to see.
If you know the radiator is leaking, fix that first, then pressure test the system for any possible additional leaks.
But take care of the known big leak first.

So I bought this Riviera from my GF's parents for peanuts and the thing is using coolant. Every day i have to add 8-16 oz. Its not leaking anywhere. I assume this is very bad. i just don't know where the coolant is going. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
james

sounds like the same prob i had..
my water pump was goin bad and i think one of the hoses had a leak...it only leaked when the car was drivin and the temp got higher. so thats why u prolly cant see it when its just sittin here.

Well that's a start. I will go start it and leave it running and see what I can see
Thank you for sharing

If you can't see any coolant on the ground, you are looking for an internal leak. Most likely it's the lower intake manifold gaskets, but we need to know the year and which engine too.

Add the year and S/C or N/A in your sig so we don't have to ask every time you have a question!

I'm sorry. I know better than that. It is a 95 SC Riv.

I ran it for 15 minutes up to about 180-190 degrees. I saw a few drops on the ground but nothing significant.

Were the few drops on the ground under the radiator?

When the black plastic radiator tanks were leaking on my car only a
few drops appeared on the ground.

6spd wrote:

I ran it for 15 minutes up to about 180-190 degrees. I saw a few drops on the ground but nothing significant.

A few drops is significant.
If you have a coolant system pressure tester, you need to use it and find the source of the leak. The leak will be more pronounced under the correct amount of pressure, about 14 to 16 psi.
If you don't have a tester you need to find someone or a shop that does. You'll get more than just a few drops under pressure. And will better able to determine where the leak is coming from.
Your going through way too much coolant. You have problem.

I agree with Rick. Let it go and at some point you'll 'accidentally' overheat and possibly do some real damage. Get it pressure tested.