I am try ing to get to the bottom of this new problem of mine. Two weeks ago, my reservoir was low on antifreeze. i bought Prestone Universal antifreeze and filled the reserv tank. About a few days later I've been noticing leaking from the driver's side near the bottom of my washer fluid tank. A couple of days later, I found a leak in my top radiator hose. After changing it and re-filling with the anti-freeze, I am still seeing the fresh water dropping from the same area.

Does anyone know for sure whether this is a anti-freeze mix problem, or a cracked or bad radiator?? Any help would be appreciated.

well if the system had dexcool in it and you put universal stuff in you probably fouled the system. dexcool doesnt get along with anyone but utself



My car may run 18s, but I can do your taxes in 10 seconds flat.
JBO lube - they would never have enough in stock and we'd never see RodimusPrime again

So am I looking at some failed equipment, or do I need to drain this stuff out (like now)?

Two words ... coolant flush. Have fun!

dan

Two words for the one guy above, YOUR WRONG!.

If you mix Prestone UNIVERSAL, it is JUST FINE with Dexcool, hence the name UNIVERSAL, universal doesnt mean just green, it means green and orange.

We dont know for sure if your radiator is cracked, but if the hose was leaking, you replaced the hose, and the clamp is tight, and hose is on all the way, and it still leaks than I would pretty much bet the farm that your radiator is the problem.

You need to make sure on this site especially you get the right info, some people have no idea what they are talking about, and will post just to post.

I work on cars everyday, I do it for a living. Your mixing the universal with Dexcoo, will do no harm, if you mix green with Dexcool, than yes you will, it turns to gel, and plugs up the system.

good luck


- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new

Thanks. I think its the radiator too. I used the universal (in fact I had to look around to get that to avoid putting in the green stuff). I'm having the car checked out now.

Update: I still have the problem. The mechanic checked all of the connections, and pressure tested the radiator, but he says that the radiator is fine. He told me he did not see it leaking nor does he know what could be my problem.

I have thrown out the molten ice theory, so now I am down to perhaps a condensor as the cause. Would anyone know exactly how or if a condensor that's gone bad would cause clear water leaking under the front of the car??

Any more input would be welcomed as I'm still having (and chasing) this 2 week old problem.

If your using your AC, you will get water dripping from some of the cooler AC components, sort of like a glass with ice water sitting outside on a hot day, water condenses and drips off.

My advice if the shop couldn't find any pressure loss or leaks in your radiator system, keep an eye on it. If its just water dripping when it's hot outside after the AC has been on, and your not loosing any more coolant after you get it all topped off, your good. While I don't really like the universal stuff, it will not hurt the dex cool. Just stay away from mixing the ethylene glycol (green) with the dexcool (red) it tends to clog up systems.

If you do in fact have a leak, fix the leak, do not use the "radiator stop leak" unless your completely out of money... and if you use the stuff use the silver it works better than the copper stuff. My $0.02




22 miles per gallon and dropping fast...

MY advice is to check the hose clamps that are on the top of the coolant reserve tank. I had a bad clamp on the small hose on the very top of the tank. it was weird too, i did a pressure test, and found nothing. I kept seeing a drip or two of coolant coming from the area you described. i had coolant along the sides of the bottle too. one day, i was toying aroudn with this and that, and saw a little dribble of coolant come out the end of the hose. I replaced the clamp, problem went away. I sill can't comprehend why it didnt show up during a pressure test. The system held at about 16ish psi for 30 mins, thats when i gave up on that.

Is your washer fluid filled with water? You might have a crack there .

I checked there also. Its holding its fluid. i had replaced that tank not very long ago as it was leaking.

It isn't hot outside, (it has been really cold and snowing) and I didn't even have the window defroster on (the one that is run by the ac). When I have ac condensation it usually drips from the passenger side.

I'm not having a coolant leak per se.....it is like cold tap water dripping from the front of my car next to the window washer fluid bottle.....and its not the washer fluid either.

Let me clarify my update. I believe its the "radiator" condensor that may be the culprit, not the a/c condensor. Any more ideas?

Your going to have to find a friend with a cooling sysytem pressure tester and see if you have a leak.




ASE Certified Techician
DaimlerChrysler Certified Techician
Va Safety Inspector
Member Option D Racing