Avanti R1 Coolant Leak.

[fstst56]

I bought a '63 Avanti this past June.

It has a coolant leak dripping off the LH front lower corner
of the radiator. I decided to nurse it through the summer and
look into it after I put it away for the winter, probably in a
week or two, now.

I've driven it 1200 miles with no overheating problems.
If I top off the surge tank, it all just leaks out again
and then quits leaking. After it stops leaking the surge tank
is empty. Any ideas on where the leak actually is coming
from?

I'm probably losing a gallon of coolant before it quits leaking.

Should I install one of Ed Reynold's surge tank eliminator
kits or am I going to have to R&I the radiator and have it
tested?

Thanks,
fstst56

[41 Frank]

If the radiator appears to have a leak I suggest you remove it and have a radiator shop test it. Removing the expansion tank and installing the eliminator kit won't do anything to stop the radiator from leaking plus you will lose the extra coolant capacity the tank gives you.

[Flashback]

I have an old pump , made by Stant, that I use to pressurize the
system and check for leaks. Might save you r&r time if you can get
your hands on one and test it.

Tex E. Grier

[JBOYLE]

As part of my cars restoration, I had my radiator cleaned, tested, fixed.
It only cost about $200, not a bad deal.
Any radiator in a 47 year old car could probably use the same...

63 Avanti R1 2788
1914 Stutz Bearcat
(George Barris replica)

Washington State

[Gunslinger]

Definitely have your cooling system pressure tested. That should show where a leak is coming from. Just because the coolant is dripping from a particular place doesn't necessarily mean that's where the leak is...it could be running down from another place and dripping from there. As already said, it's not a bad idea to have your radiator cleaned and tested along with your expansion tank. Once you know those parts are OK, I would recommend replacing the hoses when you reinstall them.




Poet...Mystic...Soldier of Fortune. As always...self-absorbed, adversarial, cocky and in general a malcontent.