I have a few questions guys. I have a 98 EJ8. There seems to be coolant all over the passenger side of my engine bay by the radiator and airbox. I suspect that there is a coolant leak or maybe I may have a bad rad? Smoke comes out of the rad but I think that is from the coolant landing on a hot surface causing steam/smoke or maybe not. My car does not over-heat. Does anyone have know what's going on?

 

sounds like you have a crack in the top endtank, clean it off and look for a hairline crack.

 

i agree, i had this happen in my DA, soi went for a metal top when i got a new one...

 

x2, this is exactly what happened to me. Time to upgrade to an aluminum rad and silicone hoses. :thumpup:

 

try cleaning everything up with a water hose being careful not to drench anything important then squeezing the hoses and looking for any signs of leaks. if all else fails look for a shop to do a smoke test cant cost that much

 

oooh misa campo

 

Signs of a bad radiator is a crack or leaking.

 

Thanks for everyone's input! I looked into it some more today with better light and it the smoke seems to be coming from the bottom of the rad through the fan? My coolant levels are normal and car is not over heating.

 

X3 cant go wrong with thet upgrade

 

I heard that the all alum ones are heavier, take up more space and you really dont see a whole lot of extra cooling. What do you guys think cuz i need a new one also

 

well aluminium is a pritty light metal as you know but when full of water compared to a standard ther isent that big of a differance in waight and it wouldent be enuf to slow the car down. my car only runs about 15c-20c cooler than the stock rad and it takes up a little more space but its worth it cause its a much stronger rad than a stock with plastic + ther in around the same price range as a new stock rad on ebay(80-120). thats where i got mine along with silicone hoses and they are fine!