[caseitman]

I drive a 1990 Ford Taurus. I have notice after i drive the car on a hot day or hard, there will be a dripping coming from either the radiator itself or maybe a connecting line underneath. I was wondering if anyone else has this problem and maybe how to fix it. Thanks

 

[sfhess]

On a hot day,like if you were running the air conditioning?

If not, find the hole in the hose/pipe/gasket/fitting/whatever where the fluid is leaking out.

 

[sheila]

If not a hose or line, check rad. plastic end tanks.

 

[machineop]

Check yer expansion tank.

 

[Jeff K]

Check yer expansion tank.

90 has an expansion tank that is at atmospheric pressure, and those very rarely leak unless you happened to wack it with a hammer. only 96+ have the leak prone pressurized degas tanks.

 

[rudedog]

on a '90 I'd be more inclined to think end tank leak. look for discoloring. could even be a bad cap, leaking down past the inner gasket.

 

[toronut]

I had a Gen1 Taurus and had to replace the radiator 3 times. They all leaked from the same spot---the end tank near the upper rad hose. It's deceptive because it dries off from the heat up there but you see dribbling at the bottom of the rad.

 

[caseitman]

alright thanks, I’ll check under the radiator and the caps, and my temp. gauge goes way up even at night, and when i run my a/c, the fluid comes out really fast.

 

[sfhess]

If the temp gauge goes to the top of the scale that quickly, it's a good bet the thermostat is defective.

 

[caseitman]

ok, so maybe the thermostat and a radiator line or cap. when i started it yesterday i only let it run for maybe a minuet and the antifreeze can dripping out pretty quickly

 

[caseitman]

could it be a water pump?

 

[sheila]

Yes, if the leak is on the pass. side and coming from pump weep-hole.

 

[danhasenauer]

could it be a water pump?

+1
I would check the pump weep hole first. It's a 1990 and do we know the water pump's history?.....

 

[caseitman]

ok I talked to some mechanics at checker and they said it was probably the water pump and I don't know the history of the water pump but I know that the car was well taken care of

 

[sfhess]

ok I talked to some mechanics at checker and they said it was probably the water pump and I don't know the history of the water pump but I know that the car was well taken care of

Stuff can wear out in 20 years.....

 

[caseitman]

yeah thanks, does anyone know where i can get a free guide on how to replace a water pump or step by step directions on how to do it? thanks

 

[sheila]

Should be in the topic finder or wiki.

 

[caseitman]

i looked and couldn't find anything

 

[sheila]

If youre going to keep the car awhile, i would invest $20 in a haynes or chiltons repair manual. You can also do a search here for vulcan water pump removal. There was a how-to by rudedog in the past.

 

[sheila]

The repair manuals are available in most auto part stores