Could be a leaking hose connector or the gasket where the side tanks connect to the core of the radiator. Hard to tell from picture. You need to dry off the hose area and wait to see if the water is flowing from the hose or the tank. You can reseat the hose or the clamp and see if that helps.

 

Thanks. It does not seem to be the lower hose radiator (the one I showed a picture of). Is there any other hose next to this one I should check? How would I go with telling if the radiator or the hose is leaking then? Should I disconnect the hose and wait for it to dry?

 

Also it seems the radiator was hit. The sponge-like lining at the bottom of the radiator is between two thin aluminum plates that are supposed to be straight. The front one is bend over 45 degrees and part of the lining is gone. Is there also damage to the bumper at roughly that place?

 

You are right, it seems the radiator got damaged. I had a minor fender bender 4 years ago that damaged the front bumper around that area, but no leak (or no serious leak) at that time.

 

I have the Duratec engine, and it has the coolant reservoir hose and a tranny cooling line that run to the radiator above the lower radiator hose. Could yours have the same arrangement...and, the cause of a leak running down the side of the radiator and dripping off the bottom of the hose? You haven't mentioned whether the radiator is original. They don't last forever and will develop cracks/pin holes over time.

 

There is that 1/2 inch hose that runs up at the top of the radiator and it maybe running down the tank.

 

It's probably the radiator given the location. But it's worth running the car to operating temp, checking, and then letting it cool down and checking again throughout that process. Some leaks seal up once things expand a little.

In my case I'm actually struggling with a similar leak, I keep getting coolant inside the passenger side subframe channel. It's coming from high enough to drip down inside, but yet not ending up on top of the subframe. It's driving me nuts even though it's a tiny loss lol

 

Given the age of the car, radiators can develop leaks, I've replaced two each in my '99 Sable and Taurus.

 

We'll deal with the radiator look soon and it seems getting a new radiator is a better route. We'll take a closer look when it returns from the shop for the installation of the new tires from 4 Wheelonline this week.

 

I just filled up the tank again. Will run the car and try to see if the leak is still "supposedly" coming from the radiator. If that's the case, I will replace it. Should be doable wit the Haynes manual and the various youtube videos.

 

Here is some additional info on replacing the radiator.

 

Thanks Architect. I just ordered the exact same radiator you mentioned from Amazon. It is almost $100 cheaper than the one from Oreilly/Autozone!

For the ATF lines, do you recomment to use any specific tool (like a spring lock disconnect set)?

 

I would remove the ATF connectors from the OEM radiator before you scrap it. I had problems with the aftermarket quick disconnects leaking and replace the radiator twice because of them. On the third leak I decided to install the OEM top connector and it solved the issue.

 

Thanks for the tip. I'll keep that in mind.
You mentioned earlier "gasket where the side tanks connect to the core of the radiator". Where is this gasket located? Is that at the upper or lower radiator hose?

 

Quick update. I received my radiator today. Took the old one out, currently putting the new one in.
Almost done, but I am stuck for now, the lower transmission line dors not seem to clip in the connector. I think I have to wiggle the radiator a bit, but it’s getting too sunny outside. Hopefully i’ll get more luck tomorrow.

 

I received my radiator today.

That took quite some time. When I ordered that radiator from Rockauto it was shipped the next day and arrived in the Netherlands within a week.

... but I am stuck for now, the lower transmission line does not seem to clip in the connector.

Worst case you could do what Automender said: take a connector out of the old radiator and put it in the new one.