Radiators

Usually the rubber will be hard and cracking

Yes.

A really good TIG welder can do this. Ask around at radiator shops.

JB Weld never works on this kind of stuff.

About $24 for a comodore top hose $75 puts it on as well in Sydney.

You need a new radiator if you have trans fluid in the radiator. Getting trans fluid in the radiator isn't such a big deal...just change the radiator.....the worrisome parts is getting coolant in the transmission. The radiator has a transmission cooler built in and it is separated with a wall of aluminum - the coolant and trans sides should never mix.

First! You need to drain and remove the radiator and replace it with new fluid. If you got trans fluid in the radiator, it very likely means you got the inverse....coolant in the transmission. You also need to flush and drain the transmission. Also, you need to flush the transmission cooler lines out for any coolant. Coolant in the trans is often the death of a transmission.

Make sure you use the right fluid in the trans. That vehicle takes Mercon V fluid - don't put anything else in there or you will have problems potentially.

Technically, there is no fill cap on the radiator. To add coolant, open the overflow tank. It should be on the Passenger side fender, next to the windshield fluid tank.

The coolant tank is pressurized when the engine is hot. Be very careful removing the cap to the coolant overflow if the engine has been running, since the scalding hot coolant can burn you.

On a 1999 Sebring Convertible, they are at the bottom of the kicker panels on both sides of the car. There are about 4 on each side, but I found that the ones closest to the rear wheels are the ones that really need to be kept clean to avoid getting water on the inside of the car. If you run your finger along the inner side of the lowest part, you can feel them as raised sections that are slightly slanted.

None, antifreeze crystalizes the urine and slices the kidney tissues :)

Take the under tray off - 7 torx screws around the edge, you'll find it at the back of the sump roughly in the middle of the engine bay as you look up. Always use a new copper washer when refitting the plug.

It wont do any ham, if you are a clean ind tidy freak just wash is of wit a bit of water.

usually a screen frame to keep toddlers and clothing away from a hot radiator. For incandescent radiators, (such as electric and gas), 1 metre is a safe distance.

you need to get the engine checked

FYI - Auto Recall: 2002 KIA Sportage - Engine and Engine Cooling: Cooling System: Fan. Dealers will replace engine cooling fan with a fan made of improved material - recall began on June 11, 2007.

no

The smoke is most likely a leak in prestone. Is the antifreeze level going down? OR, if the smoke has stopped, then something blew on the a/c. and now there is no more freon.

There's always a partial vacuum formed in the radiator when the car cools,

Presumably your hose was weaker than normal.

The expansion tank retains coolant in a reservoir that's been forced out of the car's radiatior under pressure. As you run your car, the temprerature of the coolant circulating through the water jackets naturally increases causing increasing pressure in the cooling system. When the pressure builds to a high enough point, the radiatior cap allows that pressure to escape into the coolant reservoir through a small black rubber tube, called an overflow tube connected by the neck of the radiator to the expansion tank. Most of the coolant that is forced into the expansion tank returns to the radiator naturally after a few hours or when the engine is cold. If you had no expansion tank on your car, then the coolant that was released under pressure would spill out onto the road. It also helps by dissipating air bubles that have accumulated in the system. If you keep having to fill the expansion tank with large amounts of coolant every day, more than a cupfull, then there is likely a small leak somewhere else in the system. That could also be due to a faulty radiator cap (which you should always replace first before worrying youself stupid), a faulty radiator (blockage), water pump or hoses or in the worst case scenario-a blown head gasket or cracked block. If in doubt, have the radiator pressure tested at 15psi to determine where the leak is coming from, also have the radiator coolant tested with a special plastic tube contaning blue liquid that sticks in the radiator neck to measure whether exhaust gases are mixing with the coolant. It takes seconds to do and turns yellow if the result is positive leaving you with a very expensive repair for a new head gasket. If not, thank your lucky stars.

First remove the front rack by removing two bolts on the top of the bumper, two bolts on the fender, and two rearward bolts. Remove the hood and remove the radiator cap. Remove the seat and driver's side engine cover. Remove the left wheel floor board and then remove the plastic cover that is around the pull start. The water pump will be visible from here on. The drain bolt will be located just beneath a pipe coming from the radiator. Unscrew this bolt and out goes the engine coolant. After draining, screw back in the drain bolt and pour new coolant into the radiator.

The extra coolant will simply be pushed into the reservoir once the coolant heats up enough. It is also possible that (especially if there is already some fluid in the reservoir) that it will be pushed out of the reservoir unto the ground.

Radiator fluid (antifreeze) is toxic to animals (it tastes sweet and so animals may be attracted to it). Please clean up or spray down with plenty of water any coolant that leaks or pours on the ground.

If they are more than 5 years old I just cut them off and replace them. Hoses get old and brittle and if they let go on the road they can cost you an engine.

Am not sure if this is it. http://www.amazon.com/Flex-lite-280-Electric-Puller/dp/B000CNHFTE

It is an air operated clutch triggered by a solenoid. The ECM, A/C, and the solenoid control this. If one is faulty it will stay engaged.

the water in your radiator is rusty because your antifreeze/water ratio is not correct. Antifreeze serves two important functions: protecting the cooling system at temperature extremes and inhibiting rust and corrosion in the system. When your antifreeze/water ratio is not correct Rust and sediment can accumulate in the cooling system. This can eventually clog your cooling system mainly your radiator and cause your car to overheat, and more serious problems with the over heating. I would suggest flushing your system and adding the correct antifreeze/water ratio mixture. Doing this your self or having it done by proffessional.

The coolant drain on a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am is located on the bottom of the radiator on the right side. It allows coolant to be quickly removed during maintenance and flushes.

In the Taurus overheating problems is common. In mine I experience two problems. First it was the thermostat. I replaced it with a new one it's cheap. Then the motor of one of the fans burned out. I replaced it with a new one. You can get one at partstrain.com or car-stuff.com for about 95 dllrs. for 1996 to 2003 for the 1988 to 1995 is a little more, but it's worth it. I haven't had any more problems since. In the Taurus overheating problems is common. In mine I experience two problems. First it was the thermostat. I replaced it with a new one it's cheap. Then the motor of one of the fans burned out. I replaced it with a new one. You can get one at partstrain.com or car-stuff.com for about 95 dllrs. for 1996 to 2003 for the 1988 to 1995 is a little more, but it's worth it. I haven't had any more problems since.