Coolant leak - Driver's Side

[NMPastor]

View attachment 225857 2001 GMC Yukon XL SLT 1500 4WD

I've got a coolant leak on the driver's side. It appears to be coming from a small tube on the back side of the radiator. The tube points down.

Is there anywhere I can get a good set of images of the radiator so I can figure out what this is?

Thanks

 

[Rocket Man]

Google images? The only small tubes on the driver side I believe are the oil cooler lines. It’s probably the radiator itself leaking and then running down to where you see it dripping. Nothing like getting down there and investigating.

 

[NMPastor]

Google images? The only small tubes on the driver side I believe are the oil cooler lines. It’s probably the radiator itself leaking and then running down to where you see it dripping. Nothing like getting down there and investigating.

Now that things have dried out, it appears to me that what I thought was a 'shiny tube' was actually just wet plastic. My guess is that the radiator is just cracked on that side. [sigh]

I'll need to pull the upper cowl and let it run for a while to see where it's coming from. That's another Saturday I didn't have to spare.

 

[Rocket Man]

Now that things have dried out, it appears to me that what I thought was a 'shiny tube' was actually just wet plastic. My guess is that the radiator is just cracked on that side. [sigh]

I'll need to pull the upper cowl and let it run for a while to see where it's coming from. That's another Saturday I didn't have to spare.

That “upper cowl” takes 5 minutes to pull off, it’s just held on with plastic clips. Pull the centers up and the clips come right off. The radiator R&R, that’s not so easy since there’s probably trans cooler lines running to it on the passenger side and possibly engine oil cooler lines on the driver side.

 

[NMPastor]

Yeah...it's not a simple process. For a DIY guy, probably almost a whole day.

 

[Erickk120]

Yeah, if those clips are the same that connect to the tranny, oh boy they can get akward if its your first time, in those angles you cant see what you are doing.

 

[Rocket Man]

Yeah, if those clips are the same that connect to the tranny, oh boy they can get akward if its your first time, in those angles you cant see what you are doing.

They’re the same. I just buy the replacement Dorman assortment set at the auto parts store so I don’t have to worry about losing them, then use a mini hook tool to remove the clips. Install the replacements into the fitting first before reinstalling, and then just push the hose into the fitting until it clicks. Pull on it to be sure it’s hooked up.

 

[NMPastor]

I've got a set of those multi-sized release tools. Clip it on on the pipe, slide it in, and it's supposed to release. Slide it in...he said. It will release...he said.

They work on the fuel lines to the injector rack, anyway. Of course, the fuel lines are out in the open.

 

[Rocket Man]

I've got a set of those multi-sized release tools. Clip it on on the pipe, slide it in, and it's supposed to release. Slide it in...he said. It will release...he said.

They work on the fuel lines to the injector rack, anyway. Of course, the fuel lines are out in the open.

Not the same clips as the fuel lines, don’t think that tool will work.

 

[Fless]

If you do end up replacing the radiator, be sure to get one with the proper restrictor for the hose that goes to the surge tank. No restrictor means your engine may not warm up.