Newbie here...

[Jo-Riley]

I'm a 56 lady with a 2001 Ford Ranger 2.5 2wd
In Northern MN...No family here so here goes.
I need step by step help for a few issues.
My radiator tubing is leaking...used 1 bottle k-seal 43 miles ago. Looks ok, but it's pretty hard to tell since I didn't wipe off the previous anti freeze.
I initially used j b weld but the spot was just a smudge, I thought was a crack.
I'm having a hard time adding pics of the leak.
JoRiley

 

[RobbieD]

Welcome.

Do try to post a pic of your leak, as it's a great help in assessing what is going on, and for getting advice on how to best repair it.

Stop-a-leak in a bottle isn't really a good repair.

 

[Jo-Riley]

It won't let me attach photo
It says denied permission?

Welcome.

Do try to post a pic of your leak, as it's a great help in assessing what is going on, and for getting advice on how to best repair it.

Stop-a-leak in a bottle isn't really a good repair.

 

[Jo-Riley]

Welcome.

Do try to post a pic of your leak, as it's a great help in assessing what is going on, and for getting advice on how to best repair it.

Stop-a-leak in a bottle isn't really a good repair.

 

[Jo-Riley]

Here are some pics

 

[RobbieD]

It's hard to see the actual leak point in pictures, but it appears to be the radiator itself that's leaking. It's likely the seal between the plastic side tank and the metal part of radiator; or it could be a crack in the plastic.

Newer design plastic-tank radiators are usually replaced rather than repaired. It's really not that hard of a job to replace it, provided that you have the few basic tools that are needed.

I was hoping that would it be something simpler to replace, like a hose. I just can't really tell for sure from the pics.

 

[Jo-Riley]

It's hard to see the actual leak point in pictures, but it appears to be the radiator itself that's leaking. It's likely the seal between the plastic side tank and the metal part of radiator; or it could be a crack in the plastic.

Newer design plastic-tank radiators are usually replaced rather than repaired. It's really not that hard of a job to replace it, provided that you have the few basic tools that are needed.

I was hoping that would it be something simpler to replace, like a hose. I just can't really tell for sure from the pics.

Hi. Honestly...I just had eye surgery so I couldn't see too well.
I can't find where the leak is...the mechanic I asked said he will need to charge me the hour for his time. So I left.
I'm really frustrated...I don't know where the leak is...I just saw the fluid. I know nothing about mechanic work.
Sorry but I don't know where to shoot a pic from.
I'm not sure I can afford to fix it.
Thank you.
I will need to figure this out. Have eye surgery on other eye that comes out of this check.
Thank you for you time.

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site.

 

[RobbieD]

You might try to call around to other repair garages and mechanics in your area to see if you can find one which will spend a few minutes to look at it without charging. Explain that you have a visible coolant leak at the radiator area, and you need an estimate to repair it. There's nothing wrong with telling them that you're on a limited budget, either.

The only other suggestion that I have that you can try, is to take a largish, regular screwdriver (with the flat tip, for "slotted" screws), and check that your hose clamps are tight. That's the silver band-looking thing in your second pic, that's around the big black rubber hose. There's a slot on the hex-screw that you can use a screwdriver on; turn it clock-wise for tightening. I have had loose hoses leak before, so it's worth checking and it's easy to do.

I wish you the best, with getting your truck fixed, and with your surgery.

 

[don4331]

Here are some pics

Can you get a picture from other side? Water flows downhill, there's no leak on side shown.

It is nice green.

 

[Josh B]

See if a school or Vo-Tech near there has an auto class that might be short of projects

 

[Jo-Riley]

You might try to call around to other repair garages and mechanics in your area to see if you can find one which will spend a few minutes to look at it without charging. Explain that you have a visible coolant leak at the radiator area, and you need an estimate to repair it. There's nothing wrong with telling them that you're on a limited budget, either.

The only other suggestion that I have that you can try, is to take a largish, regular screwdriver (with the flat tip, for "slotted" screws), and check that your hose clamps are tight. That's the silver band-looking thing in your second pic, that's around the big black rubber hose. There's a slot on the hex-screw that you can use a screwdriver on; turn it clock-wise for tightening. I have had loose hoses leak before, so it's worth checking and it's easy to do.

I wish you the best, with getting your truck fixed, and with your surgery.

Thank you for taking time to reply .
Yes I've spent 3 months budget in the past month for one eye ...tires and a few other items. I sat and spoke with someone after my reply to RobbieD.
It's scary when you have no absolute.
I'm going to call another shop tomorrow referred by a friend...but I will check or ask the neighbor to help check the hose clamps. Thank you. That would be absolutely a blessing if they are loose.
I'll check in here after the clamp check, etc.
Thank you so much!

You might try to call around to other repair garages and mechanics in your area to see if you can find one which will spend a few minutes to look at it without charging. Explain that you have a visible coolant leak at the radiator area, and you need an estimate to repair it. There's nothing wrong with telling them that you're on a limited budget, either.

The only other suggestion that I have that you can try, is to take a largish, regular screwdriver (with the flat tip, for "slotted" screws), and check that your hose clamps are tight. That's the silver band-looking thing in your second pic, that's around the big black rubber hose. There's a slot on the hex-screw that you can use a screwdriver on; turn it clock-wise for tightening. I have had loose hoses leak before, so it's worth checking and it's easy to do.

I wish you the best, with getting your truck fixed, and with your surgery.

Thank you Robbie.
I will ask my neighbor to help me check the hoses tomorrow. It would be a blessing if that is what it needs.
Thank you so much! I'm going to speak to another shop tomorrow referred by an old friend. First I'll check the clamps.
Lisa

 

[Jo-Riley]

I made an album
Leak
Not sure how to add it.
I hope you can access it
The pics are clearer

 

[Jo-Riley]

See if a school or Vo-Tech near there has an auto class that might be short of projects

Hi Josh. The vo-tech is 95 miles north in Duluth. I would need to have her towed? She could overheat? Today the temp gauge never budged...I bought a thermostat and that that would fix this problem.
Thank you I could call them as a back up

 

[Jo-Riley]

Welcome to the site.

Thank you!!!