Coolant Leak
 

I replaced my expansion tank about a month ago, because it was leaking from the topmost hose connection.

Now I noticed a spot on the ground underneath the car, right under the radiator. It's a branch of the main radiator to thermostat hose, leaking from a connection to the radiator on the right side, near the bottom.

I guess my problem is, with the expansion tank, I first replaced the topmost hose, which did not fix the problem. If this leak is not solved by replacing the hose, what gets replaced next? The radiator!?!

Hopefully you can see the wet hose in this pic, near the radiator.

I guess another question is, with the expansion tank, there was no obvious reason for the leak (no crack or anything like that). Is there any other way to fix this without replacing the hose?

Hey Buzz! If I were you I would take the hoses back off looking to see if anything was causing it to not clamp down. replace the clamps with new. As you know its all made of some kind of plastics and can and does crack so maybe a pressure test might be in order as well. Good luck pal .......Jeff

Each one of those connections is sealed by an o-ring, which compress and leak over time... If it is just leaking from the connections you can maybe buy an o-ring assortment kit and find one to fit, otherwise you'll need to replace the leaking pieces.

Im in the same boat. I replaced the top hoses but is still leaked. Two days later it stopped. I think the problem is the trans cooler thermostat that its attached on to. That would be my next step if it happens again.