I have a coolant leak in the radiator...

[SupaSonic15]

I few weeks back I took my 2015 LTZ in to the dealer for a water pump replacement, under warranty, and ever since then I kept smelling antifreeze when I would get out of the car. Not really loosing any and never leaving any drips on the pavement.

Then a few days ago BAM! A puddle under the front appeared. I got to looking with a flashlight and can see coolant seeping from the top left inside of the radiator. So I am going to replace the radiator now but everywhere I look, it says to remove the front bumper cover to do this job! Is this correct? Can't I just pull the cooling fans and get to it from the engine side? The turbo seems far enough away to give me access.

Any thoughts on this job? Any instructions would be cool too.
Thanks,
Ron

 

[Pirate Luke]

Hi there. Hopefully it's just a loose clamp or something, but removing the front bumper is actually super easy to do. Here are some helpful links:

Youtube video removing the chevy sonic bumper:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSpcAGofna0

Fellow SOF members thread with details on bumper removal:
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/do-yourself-articles/6024-front-bumper-removal.html

Good luck :banana:

 

[MaD]

Ya it's kinda scary the first time, but you'll understand what'd going on once you do it [emoji41] [emoji106]

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

 

[gnonne]

Front bumper is pretty straight-forward once you get it up in air and remove both front wheels. Fog lights make it a bit harder. About an hour the first time, I'd say. Be super-careful with the side-tabs after all the screws and bolts are removed.

If you do end up doing this, be sure to look here first:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...ocharged,3309720,cooling+system,radiator,2172

 

[UltimaSanctus]

The reason that you have to take the bumper off is because the intercooler is snapped in/bolted to the radiator. Can't really pull both of those up and out with the crash bar in the way so the bumper has to come off to take the IC off etc.

 

[Stew]

I replaced my radiator not too long ago and yeah, you'll need to take the bumper cover off, all the brackets off the core support and some other stuff and then you can BARELY pull the radiator out through the core support. It was the worst radiator replacement I can recall doing.
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for...like-help-confirming-source-coolant-leak.html

 

[sdgdf]

I'm reviving this thread. I have a coolant leak on the driver's side of my radiator, was wondering about replacing it? I have a '12 with the 1.4. Any issues with the turbo/intercooler getting in the way, and does the a/c condenser have to come out?

 

[SupaSonic15]

I took off the bumper cover, left side inner wheel well, and removed the intercooler (but just to clean it out) the condenser can stay in the car. It is worth it to take the intercooler off while your doing the radiator. it make things a lot easier and its right there anyway.
I took the inner wheel well out because I was replacing the window washer reservoir tank at the same time too. There are some awesome write-ups (with pics!) on the website detailing how to take off the bumper cover.
Good luck! its an easy job.

 

[SupaSonic15]

Now the new radiator leaks in the same spot!!!

So it has been almost 2 years since I replaced the stock radiator and now the new one is leaking, but in the exact same spot as the stock one did! I guess another radiator replacement is in my near future.

But I am left with a burning question: Why did this one fail so similarly to the last one? Is there some kind of flaw in the location, mounting, or cooling system pressure that is making them start leaking at the driver's-side top where the plastic tanks attach to the core? Should I be replacing something else at this point? There is nothing strange about the structure or location area where the radiator sits. It is not in a bind or "forced" into place. Also, all the stock isolators are installed.
It is still under warranty until 5/07/2020 so I have started a Return Defective Part process with Rock Auto where I purchased it and will be swapping it out next weekend.

I have read a lot of posts about the inlet tubes cracking and the T-stat housings leaking, but I haven't read anything about a radiator failing or developing a crack.

Any feedback is appreciated!
Thanks,
Ron

 

[SonicJG]

I’m literally about to buy a radiator too. I have to replace mine. I just bought my sonic a few months ago and it’s cracked and leaking in the same exact spot yours is. Driver’s side near the top close to where the plastic edging meets the aluminum on the radiator. Anybody got any tips for me on this swap? I’ve only done one other radiator swap in my life and that was years ago on like a mercury or something lol. But if anyone’s got anything to make this job easier for the kid feel free to fill me in!! Thanks!

 

[gnonne]

Bumper cover and other assorted parts must come off... Not hard, but takes some time.

Get a replacement at Rock Auto. They are the cheapest and the ones at the local parts stores are NOT any better quality.

 

[StickyToes]

I've had 2 radiators replaced in a 16 month span. Weak design? UGH.

 

[Maddmatts]

Is it the radiator end tank or the coolant temp sensor that's leaking? I worry that some are replacing the entire radiator over a simple o-ring on the sensor.

 

[SupaSonic15]

I replaced mine twice.

I did the OEM radiator about 2 years ago. I bought a nice replacement from RockAuto and it too started leaking in the exact same spot! Luckily for me it was under warranty so the replacement was free. When I did it the second time I specifically set out to see just what was making them fail in that spot. I looked for any binding or twisting, off-center mounting points, and even if there was a previous accident causing this. I found nothing! It sits there in its little happy place with plenty of wiggle room and secure as it can be. I have to believe it was just a coincident. If this one fails in the same spot I don't know what I'll do.

Anyway, The bumper cover does have to come off. It's only tricky when you free the plastic catches so take your time on that. Take the extra time and thoroughly degrease the intercooler while its out too. I also took the opportunity to swap out the stock gay little horn for a dual horn from a Jeep GC I had laying around. Sounds so much better.