Radiator leaking?

[VasFinest]

Ok so I have an 86 325 five speed, everything. Ok I have a leak coming from somewhere, I am having to refill my coolant pretty much everytime I drive. Is there anyway to find out where its leaking from without taking the whole damn car apart? Also what are my options for replacing it if it is the radiator? Can I just throw any 325 radiator in there in be done? How hard is it to put a radiator into a car? Clearly I'm pretty new to this, most I've done to a car is change the oil, and wheels, stuff like that. So any hep or info would be greatly appreciated.

[Adrian_Visser]

Ummm yeah you need to look on the ground and see where it is leaking from...

If there is no coolant leaking out of the engine or anywhere else then you need to pressure test the cooling system to see if your headgasket is leaking.

[VasFinest]

I've been under it, I can't tell exactly where its coming from, I'm relatively sure it is coming from the very front radiator area, how do I do a pressure test?

[Dude]

The coolant system has a lot of weak spots.

Try harder to find where its coming from. In my 86 eta the clearances between the lower rad hose and the PW belt pulley and also the fan blades on the alternator are very tight, ive replaced like 7 hoses on mine from the engine shifting while doing donuts and shit haha.

[VasFinest]

I will try to find the exact spot and then come back so I actually have enough info to get help. Thanks guys.

[lolcantturn]

the cooling system has a lot of weak spots but luckily it is VERY simple.
first, check where your coolant is leaking. The front of the engine? then its most likely one of all the hoses in there. Dripping from somewhere in the middle? it's the coolant hose going to the intake. Dripping from the side? expansion tank.
once you've narrowed that down, it's just a process of figuring out which hose it is.
It's not hard removing the radiator. Fussing around with all the hoses may be daunting at first but it's no big deal.
Always remember: Everytime coolant exits your system, air enters. You need to bleed your system everytime this happens.

If it's your headgasket, you'll most likely know. Take out your dipstick. Is it brown looking, like a chocolate milkshake? When you open your expansion tank cap, is there air bubbling up? Excessive white smoke coming from the exhaust?

[lolcantturn]

Also it wouldn't hurt to change all the hoses. Old hoses soften up= leaks. a coolant system failure is one of the first things to go wrong in an E30 so having it all up to date will save you down the road.

[VasFinest]

Dipstick looks like a normal dipstick, regular oil. Expansion tank, no bubbling. Excessive white smoke? I dont think so, but its winter and the exhaust seems to put out a good amount, however, I personally wouldn't consider it excessive.

[davem]

I've had a leaky radiator in my previous car (not e30). They need to be replaced after a while and can develop leaks. You should make sure it's the rad before you buy a new one though.