Radiator Drip, Drip, Drip

I have a '76 L82 and about 3 months ago I noticed a couple of drips under the front drivers side.  It turned out to be antifreeze.  Being a very small drip I figured I get to it when I had the opportunity. Over time, the few drips have turned into more and more drips and now lthe leak is large enough to form a small puddle after driving and putting the car back in the garage.

Check the bottom of the WATER PUMP.   Mark

Start with the easiest to see, and replace.  Follow the hoses, check the water pump, etc.  If you don't find the problem, you pretty much have to move the shroud to see the radiator.  

Remove the top screws and lift the shroud out of the bottom clips.  Slide it as close to the engine as possible, and you can probably get enough room to see most of the radiator.  If the radiator is bad, leave the shroud where it is and lift the radiator out from behind it (after unbolting it, of course).

Good Luck
Larry

I just replaced my radiator last week on my 81. I took the fan off and unbolted the fan shroud and took it out. Took off the the 2 upper radiator clamps and the hoses then I lifted the radiator out.The whole job took 30 mins. I found out that I had a leak in the lower corner fins. Never would have seen it unless I took out the radiator.

actully I was the first to reply to Mcgee's post,  but the Gomn virus got it, it was posted  couple days ago, I replyed about 11:30-12:00 pm Monday I believe Ca. time, the virus put us in a time warp,anyway good posts guy's  anips2009-07-15 19:26:46

Thank you to everyone.  Looks like I have a weekend project.  I will let you know how it proceeds.

Hi Jim, if you didn't replace your radiator yet (or don't feel like replacing it) you might want to dump a bottle of radiator sealer in it. It's a $7 bottle of what looks like liquid silver & it really works. I sprung a leak in Mystic at the C3 gathering & it saved the trip. I too could not see the leak but it wasn't the hoses, water pump, etc. and it was making a nice size puddle. It worked like a charm!

Not good to use radiator stop leak. It will stop the leak at times, but it is also stopping up the holes in your radiator and restricting the circulation. Some of these cars already runs a pretty high temperature.

My car normally runs cool & even idling on the ferry line, she was just as cool as before the treatment. If your car runs hot, it may not work as well but you have to replace the radiator anyway, so you're only risking $6.

I have heard good and bad about radiator stop leak option.  For some it works fine and for others it has presented even more problems with flow in the radiator.  I will keep this in mind as I continue to search.  So far all hoses are good, no leaks detected at water pump seal.  I guess next step is to pull the fan shroud so I can see all the radiator.  Keep the suggestions coming.