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Aluminum Radiator Leak?

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Martinld123

Martinld123

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What could make a radiator leak one day then not the next time I start up the car three months later? Three months ago just be before we left on a trip I noticed about half cup of Antifreeze under the radiator and could see wet area on fins starting near the top and dripping off the bottom. I just went out yesterday in 30 degree F temps to look for leak after I got car up to 170 degrees. No leak. Is it just my lucky day or what, lol? Thanks Marty
 
Michael Oritt said:
Martin--

Go here: https://www.allpar.com/forums/threads/a-radiator-that-leaked-then-didnt.159264/

If it is a possibility for it to happen on other cars it is a probability that it will happen on a Healey.
Click to expand...

Thanks for help. I did some detective work talking with a radiator shop. He said that aluminum heats at a different uniform rate so if you run a car for shorter period of time you may not get a leak because not all of radiator gets up to the same temperature. I think he said copper dissipates heat at faster rate than aluminum but aluminum's advantage is it is much lighter. So will be taking in for repairs. Marty
 
Martin
Sounds like there is a small physical rupture n the radiator that closes after it warms up ?
 
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