Had head gaskets replaced two years ago. Went to Seattle, and discovered leak at rear of motor onto the ground. Replace radiator (new), no leaks for a month. Used air conditioner on hot day. small leak returns. So, within a year , I have replaced leaking coolant reservoir. and leaking thermo heater gasket. The temp gauge never gets past midway. Fan comes on only rarely at short bursts. Even less since new radiator. Why ?????? Why ??????? Why ??????? yes, I know I should do a pressure test. I'm suspecting head gasket failure. But why would it leak so much before a new radiator installed, and not so much afterward. Do I need Leonard Nimoy or Robert Stack to solve these mysteries???

 

The thermometer in the dash is a useless misleading adorn. Worse than an idiot light.

 

I would suggest the first thing to do is invest $70 here ----> UltraGauge OBDII Scan tool & Information Center

As soon as you are reading real time temps and codes, you are closer to finding out what is going on.

 

I would understand a head gasket leak, but intermittantly ? And more so when a/c is on ?
The next thing that should be replaced, I think, is the a/c condenser unit. Both fans check out. Hoses check out. If in doubt. Throw money at it , I guess.

 

Or, you could keep throwing parts at it blindly...

 

you had a leak in the back of the engine so you replaced the radiator in the front of the engine. yes you should pressure test it.

Are you confusing coolant with condensate?

 

You sure this is coolant and not from the A/C evaporator and coming out the drain holes onto the ground?

When the A/C is on, water forms on the condenser and then drips out to the ground.

May mix with a little antifreeze that is blowing around off of a small small leak.

That's why it is worse with the A/C on.

I would pop in a can of Barr's leaks. That will fix it well and it is not destructive.
I ran Barr's leaks in my 1997 Discovery for years after I did the heads.

I always had little leaks on hoses and here and there.

Your leaks probably only happen at cool down in the garage - in the first 1/2 hour.

So, you need to put down cardboard.

That will show the drip spots.

Crawl under there after about 45 minutes in the garage and look for the drips.

 

The AC drains come out the firewall behind the engine

 

No leaking when a/c is not running. Is the a/c condenser part of the radiator and cooling system thereof?? It could be condensate onto the ground, I should have inspected it closer. I am losing very little coolant, if at all. Prior to radiator replacement, about a quart be leaked onto ground in two weeks time.