I have with my 01 D2 with 93k. I am dripping coolant from either my radiator or a coolant hose that connects directly to the radiator about halfway up on the passenger side. As you can see from the photos, my radiator has some fresh fluid on it and is at about the spot that the hose connects to. Check out these pictures at Flickr: ScottRowles' Photostream (the 2nd photo is the suspect hose...

So, do I need to replace the hose or the radiator? Or should I try to the hose first then move to the radiator if it doesn't stop... Or just F it and do both.

Your advice is golden...

 

it could be a radiator or it could be that lower hose with the spring clamp?
rent,or borrow a coolant system preasure tester and preasure test the system to 15psi to find the leak before spending money

 

Let's play you get a pressure test and see where it leaks then ask what is the best way to fix the issue.. Seriously, do not try to guess or allow someone on here guess for you based on a picture. or 20 pictures. Go get the pressure test done it will TELL you real clearly where the leak is coming from. Then if you need help with the best way to resolve the issue there will be TONS of opinions thrown at you. Hell it might even grow into a full blown typing match over who's approach might be better with insults and everything. But until YOU do the second step on your own no one that is not with you can help you out. Oh and remember that the coolant system is hot and under pressure,soo if you are going to do the pressure test either do it with engine cold, or wait long enough so that the heat and pressure has dissapated.

 

at that year/mileage I would go ahead and get a new coolant hose kit and thermostat and flush the system....

 

X2 on the cold pressure test, makes it safer and easier to find the leak. Here is a map of the plumbing system. Also please note that every small hose and small hose nipple will be brittle, if not delicate you'll break them off just by looking at them. If replacing hoses, flushing coolant system, why not go one step more and replace stat with a 180F one? You'll want to be sure any work does not free up floating gunk to block these small holes in the stat. Get rid of any Dexcool, go green like 50/50 premixed Peak.

 

Also -
Check the plastic ends of the radiator.
Screws go into the plastic to hold on the fittings and
those can crack the radiator plastic and make a leak too.

 

Of course - one can of Barr's leaks and you can forget about the leaks for a time, until you get time.

I had a 1991 Rangie.
I botched putting in a new water pump as it was 35 degrees F out.
I put the gasket on the waterpump crumpled.

I put in antifreeze and it leaked out the edge of the waterpump as the gasket there was gone.

I put in two cans of Barr's leaks.
That leak was then sealed.

I drove the landrover 1,000 miles from Boston to NYC and back and then to Rochester and sold it to a buddy.

Barr's leaks - works.

In fact this was Spring of 2003.
I drove it to Boston in a Nor'Easterner.

Much like the one which is coming in a few days.

 

You guys are awesome. Thanks a ton. I will do a pressure test.

 

Stay away from any coolant stop leak that has ground up ceramics and or aluminum or any other metal, all they will do is plug up your t/stat, heater core and radiator.