Coolant leak during cold temperatures. S3.

[Jimbo Bob]

It's reached -15C a couple of days ago and I noticed coolant on my garage floor near the left side front tire. 1983 Esprit S3. I'm pretty sure the correct antifreeze was used in the car so I'm wondering what's causing this. I've noticed it before. Is the cold weather affecting a hose or plastic part on the radiator?

[drdoom]

Are there plastic parts on the rad? Nothing of the sort on my S2. I'd focus on the hoses.

[rgh0]

I have seen it before in other cars where a rubber hose joins an alloy pipe. In cold weather the alloy pipe shrinks more than the steel clamp and the clamp loosens a little and leakage can occur

[CarBuff]

58 minutes ago, rgh0 said:

 In cold weather the alloy pipe shrinks more than the steel clamp and the clamp loosens a little and leakage can occur

I've seen the same effect. Blame myself for not tightening the jubilee clips.

 

Have at them on a colder day. My leak(s) were because I could tighten the clamps about 3/4 turns each.

[greentengu]

On 18/01/2024 at 12:00, drdoom said:

Are there plastic parts on the rad? Nothing of the sort on my S2. I'd focus on the hoses.

On a 1986 Federal HCi (Bosch injected turbo): When I removed the radiator to have it pressure tested then ultimr re-cored, there was a white plastic bleeder screw at the top. The radiator shop replaced it with a brass piece. But the OP has an '83, so theirs may be different.