"Clicking" noise from top radiator hose followed by leak...

[hobyboy2000]

Hi there. Noob to this forum, but I have done several searches, and can't find the same symptoms as what we are having, hence the post. I purchased a 1996 Legacy LSi from a friend of a friend. No problems known at the time of purchase. I took the vehicle in for an oil change, as I always do on new vehicles, and when I pulled in, popped the hood, it was reported that it was "raining" coolant...and there was a 'clicking' noise coming from the top radiator hose.

After the oil change, including all fluids checked and refilled if necessary, I was worried about the vehicle, and called a friend who works on all of his vehicles, including Subs he has owned. We looked at it for about 20 minutes, and couldn't find anything wrong right away. As we were about ready to close everything up, we noticed steam coming up from around the radiator, got underneath, and determined that there was a leak, but were unable to determine exactly where from. We decided to order a new radiator and replace it this weekend.

Before replacing the radiator this weekend, I decided that I would just verify that we were, indeed, leaking. Ran the vehicle for about thirty minutes, and nothing. It was dry as could be. About this time I was but also because it wasn't leaking.

 

So I decided to return the hoses, and other items purchased, but keep the radiator in the event we would need it. Today, I drove for about 20 minutes, parked for 60 minutes, drove for another 20-30 (highway speeds), parked for 75 minutes, drove for another 20-30 minutes (highway speeds), opened the engine compartment to finish the replacing of the washer fluid pump, and the clicking noise started, followed by some coolant leaking. By this point, I'm absolutely :-\ .

I looked in the overflow tank, and it was pretty low. I added some water to it, and a bit more coolant leaked out, and that was it. I now can't get it to reproduce the same symptoms. So the question is this...two ideas have been thrown around.

1) The radiator, or radiator hoses, have some leaks in them, so replace the entire unit just to be safe (and keep it easy).

2) The water pump has a leak in it.

 

Since I'm new to repairing vehicles, and to diagnosing these things, and since I can't seem to find anyone else who has had a "clicking" noise from the top radiator hose, I thought I would ask you all for some ideas.

 

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

[davebugs]

Never heard "clicking".

 

Ask about last timing balt and if Water Pump was done then.

 

And figure out how long you're likely to keep the car.

 

 

A new timing belt, idlers, WP, OEM thermostat(since you'r ehaving issues) new rad hoses and rad should replace virtually everything that could be causing a problem.

[Fairtax4me]

Is it clicking close to the radiator or close to the engine?

There could be a flap of rubber inside the hose getting knocked around by air bubbles. Or it could jut be the sound of lots of air rushing through the hose.

Have your friend do a block test to check for exhaust gases in the coolant. And go get those new radiator hoses back.

 

If it passes the block test, put a new thermostat in it (Use the part number mentioned in the sticky thread at the top of the forum page), and put those new hoses on.

[hobyboy2000]

Thanks for the replies...

 

The timing belt was done about 30K ago. I will look to see about the water pump, I'm not 100% certain, but I believe either the water pump or the thermostat was replaced.

 

We are hoping to keep the car until it is "dead" but don't want to dump a TON of money in right away.

 

Fairtax4me, if it doesn't pass the block test, I'm assuming that means that it could be a radiator and a head gasket issue? What happens if we just replace the radiator, the hoses and the thermostat? Should I still have the block test done?

 

Thanks for the replies!

[Fairtax4me]

I should ask, because I assumed the LSi had a 2.5, but now I'm thinking... 96 would have had the more reliable 2.2, which engine is in that car?

 

If it's the 2.2 then just fix the leak, it's probably just a loose hose, but the plastic ends on the radiators can crack and only leak when the engine is up to operating temp.

 

If it's the 2.5 do that block test. The DOHC 2.5 likes to eat head gaskets and they leak combustion gases into the cooling system. This will cause higher than normal pressure in the cooling system to push coolant out wherever it can escape.

[hobyboy2000]

All the websites I have been on only give me the option for a 2.5, however, under the hood, it shows a 2.2L, I do believe. I'll have to confirm tomorrow though.

[Ricearu]

I just bought my wife a 96 LSi and it is definitely a 2.5. dont trust the hood, if it's 2.2 it will most likely have single overhead cams (one cam per head) if it's an original 2.5, it will be dual over head cams (two cams per head) with the spark plugs down the CENTER of the valve cover. If it's a 2.5, do the block test like others have said, and if it fails, you will have to do the head gaskets and might as well replace the water pump, thermostat(dealer or stant XACTSTAT only, "OEM quality" chain store labeling is a lie), and hoses. Once you change the head gaskets, you won't want to ever have to do them again so be preventative and replace the stuff that is likely to fail and make it overheat again