We've been having unusual patterns of very cold (for us) and dry weather here in the Pacific NW lately.   On the cold (25 deg or lower) mornings, my '02 Dakota (4.7L V-8) leaks a little coolant -- starts dripping just a minute or two after I start it up.  On warmer mornings (above freezing) there is no leakage.  It appears to be coming from the radiator or vicinity, but there is a giant shroud under there so I can't tell for sure.  I plan to take the shroud off tonight to see if I can diagnose it better, but just wanted to ask on here to see if anyone has any ideas first.  I'm hoping it's something simple, like the radiator draincock.  Last summer I drained the radiator and I noticed the operation of that draincock was not very positive - had to fiddle with it quite a bit to first open it and then get it closed and tight.  Maybe the cold weather is exacerbating the problem? 

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 Well...it's a DODGE....whaddya expect? 

Just kiddin.....it's most likely a hose the is contracting when extremely cold. Try tightening the clamps on the hoses while it's warmed up. Same thing on the Corvettes...if they sit for a while, the hoses can contract, and leak a wee bit when first started, but once warmed a little, they're fine.


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

I had that same thing happen on my Cadillac once.  I drove from San Diego to Flagstaff to seem my daughter over Christmas.  Came out of the hotel and had a puddle of green under the car.  

Thanks guys!  Joel, definitely hope you're right about it being a hose.  Based on the leak evidence it could pretty much only be the lower hose and the connection at the radiator was a little loose.   I took the big shroud off so now I can see up from underneath but it still wasn't obvious where it was leaking.  We'll see tomorrow - if it's cold again.  

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