ATF leak at new radiator. Noticed brass fitting on radiator was loose, twice

Gents

after swapping my radiator I noticed I was leaking ATF and after some troubleshooting I I added a new clamp and when it was still leaking, I checked the brass fitting and saw it could be tightened rather easily. This stopped the leak. After about a week or so I noticed the leak again. So I just tightened it up with a wrench. Should this be torqued and could it be leaking again because it wasn't tight enough? Is there a torque spec for this?


Added a pic to show which fitting has the leak

 

There should be a sealant on there such as gasoila and torqued. As for how tight, don’t overdo it. Plastic housing will crack if too much force is used.

 

Thanks bud! I am going to call Duralast this week and ask. Any idea what sealant should go around these fittings?

 

i use gasoila for any oil or fuel connections. Works well and you don’t have to worry about Teflon pieces coming off and contaminating the fluid.

 

If they are the kind that are built into the radiator they should be sealed at the factory and not leak, if they are the kind you have to thread in when you get the radiator some of those have O-Rings that go in them to prevent leaking.

 

I use loctight 545 with great success

 

My guess is they come with the radiator. The FSM mentions nothing of those adapter bushings on the radiator tanks.

 

Looking at the picture that's what I'm thinking too, if that's the case you have a defective radiator and need to get it warrantied.

 

The parts breakdown does not show that bushing as a separate part either

https://parts.sunrisetoyota.com/a/T..._7171717/Radiators/maintenance_Radiators.html

https://parts.sunrisetoyota.com/a/T...6725963/OIL-COOLER--TUBE-ATM/674470-3514.html

 

It’s an aftermarket radiator