Hey everyone!

I have an 03 montero sport LS, 3.0L V6. The OEM radiator has a plastic-plastic joint between the body of the radiator and the outlet elbow, which the return hose to the engine fits onto. The plastic elbow is attached to the plastic body of the radiator with 4 bolts. I'm seeing a massive coolant leak at this joint, so I'm planning to replace the whole radiator (including that plastic elbow) with a new one. I've read that these 4 bolts can come from the factory loose, and without any threadlock on them. I've called the manufacturer and distributor for these radiators, and the local dealerships looking for a torque spec, but no luck yet.

Have any of you experienced this leak before, and if so, did you use a certain torque spec and/or threadlocker to keep things snug? I'd hate to crack my new radiator, or install it just to get the same leak.

Do you think using a bead of red loctite liquid gasket on that mating surface is a bad idea?

Thanks,
Will