Leaking Radiator, replace or any way to fix?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 59
Likes: 5
Leaking Radiator, replace or any way to fix? Hi everyone,
I noticed some weird idling the other day (cooling fans were going crazy) at a stop light and looked down to see my temp was elevated. As soon as I started driving the temps went back down but I knew something wasn't right. I got home and checked the coolant and the dip stick was dry. I waited until the car cooled down and popped the radiator cap and there was no liquid inside. Admittedly I haven't checked my fluid in a while and so was just hoping it was due to my negligence but after refilling and driving the past couple of days it once again was near dry (I had overfilled by accident and the bit of leaking I was seeing under the car was wishful thinking that it was just the overflow).
So my question is barring a cracked coolant line or a crack in the fill tube do people recommend repairing (if even possible) or just buy a replacement?
Thanks.
I noticed some weird idling the other day (cooling fans were going crazy) at a stop light and looked down to see my temp was elevated. As soon as I started driving the temps went back down but I knew something wasn't right. I got home and checked the coolant and the dip stick was dry. I waited until the car cooled down and popped the radiator cap and there was no liquid inside. Admittedly I haven't checked my fluid in a while and so was just hoping it was due to my negligence but after refilling and driving the past couple of days it once again was near dry (I had overfilled by accident and the bit of leaking I was seeing under the car was wishful thinking that it was just the overflow).
So my question is barring a cracked coolant line or a crack in the fill tube do people recommend repairing (if even possible) or just buy a replacement?
Thanks.
If it's leaking from the aluminum you can use JB Quick to repair it on the cheap. If it's leaking from the plastic tanks you will want to replace it. Even if the repair holds it means the plastic is brittle and it will just fail again somewhere else in short order and most likely sometime that is very inconvenient for you.
I would just go ahead and replace it. I found a brand new radiator deal at advanced auto after an online rebate for $95. Just shop around, deals are always to be had with stock radiators. The only thing I would say is be very careful installing the new radiator and watch for the overfill tube. Don't crack it off of a brand new radiator. I did before because I was getting frustrated with getting the old one out and I was going to fast putting the new one in and the overfill tube on the neck got snapped. Thankfully I traded that 3.8L car in a few months later. lol
