Radiator leak?
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
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Radiator leak?
My radiator fluid has been leaking slowly, but no puddle on the barn floor or driveway. The dealer tells me that there is a leak in the side of the radiator and oh by the way 'you need new hoses, too.' How do I tell if new hoses will fix the problem or do I need a new $500 radiator?
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Joined: Dec 2004
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I would think if you had a leak in the side of the radiator you would be able to hear it hissing when you shut off your truck. If the hoses have been on for quite awhile it would be good to replace them if you had to drain the system anyways to replace the radiator. They're like the fan belt. Better to replace before it breaks and leaves you stranded.
When I was loosing coolant very slowly I couldn't find any leaks anywhere. I finally decided to replace the radiator cap since it hadn't been changed for many years. It's been over 6 months now and haven't lost a drop of coolant. Must of been slowly leaking into the overflow tank so I would never see anything leaking externally but the level would slowly drop in the radiator.
Clint
When I was loosing coolant very slowly I couldn't find any leaks anywhere. I finally decided to replace the radiator cap since it hadn't been changed for many years. It's been over 6 months now and haven't lost a drop of coolant. Must of been slowly leaking into the overflow tank so I would never see anything leaking externally but the level would slowly drop in the radiator.
Clint
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Joined: Dec 2004
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Yeah wouldn't it be nice if most dealerships and mechanics would actually spend some time to find the problem instead of just replacing parts just because it could be the problem.
Could be your cap if it's green around it. It's a cheap part to replace just to see.
Could be your cap if it's green around it. It's a cheap part to replace just to see.
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I went back to the dealer and checked it with a flashlight. The hoses are leaking a little and the backside of the radiator was green. It does look pretty old. I'm sure that is the original radiator. I brought up the deal about the cap and they said the leak was lower on the back side. So I ok'd a new radiator, hoses, belts and shocks. Ouch!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
I had a new core put in mine by a local radiator shop for under 300 dollars last July.
While it is out getting recored you can swap all the hoses and belts.
While it is out getting recored you can swap all the hoses and belts.
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It was going to be just over $300 to remove and repair the leaks, so I opted for the new radiator at $580 plus new hoses. I keep telling myself it would have been a lot more on the old Audi I was dumb enough to own at one time.
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