Standard cost of patching up? Though it's not a major leak, I just want to have it fixed, car has been with me for more than 2 years and I didn't have to bother topping it up with coolant, it just showed during the previous WOF . Is this going to be a patch or total replacement? There are OTC coolant products that swears by fixing it, do they really work?
Thanks
sw20,
Sep 16, 9:50am
How long are you going to keep the car? If you are flicking it in the next couple of months. Cheapest fix possible. If you are keeping it, just get the rad replaced.
supernova2,
Sep 16, 9:59am
It will depend on where its leaking. Modern rads are pretty much a throw away maintenance item. Did 1 last week where the labour to remove and replace was more than the price of a brand new unit. No point in trying to repair the old one.
maxi090605,
Sep 16, 10:34am
Was quoted before to patch around $400. Not sure if this is reasonable, but a coolant cost $15. Do you think I should just go for the coolant? Will keep the car for another year, but it could be a deal breaker when listed if the rad has leaks?
ycart3,
Sep 16, 10:37am
ever heard of sealwel?
kazbanz,
Sep 16, 10:42am
+ It would be helpful knowing the Make model and year. Think about this the other way round. Can you afford the result of the radiator giving up the ghost whilst you are driving the car? Normal end result would be cooked engine. Unless your car was some fancy beast then $400 is the cost of a replacement rad fitted OR if it is fancy a replacement set of tanks which realistically isn't "patching it" but is replacing the failed/about to fail parts.
marte,
Sep 16, 10:52am
With not having a ------- clue what sort of car or model it is, or what's actually wrong with the radiator. This is about as far as it gets.
REPLACE THE RADIATOR ! or fix it properly. --This aint no $1000 sh### er
franc123,
Sep 16, 2:03pm
Eek don't run the risk of possibly overheating one of those! Fix it properly.
regy_2005,
Sep 16, 3:01pm
Bit of. Chewy gum over it and flick it off
kazbanz,
Sep 16, 3:41pm
Exactly my thought. -Spend $400 on a rad or $4000 plus on engine rebuild
itsafamilything,
Sep 16, 3:42pm
How do you know it is the radiator that is leaking? Coolant seen in the vicinity of the radiator may not mean it is the radiator itself.
maxi090605,
Sep 16, 4:11pm
The mechanic had this fireman looking water hose that was plugged in the rad then pumped water, showed me there's water spritz, but I reckon it was noticeable because of the pressure.
tony9,
Sep 16, 4:26pm
Modern radiators are aluminium which is bit tricky to repair without skills and gear.
Old copper and brass ones were easy and practicable to fix.
kazbanz,
Sep 16, 4:33pm
Given its coming from the top of the rad area Top tank is cracked What the mechanic has done is simulated the affect of the water heating up in there. Rad will empty through the crack and you will blow a head gasket as a minimum. As an emergency /get you home fix ive smeared 2 pot epoxy resin into/onto a crack but it was a temp fix with zero promise of longevity. The fix is a replacement top tank.
kazbanz,
Sep 16, 4:34pm
Nahh--I bet its the plastic top tank
kazbanz,
Sep 16, 4:38pm
Actually I would suggest OP you are asking totally the wrong question. The RIGHT question is " What will be the cost if I DON'T get my radiator fixed?" As an aside. You will save money by dealing direct with the radiator shop
tweake,
Sep 16, 5:52pm
if its cracked plastic top tank, then its new radiator time. not worth trying to replace just the top.
maxi090605,
Sep 16, 7:03pm
No, the spritz came from middle or bottom, the mechanic didn't point that exact location, prolly thinking I would do a DIY instead of letting him do the work, lol
cattleshed,
Sep 16, 7:59pm
I am not convinced you know which part of the radiator is at fault. Regardless, if the radiator is the issue take it to a radiator specialist. They will assess it and tell you on the spot what the cost will be. If the work is too difficult for you take the vehicle to a garage.
spead,
Sep 16, 8:15pm
wouldnt it be sensible to take it to a couple of service agents and get a quote?
kazbanz,
Nov 18, 11:17pm
ref to post 19. Can you afford a cooked engine ?
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