It is important to routinely check your vehicle for a radiator leak. A properly working radiator is essential to safe driving as the radiator prevents the engine from overheating. If the liquid cooling system of the vehicle is operating properly there is no problem, but if the radiator begins leaking, you could be looking at a costly repair if the trouble is not fixed quickly.
Inspecting the Radiator for Leakage
One of the first steps to take when examining the coolant system of the vehicle is to check for any leaking coolant. You should preform a routine inspection of the area where you most often park you car on a weekly basis. A coolant leak may be the first tip off that there is a problem with your radiator system. Check the area where you park your car, be it the ground or garage, for coolant that has leaked below the vehicle.
Even if you do not find coolant on the ground it is a good idea to occasionally check the coolant level inside the radiator by examining the reservoir or looking beneath the radiator cap. Be certain to allow your engine to cool off before you attempt to remove the radiator cap to avoid injury. Once you have the cap off you can check the level of the coolant. If the reservoir is dry or the coolant appears low, there is a good chance that your radiator is leaking.
Determining the Source of the Leak
The next step is to perform an inspection of the radiator itself to see if you can determine where the leak is coming from. Sometimes this will be very obvious as there will be a hole or tear that is plainly visible. Be certain to check the area for any orange or green stains as this is sign that coolant has been splashed. If there is no obvious hole or other damage it may be necessary to remove the car radiator from the vehicle in order to perform a more thorough inspection.
Once you have the radiator removed from the vehicle there is a simple test that you can perform to determine the source of the leak. A radiator pressure test kit can be used to fill the radiator with the required level of air. The proper level of air is usually indicated on the radiator cap. If this is not the case for your vehicle or if the measurements are difficult to read because of wear, refer to your owner’s manual under the section concerning fluid levels.
After you have filled the radiator with the required level of air, you can submerge the unit into a water tank. Look closely to see where the bubbles that are escaping are coming from. Once you have found the source of the escaping air bubbles you have located the area of the radiator that you must repair.
Simple Fixes for a Radiator Leak
If the hole or tear that you have located is small then there is a simple fix for the problem. The hole or tear is small if the air bubbles that escape in the water test are small and infrequent. If this is the case, then you can add a stop-leak additive into the radiator to patch the small leak. This fluid can be found at any automotive supply store.
For larger holes the fix is a little more complex but is still manageable. You will need to solder together the area that has burst if you have an older model vehicle. The soldering iron is effective at patching larger defects in radiators that are manufactured from brass or copper. Be certain that you have removed the radiator from the vehicle before you attempt to work with a soldering iron.
New model vehicles have radiators that are built mainly from aluminum. Using a strong epoxy is the best bet with these types of radiators. If you do apply an epoxy be certain to check it every few trips to make certain that it is holding and replace the patch every few months. You can then refill the coolant system with the proper cooling fluid after you have patched the leak.
To summarize:
- Inspect for a leak visually around the vehicle
- Check fluid levels and perform water test
- Patch leak once it has been identified
- Refill Vehicle with Coolant
Car maintenance is the best way to save on costly car repairs. Learning to repair your own vehicle is a frugal and empowering experience. Even the novice auto owner can try their hand at fixing a radiator leak.