Small Radiator Leak

Dino1956

Member
I started to notice my Coolant Resoivoir was low even after filling it. I saw no leaks on Floor or in Garage. Took a Flashlight and looked down with hood open & noticed coolant stuck along the plastic covering over the bottom front of my car. Took it to my Mechanic & he confirmed there is a small leak on bottom of Radiator. I'm bringing it to a Radiator shop tomorrow. They weld and fix Radiators, if they do not need to be replaced. My question is what do you guys think a fair price for them to do this type of repair should be ? I know I can get a new Radiator for like $150. But then the install Labor probably another $70. Forget Bars Leak. I'll never do that again. So what's a fair price to weld & solder I guess to patch it ? I'm not a Mechanic as you can tell. :) Thanks for all & any help. btw, Protege DX 2000 Auto 1.6
 
What happened when you used Bars leak previously?

I'd say $100 or less would be fair.
 
Kooldino said:
What happened when you used Bars leak previously?

I'd say $100 or less would be fair.
I don't know if it was caused by Bars Leak but it did not fix the leak and later down the road the heater core went on my Caddy. I'm not saying it caused it just assuming. Again, I'm not a Mechanic.
 
i would just put a new rad in. i was never a fan of "patching up" a problem. sounds like from what you descriped its the platic end tank that leaking. if thats the case then he would most likely be using that plastic jb weld stuff what you can buy for 5 dollars from most auto parts store
 
So what your saying is the bottom of the radiator is PLASTIC. Are you sure they use JB Weld ? I tried to use that stuff on my last Radiator with bad results. That sucks, that it is Plastic. I thought he could Weld & Solder the spot. I'm going to go tomorrow and see what he says. Thanks. Any other comments welcomed.
 
kudakev615 said:
i would just put a new rad in. i was never a fan of "patching up" a problem. sounds like from what you descriped its the platic end tank that leaking. if thats the case then he would most likely be using that plastic jb weld stuff what you can buy for 5 dollars from most auto parts store
I went to a so called Radiator specialist and they had my car hooked up to that pressure device and he said he could not find a leak. My mechanic already saw the leak & confirmed I do have one. I know there is a leak because there is fresh coolant on my splash gaurd. I don't even think the idiot bothered to look underneath the car. He said he did. When I got the car back to work and opened the hood, sure enough there was a fresh puddle of coolant. This is suppose to be a pro Radiator shop, mind you, that does nothing but Radiators & AC all day. These guys charge $75. per hour Labor. Needless to say I'm pissed off. Wasted 3 hours of my life. He knew better than to try & charge me anything for doing nothing. My mechanic told me to buy a Radiator on my own, as he would have to mark it up if I bought from him, and he said he'd charge me $100. for the install. What do you guys think of all this ?
 
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