Radiator leak

Tiny
ROBERT JR SUASIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 INFINITI M56
  • 5.6L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 146,000 MILES
A couple months ago I overheated my car and had everything fix. Fast forward to six months I have a radiator problem leaking only when I turn it on in the morning. I went to my mechanic and he fixed the hose but a week later it started leaking again, so I took it back to him and he said I could possible have a head gasket problem or a warped/crack head. I went to another mechanic to have a second opinion and he said to replace my radiator cap which I did. The next morning it leaked so I went back to him and he bleed the coolant system and told him that a couple months back I overheated my vehicle. He also checked my head gasket and It passed which I don’t have a problem with my head gasket. Next morning it leaked again, this leak only occurs in the mornings when it’s cold but in the afternoon I don’t get any leaks. It only leak on the radiator part not on the engine. What could be the problem with my car. Do I need a new radiator? Or do u have a gasket problem?
Saturday, January 25th, 2020 AT 6:09 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
94 TRANSAM
  • MECHANIC
  • 680 POSTS
I would check your overflow tank and make sure it's not full to the rim. Beyond that despite the fact that I know things are tight in there you are going to have to find out where the leak is coming from. You may have to start it in the morning and run it until it leaks and then start taking things apart until you can see where it's coming from.

Rich
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Saturday, January 25th, 2020 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
ROBERT JR SUASIN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
My mechanic has already topped off everything and while he was working on my car he saw a spot on my radiator that's always wet but when he pressurized it, it didn’t leak.
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Saturday, January 25th, 2020 AT 6:58 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
That is telling me there is a leak in the radiator or you have something else leak and it sprays onto the radiator. Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on? that would be great. You can upload it here with your response. This guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Monday, January 27th, 2020 AT 5:06 PM
Tiny
ROBERT JR SUASIN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
It’s at the shop right now. They want to inspect which area of the radiator is leaking. When I get it back and if it still leaks I will take a video of it and send it to this website. Thank you
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Monday, January 27th, 2020 AT 5:36 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Tuesday, January 28th, 2020 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
ROBERT JR SUASIN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
They said that I cracked the plastic part of the radiator and the radiator needs to be replaced.
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Tuesday, January 28th, 2020 AT 4:10 PM
Tiny
94 TRANSAM
  • MECHANIC
  • 680 POSTS
That is a very common issue since they started making the end tanks out of plastic. If you live in an area where the max temperature is around 90 or less you can put a 7 LB cap on the radiator and that will stop this from happening again.

Rich
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Tuesday, January 28th, 2020 AT 5:00 PM
Tiny
ROBERT JR SUASIN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
They said that it was the plastic part of the car that crack or shrink when cold, and they told me to replace the whole radiator.
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Tuesday, January 28th, 2020 AT 11:11 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Yep, this is common. here is a guide to help walk you through the repair with instruction in the diagrams below to show you how on your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-radiator

They have some pretty specific instruction on how to install the new radiator or it will leak. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

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Wednesday, January 29th, 2020 AT 9:07 AM
Tiny
ROBERT JR SUASIN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thank you for the diagram.
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Wednesday, January 29th, 2020 AT 10:39 AM
Tiny
ROBERT JR SUASIN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Quick update: my car is now fixed and it was the radiator leaking and I had it replaced.
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Tuesday, February 4th, 2020 AT 1:51 PM
Tiny
94 TRANSAM
  • MECHANIC
  • 680 POSTS
Glad you got it resolved. If you need anything else we are here.

Rich
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Tuesday, February 4th, 2020 AT 3:08 PM
Tiny
ROBERT JR SUASIN
  • MEMBER
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Thank you.
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Wednesday, February 5th, 2020 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.
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Thursday, February 6th, 2020 AT 10:17 AM

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