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Radiator leak

Tiny
PDIRKSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 127,500 MILES
There is a small leak at the top of the radiator -- water indicator in dash is normal. Do I need to replace immediately or can I drive in mountain conditions for another 140 miles
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 AT 10:19 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
JOE C.
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
I wouldn't. If you need one, why take the chance. Too costly if it blows the engine, the head gasket, or cracks a head from overheating. Just replace it and be done with it . If cost is an issue I would use aftermarket instead of the dealer. To get even lower price you can use a junk yard radiator. I've never gotten a bad one from a junk yard but you can always pressure test it yourself or take it somewhere to be pressure tested before installing it.

Here is a guide to help you replace it with the instruction for your car in the diagrams below.

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Friday, October 23rd, 2009 AT 2:20 AM
Tiny
JCORT1006
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 219,100 MILES
It looks like I have a leak on my radiator after I accidentally hit my car pulling from the curb. It did make a noise when it happened. It is leaking a yellowish fluid and I think it is leaking the coolant. I am afraid my mechanic will tell me the radiator is broken on the bottom and will have to replace. Is it possible to make a small fix before I spend a lot of money? What do you recommend? Thanks.
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
Do not do anything until you have a proper diagnosis. This could be as simple as a rusted hose clamp. If the radiator is damaged, do not waste your money trying to repair it. The cooling system gets up to fifteen pounds of pressure, and patches do not hold up to that. What if that patch lets go on a Saturday night, out in the country, when it is 30 degrees below, and you are on a hot date? The disappointment will be over-shadowed by the potential expensive damage that could occur to the engine.
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JCORT1006
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
How soon do I have to get a diagnostic? Am I not able to drive the car? Is it safe to drive it by just adding water to the radiator?
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
How long after feeling chest pains can you wait before having your heart checked? I cannot answer any of those questions. How much do you want to risk engine damage? How fast is it leaking? Is it cold enough where you are that water will freeze? If it is, just take the car to the junkyard and do not waste any money on it. The engine block can be cracked if the water in it freezes.

If the coolant level gets low enough, the engine will overheat from lack of circulation. That can easily result in a warped cylinder head and a leaking head gasket. The first symptom will be cold air from the heater. You are risking turning an inexpensive problem into an expensive one. That is not a chance I would take with my car or those of my customers.
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KMH71
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 15,000 MILES
I had shut my car off, and then 5 min later turned it on, and it made a loud banging noise from under the car. As I drove it home, only 3 blocks, the temp gauge went past the red line. I got to my house, and I was leaking something bad under the car. My dad checked the oil it was fine. Then he ran water down the radiator, and it was just pouring out from underneath. He was not able to see where it was leaking from. Any suggestions?
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVEW84
  • MECHANIC
  • 673 POSTS
Replace radiator and thermostat first. After air is bled from coolant make sure everything is ok. If not, then repost.
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ADOGG
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
My car uses the red toyota coolant so it was easy to notice the problem. There is a red crusty residue all along the top of the radiator and the reservoir never has any fluid in it. Also I am having to put in fluid just about every other day now.
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
HI there,

The radiator will have to be removed and inspected by a radiator specialist, unfortunately often the top plate in the core is cracked and this is not repairable and a new core or radiator is required.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 1993 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
1993 Toyota Camry mileage: 135,000. My radiator was corroded and leaking. A new radiator has been fitted. I have now been told that the head gasket needs to be replaced because there is a major oil leak. This did not exist when I took it into the garage. Is this something that can happen when a new radiator has been fitted? I am now expected to pay a much higher repair bill. Is it likely that the garage could be negligent?
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
Replacing the radiator would not cause the head gasket to fail. What probably occurred is the head gasket was close to or failing before the radiator was replaced? The old leaking radiator probably caused the engine to over heat.
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MADDOGG13
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 1992 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 220,000 MILES
My cars fans wont turn off and there drianing the battery. Checks radiator levels, checked for leaks they work normally whrn care is on they even turn off but once I turn off and take the key out they turn on. I was told it might be a relay or sensor any thoughts help thanks.
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Inspect and test the fan relay-sounds like its sticking closed
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MADDOGG13
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Which relay exactly is it would you happen to have a picture or a description thanks in advance
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
You're looking for the fan relay no.1 which is located in the J/B left side of engine compartment-sorry no pic available
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)

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