Question: I know there are a lot of reasons the computer can throw a CEL, but could a small leak in a Radiator cause this ? Thanks in advance.

 

it might, depending on how much pressure your system is losing because of the hole. the water expands as it heats and the sensornear the thermostat detects that pressure. if you lose too much pressure shortly after start-up, it could trigger the CEL

 

thanks. it came after i starting driving about a mile. i hope that's it. i have to get a new radiator. is it common for protoge radiators to go. have 95,000 miles on it. 2002 dx 1.6 auto.

 

i have a 2002 pro5 with 95k on it and i haven't had to put a radiator in it (knock on wood) but i have heard of other cars having similar problems to this one. i'm not sure what all of the factors are for radiators' life expectancy but i've heard of them coming apart at lower mileage than that. (not on mazdas)

 

So your saying for a Mazda my Radiator broke prematurely ? Correct ?

 

most protege rad leaks i see are just along the seal on the lower tank. re-crimping the rad seal has always worked in these situations

 

mmt,

That is where it apears my Radiator is leaking from. Please explain Crimping procedure if you could. If I got this done by a Radiator shop, about how much would it cost ? Please Read my previous thread below about my experience just last week.

"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. Said it's located bottom center of Radiator. 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 all along the splash guard.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, so there was no charge. 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. I found a radiator at readiators express online but I'm leary about ordering online. I want the right fit. What do you guys think of all this ?"

 

wsoape231,

Do you know what codes would come up for a radiator leak ?

Thanks.

Dino1956