Small Leak In Radiator
 

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 thereis 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

RE: Small Leak In Radiator
 

if i were you, i would go ahead and get a new radiator. the labor on the repair is going to be fairly similar to the cost of a new radiator and installation. then you will have a new one instead of one that has just been patchworked together. if this leak came up, how far along will it be before another one comes up. i know they probably warrant their work, but warranties only cover the area that has been fixed and not the rest of the radiator. that is just my advice on what i would do.

RE: Small Leak In Radiator
 

Hey thanks for the reply. Other people have made the same suggestion. Do you know if the bottom of the radiator is plastic or metal ? Thanks.

RE: Small Leak In Radiator
 

all of the ones that i have seen were metal and they sat in either a metal or PVC tray where they meet up with the car. now, i'm fairly new to the import scene so i can't vouch for it too much but i'm pretty sure

RE: Small Leak In Radiator
 

I hope your right. I don't want to replace the entire Radiator for just one small leak. I don't have the $ right now. I'm on my way to the shop now to find out. Thanks. I'll let you know how it turned out.

RE: Small Leak In Radiator
 

If it is the original factory radiator then the bottom and top tanks are plastic. Take a look at your top tank. If it is plastic then so is the bottom one. Most aftermarket are metal tanks.

RE: Small Leak In Radiator
 

so I guess it's plastic then and it cannot be repaired. 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 ?