How to check if I need to replace a radiotor?

[bolido2000]

My car today overheating gauge hit the red zone so I went to my local mechanic to check what's up. He pops the hood and I see that the coolant overfill reservoir is empty (there is dried coolant around the reservoir, so it has been spilling out I guess). He then proceeds to tell me that I need to replace the whole radiator because is constricted and that will cost $400!! I ask him if the overheating will go away if I just add coolant to the reservoir and he says that no, the coolant would just spill out or something and the car will keep overheating.

I've been coming to this mechanic for the past 3 years and he has been pretty honest so far, but is he giving me the run around? His business is not doing very good and he has laid off all his staff. Can he determine that the radiator needs replacement without doing any tests?

 

[angry hampster]

It's certainly possible, though highly unlikely on a newer camry with only 90k miles. $400 isn't a terrible price

 

[geno]

Fill it back up and see if it leaks out again. If it is, it's either your radiator or a hose. Keep an eye on your tailpipe and make sure you don't see any abnormal amounts of white smoke. If you're not burning coolant and it's not staying contained in the system, there's a leak somewhere along the line. It's pretty easy to see if he's full of shit or not just by doing a little of your own monitoring and testing.

 

[bolido2000]

I just filled up the reservoir with coolant and the car stills over. It does seem that there is some kind of internal leak as the coolant in the reservoir seems to be going down but I dont see any coolant on my garage floor. Does anyone else also think $400 is an OK price?

 

[BUTCH1]

quote "I just filled up the reservoir with coolant and the car stills over"..huh? You can check for yourself, with the car cool, remove the radiator cap and look at the fins inside. If they have a heavy "plaque' like coating it may be time for a new radiator. You can change it yourself at much less, prob around $145-175 including a new thermostat.

 

[The Stigenator]

headgasket leak?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Sounds like the thermostat is malfunctioning. It's a $10-$15 part and should be very easy to replace, at 90k it should be replaced anyway just for good measure.

I would replace the thermostat and test again, and when you refill with coolant you will have to fill it, run it, cool it, fill it. You will likely have to top it off several times, becaue once you boil out the coolant it has to burp a few times during refilling as all the cavities in the block refill with coolant.

Also check to make sure the radiator fan is coming on when the engine gets up to operating temp if its and electrical fan(most are these days). If it's not coming on then it maybe the temp sensor thats screwed into the waterpump that sends the signal to turn the fan on, or the fan itself could be bad.

 

[RFtesla]

Bollocks to that price. I replaced the radiator, hoses, water pump, belts, themostat housing, and the thermostat in my bmw for about 320.

 

[StageLeft]

I agree with geno. Fill it up. If it's emptied out, after you fill it may start to empty very quickly at first as it refills the radiator, so fill it up and let the car idle to operating temperature. Run the throttle up high briefly revving it, let it run a couple more mintues. Top it up, do it again.

Eventually ou'll have an idea as to how quickly it's leaking. it will leak again, but it's probably just a leak in a line somewhere. Saying that a lowered reservoir requires a new radiator without finding the source of the leak is premature.

BTW, while you fill the radiator you can also top it up directly under the radiator cap at first, but you won't need to do that more than the one time. DO NOT open that radiator cap when the car is hot; it's pressurized and you'll get scalding water shot at you.