Radiator Leak?

jaxflrocknroll · Apr 26th, 2004, 03:35 PM

I brought my car (1989 Sentra 2 door) to have new headlight switch today since I had no luck getting the steering wheel off to do it my self. Thanks for the information about that. Anyway, when I picked up the car they told me the radiator fluid was very low when they did checked and topped off all the fluids. They said to bring it back in if I notice the fluid gets low again fast or if i notice fluid that leaked on the ground under the car in the next few days.

Could this be caused by something simple, easy, and and in-expenpensive to fix? Could they be trying to pull a fast one? I don't have any money to spare since I am without a job and just graduated college. The Job search has been tough and it seems like every place wants people with years of experience. I put todays repair on credit along with the new headlight switch I bought this weekend. I have have enough debt (student loans and credit card) and no income but I need the car to go on interviews and then to get to work once I get a job.

jer28 · Apr 26th, 2004, 04:01 PM

Yes it could be very easy. It would be best to try to see if you could borrow a pressure tester to test your system for leaks though. That way you can inspect all hoses, clamps for signs of leaks. If not then check all the hoses lower, upper, fast idle going to tb, heater core hoses. If you see that a hose has some dried up white residue around the clamp then it was leaking at one time, and could have been the reason for the loss of coolant. However, the leak could be sealed by now (like mine). Check out the water pump (it should have weep holes on it which the coolant would come out of if the pump is bad). The water pump runs off the accessory belts so look in that direction. Other than that just leave a large piece of cardboard down under the car and just wait. Check out your oil condition (even though they should have) and make sure the oil has no coolant in it.It does sound like the place is being honest by not just saying you need a water pump or some crap like that. Good luck

B11sleeper · Apr 26th, 2004, 05:06 PM

how low is the coolant in the radiator? I keep being dumb an filling mine up too full. you only need enough liquid to just cover the the top of the core. then put the proper amount in the overflow tank, and keep an eye on the level in the overflow tank. I've been having good luck with that radiator stop leak stuff in small amounts for fixing tiny leaks that would be too annoying to get at.