# Coolant leak - drive to repair shop or call a tow truck **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** chevrolet, cobalt, coolant, leaks\ **Created:** [February 21, 2011, 11:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/coolant-leak-drive-to-repair-shop-or-call-a-tow-truck/61706 "2011-02-21T23:57:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![David27607](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@David27607](https://community.cartalk.com/u/David27607)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 11:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/coolant-leak-drive-to-repair-shop-or-call-a-tow-truck/61706/1 "2011-02-21T23:57:20Z")
I’ve got an '08 Cobalt. There is a large leak in my coolant system. The plastic reservoir is empty and if I add coolant and start the engine it all gushes out of a hole in a piece of plastic on the side of the radiator. Can I drive it to the shop if I watch the engine temperature or should I have it towed? Is the engine temperature measurement affected by the lack of coolant? ---
**Author:** ![jayhawkroy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayhawkroy/32/33_2.png) [@jayhawkroy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayhawkroy)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 12:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/coolant-leak-drive-to-repair-shop-or-call-a-tow-truck/61706/2 "2011-02-22T00:00:58Z")
If it is gushing at a high rate (you say “it all gushes out”), then a tow is in order. You didn’t tell us how far to the garage, either, which could make a difference. ---
**Author:** ![jimgray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e99b99/32.png) [@jimgray](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jimgray)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 12:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/coolant-leak-drive-to-repair-shop-or-call-a-tow-truck/61706/3 "2011-02-22T00:04:59Z")
if it were a very slow or minor leak you could probably get away with driving it a little ways. if as you state it is gushing then have it towed. do not take a chance and basically ruin a motor to the tune of a few thousand dollars in damage ---
**Author:** ![David27607](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@David27607](https://community.cartalk.com/u/David27607)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 12:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/coolant-leak-drive-to-repair-shop-or-call-a-tow-truck/61706/4 "2011-02-22T00:11:15Z")
To be more specific, when I say it gushed out, all of the coolant leaked out within \< 1 minute. The dealership is ~9 miles away. Closest shop is likely 3-4 miles away. ---
**Author:** ![waterboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/waterboy/32/764_2.png) [@waterboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/waterboy)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 12:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/coolant-leak-drive-to-repair-shop-or-call-a-tow-truck/61706/5 "2011-02-22T00:20:39Z")
Your best bet would be to spend the minimal cost for a tow compared to the cost for a trashed engine. ---
**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/coolant-leak-drive-to-repair-shop-or-call-a-tow-truck/61706/6 "2011-02-22T00:25:10Z")
If it Is under warranty, have it towed to the Dealer. If not, have it towed to your trusted mechanic. Don’t attempt to drive it, aluminum motors do not take overheating very well. Ed B. (2010 Cobalt owner) ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 5:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/coolant-leak-drive-to-repair-shop-or-call-a-tow-truck/61706/7 "2011-02-22T05:24:11Z")
Tow it. Once your coolant gushes out you temperature gauge won’t work.