# Leaky Radiator or something else?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/leaky-radiator-or-something-else/2713>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [August 6, 2007, 11:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/leaky-radiator-or-something-else/2713 "2007-08-06T23:24:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Sunako](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/sunako/32/235_2.png) [@Sunako](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sunako)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2007, 11:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/leaky-radiator-or-something-else/2713/1 "2007-08-06T23:24:33Z")

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I have a 1990 Jeep Cherokee Laredo. I recently posted a thing about my car overheating. Well, I replaced the belt problem that was part of it.  
  
  
  
 The people at the garage that I took it to said that I also had a leaky radiator. But they put sealant and new fluid in it.  
  
  
  
 Now, here’s the problem (besides the leaky thing) If I drive it when its cool outside, or if I am going 30-45 MPH its fine, but when I am idle, it starts to get REALLY hot! It also heats up quickly if I drive for more than 15 minutes.  
  
  
  
 Now, about the leak, I haven’t seen any puddles, and I haven’t noticed a smell. I’m not too sure on where the plug thing is to check the fluids (I only know where the overflow tank is), so I can’t tell if its full or not.  
  
  
  
 any tips? Please, I am hoping that I don’t have to shell out the 300 bucks to get the radiator replaced!

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2007, 11:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/leaky-radiator-or-something-else/2713/2 "2007-08-06T23:30:19Z")

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Frankly it sounds like you need a new radiator. I don’t think much of those leak fixes. They can cause a problem (like your overheating) just as easily as fixing a leak.

I suggest finding a local independent radiator shop. They are likely to do better work and charge less, in the long run.

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**Author:** ![Greg\_Rawlings](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ec9cab/32.png) [@Greg\_Rawlings](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Greg_Rawlings)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2007, 12:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/leaky-radiator-or-something-else/2713/3 "2007-08-07T00:35:40Z")

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Two fairly cheap things to check are 1) is the radiator clogged on the outside and 2) the thermostat. Had a truck that overheated at idle and it turned out that there was a bunch of trash clogging the outside of the radiator and it had to have road speed wind moving through to cool. You can back wash it with a garden hose to blow the trash out. Sometimes thermostats go all at once and sometimes to do funcky things as they are going bad. They cost $10 with a new gasket and are easy to change. There is a way to check but since they are so cheap, you may as well replace since you already have it apart.

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**Author:** ![Sunako](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/sunako/32/235_2.png) [@Sunako](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sunako)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2007, 2:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/leaky-radiator-or-something-else/2713/4 "2007-08-07T02:20:48Z")

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I am thinking that I should go to this garage that my friend goes to and get an engine diagnostic… That way I can see for sure what it is before I spend all of my money (what little there is…).