# Pressure check to find coolant leak

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/pressure-check-to-find-coolant-leak/191274>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** rav4, toyota\
**Created:** [June 24, 2023, 4:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pressure-check-to-find-coolant-leak/191274 "2023-06-24T04:09:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![cdb\_star95030\_185741](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@cdb\_star95030\_185741](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cdb_star95030_185741)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 4:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pressure-check-to-find-coolant-leak/191274/1 "2023-06-24T04:09:39Z")

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Any advice when picking a mechanic for a coolant leak issue? My regular repair pro did the diagnostic but can’t do the job…too busy, booked thru July. Thanks to anyone who responds. Your recommendations are appreciated.

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**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 1:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pressure-check-to-find-coolant-leak/191274/2 "2023-06-24T13:04:06Z")

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Most good shops are currently that way, not a good time to need major work done.

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 1:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pressure-check-to-find-coolant-leak/191274/3 "2023-06-24T13:20:14Z")

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The same way you found this shop. Google, Yelp, friends, co-workers.

A pressure test is pretty easy to do and repairs mostly simple ones. Doesn’t take a PhD to do it.

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**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 4:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pressure-check-to-find-coolant-leak/191274/4 "2023-06-24T16:13:02Z")

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He did diagnostic? For free? And won’t tell you where leak is? If you paid him then he better tell you.

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**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 6:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pressure-check-to-find-coolant-leak/191274/5 "2023-06-24T18:53:10Z")

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I ask a napa dealer for a reccomendation.

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2023, 9:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/pressure-check-to-find-coolant-leak/191274/6 "2023-06-24T21:21:36Z")

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About all you can do shop-selection-wise is ask your friends, coworkers, fellow church-goers etc who own similar cars which shop they use. Other than in an emergency, suggest to never use an untried shop without some sort of personal recommendation. I’ve used my inde local auto parts store staff for ideas where to go for specialty work, like fuel system work on ancient carburetors, re-coring ancient copper radiator, but not for the sort of general purpose work you need.

If all else fails this is something which is usually fairly easy to do as a diy’er job. You’d need to buy a cooling system pressure test kit though.

> **[Radiator Pressure Tester Kit](https://www.harborfreight.com/radiator-pressure-tester-kit-63862.html)**
>
> Amazing deals on this Radiator Pressure Tester Kit at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.