2002 Camry LE, 4 Cylinder. My radiator leaks 1-2 drops per second. I’m not exactly sure about the leak position, but it seems to be somewhere between the plastic tank and the metal radiator core, and it’s not likely the pipe, cap, or pipe connections. Please refer to the photos. I’m trying to find a…

[image] bobby_yan: Is it helpful to remove the metal cover above the radiator and check for the exact leak point before moving forward? Yes it is.

[image] bobby_yan: I’m trying to find a fix which can last at least 3-5 years. You’ll never rest unless you replace the radiator. It’s an entirely expectable repair in a car this old. I know, my 1999 Honda is on its 3rd radiator. Luckily I found a bottom leak last summer before it failed cata…

There is a rubber seal between the core and the tanks, and rubber eventually rots away and starts leaking. The rubber gasket can be replaced, but it is likely to be more expensive than just getting a replacement radiator. Lots of labor involved in replacing just one gasket, and the other is still …

If original you’re lucky it lasted 20+ years. Based on personal experience with my own and friend/family Japanese cars, ~15 years is when this happens. It’s a rite of passage. Japanese cars of yore are remarkably trouble free, until they aren’t. Aftermarket replacement should easily last 5 years…

My 30 years old Corolla radiator developed a leak around year 25. I considered a repair, but when I priced out replacement radiators the decision was very easy, replace, they’re very frugally priced. I paid around $90 for mine. Replacement very easy diy’er job on my car. Can’t speak to how dif…

[image] George_San_Jose1: Note: Make sure the radiator vendor knows your car’s configuration and how you use your car. For example automatic vs manual transmission might require different part. AC system characteristics as well. Likewise if you drive in very hot areas or tow anything. Good Gr…

Yeah I replaced a plastic tank once. It was $35 and the supplier gave it about a 50/50 chance of success. Gotta remove the radiator, bend the tabs to remove the tank, then bend them back again and hope no leaks. That was before new radiators were selling for $100. Now, just replace it unless you…

Radiator replacement remains one of the easiest/low risk DIY replacement options so it makes no sense to use pepper, eggs, oatmeal or Stop Leak which only postpone the inevitable. . The radiators, hoses. clamps, theromostats, caps and fluid are all relatively inexpensive and UTube videos are easily…

[image] George_San_Jose1: Did you have any overheating incidents in the past few years? If so, that could be the cause of the leak. If there’s been an overheating incident, good idea as part of job to ask shop to test the head gasket or at least look for bubble formation in coolant when briefly …

Radiator Leak Fix

Maintenance/Repairs

oldtimer-11 February 24, 2023, 8:27am 5

Stop leak used to work pretty well on copper core/copper tank radiators but not so much on aluminum/plastic. Radiators have become so cheap that nobody around me has been re-coring them.

Topic		Replies	Views
Time for a new radiator? Maintenance/Repairs toyota , camry	12	1233	February 28, 2017
Radiator Tank Gasket Can Escape? Maintenance/Repairs	9	1254	April 13, 2020
Radiator leaks Maintenance/Repairs	10	1025	April 25, 2008
Radiator leak Maintenance/Repairs	6	891	June 21, 2009
Radiator Repair Kits Maintenance/Repairs repair , radiators	8	963	March 25, 2009

Radiator Leak Fix

Related topics