# Radiator leak **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 30, 2009, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-leak/35851 "2009-08-30T22:50:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![scj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@scj](https://community.cartalk.com/u/scj)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-leak/35851/1 "2009-08-30T22:50:43Z")
I have a leak. It’s coming from where the upper hose is connected to the radiator. The hose is fine but there’s a 3" or so connection coming out from the radiator to which the upper hose connects. The best way I know how to describe it is that the leak is coming from the base of the connector. I hope that’s enough description. 93 mercury sable Any ideas on how to repair this. ---
**Author:** ![love-car-talk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@love-car-talk](https://community.cartalk.com/u/love-car-talk)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 10:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-leak/35851/2 "2009-08-30T22:56:32Z")
I would advise against stop leak. It’s a metal connector that is cracked? It is where the connector goes into the radiator? It is not welded? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 11:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-leak/35851/3 "2009-08-30T23:17:51Z")
When this happens, it’s time to replace the radiator if you want a permanent fix. Either a crack has developed in the plastic radiator tank neck for the hose, or the seal between the tank and core below the neck is leaking. Tester ---
**Author:** ![scj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@scj](https://community.cartalk.com/u/scj)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 11:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-leak/35851/4 "2009-08-30T23:24:44Z")
I would advise against stop leak. It’s a metal connector that is cracked? It is where the connector goes into the radiator? It is not welded? \*\*\*\*The connector itself is plastic and I don’t think there’s a weld. Either a crack has developed in the plastic radiator tank neck for the hose, or the seal between the tank and core below the neck is leaking. \*\*\*\*\* It’s definatley a crack in the plastic tank neck. It’s right at the base next to the radiator itself. You can pull up on the connector a bit and see the seperation. ---
**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:** [August 31, 2009, 2:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-leak/35851/5 "2009-08-31T02:40:02Z")
Best thing to do is replace the radiator before the joint completely fails. The side tank of the radiator in my Blazer developed a hairline crack that was working its way down the side of the tank. I replaced the radiator, hoses, thermostat, and radiator cap since it all had to come out anyway. Ed B. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 4:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-leak/35851/6 "2009-08-31T16:28:12Z")
You should just replace the radiator. That is the only long-term repair for this.