# Radiator Leak **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [May 14, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-leak/72431 "2012-05-14T22:51:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tecman4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7feea3/32.png) [@tecman4](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tecman4)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-leak/72431/1 "2012-05-14T22:51:44Z")
We have a 2006 Dodge Caravan, the coolant was low, I refilled and noticed what looks like deposits from the coolant where it might have leaked out. It is on the radiator itself. Now the level is dropping again, I see a very small amount of it on the driveway Would the radiator need to be replaced? Can it be patched? Any idea how much that might cost? ---
**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 11:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-leak/72431/2 "2012-05-14T23:37:44Z")
It sounds as though you need a new radiator. Most radiators aren’t patched any more. Radiator shops used to replace the core and braze the old tank to the new core, but I don’t see it done much anymore. I think you are looking at several hundred dollars. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 6:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-leak/72431/3 "2012-05-15T06:33:49Z")
Some parts stores will loan you tools. The first thing I would recommend doing is pressure testing the cooling system to pinpoint exactly where it’s coming from before just assuming it’s a radiator. Might just be a bad hose. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 8:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-leak/72431/4 "2012-05-15T08:17:23Z")
First, pressure test the cooling system to see exactly were it’s leaking. Then, fix the leak…If it’s a plastic-tank radiator, you just buy a new one…