Radiator leak - replace?

[jpless]

Installing my tranny cooler, I put a hole in the condenser. Got the new condenser today and putting in the new one, I bent the fins slightly on the radiator. There is a very small leak, squirting out the smallest stream when the engine is on.

Do I now need to replace this too? I used some high heat sealant putty to try and plug it but typically you have to apply it dry and since it's leaking, I can't really get it dry and the putty got saturated pretty quickly.

Man do I feel stupid causing similar damage to another part when trying to fix the damage I caused to the condenser!

I was going to have the shop put it in but I figured 8 screws wasnt worth the labor $ but once again, I've proved myself wrong. I think i'm going to really have to stop trying to do things myself for a while. Trying to save money keeps ending up costing me so much more!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Installing my tranny cooler, I put a hole in the condenser. Got the new condenser today and putting in the new one, I bent the fins slightly on the radiator. There is a very small leak, squirting out the smallest stream when the engine is on.

Do I now need to replace this too? I used some high heat sealant putty to try and plug it but typically you have to apply it dry and since it's leaking, I can't really get it dry and the putty got saturated pretty quickly.

Man do I feel stupid causing similar damage to another part when trying to fix the damage I caused to the condenser!

I was going to have the shop put it in but I figured 8 screws wasnt worth the labor $ but once again, I've proved myself wrong. I think i'm going to really have to stop trying to do things myself for a while. Trying to save money keeps ending up costing me so much more!

OMG! How awful, I feel for ya That just sucks...

On an '06 I'd remove the radiator (or in your case:lmao: drive it) to a radiator repair shop and let them fix it. There's no reason for the stealer to do it. DON'T put in stop leak. A radiator shop can repair it with no loss of capacity or loss of reliability.

 

[810moto]

i agree, find a local shop that handles on that and let them do it. I had to replace the rad on my mazda a while back and the stealer wanted to charge me almost 800 but there was a local shop here in Long beach that did it for 200 and was done by the time i walked 6 blocks back to work.

 

[jpless]

The putty stuff looked just like the stop-leak putty they had at AdvanceAP. I bought the bar's liquid aluminum stop leak and put that in (on recommendation from an ex-mechanic friend). Filled it up like the stop-leak directions said and drove it around for 15 minutes. Watched it for 5 min after parking and no leak. Engine temp didn't seem abnormal or anything.

I think I may have avoided this. Chris, why did you suggest against stop-leak? It is now in my system so just wondering what the cons are so I can look out.

Here's what I used:
Bar's Liquid Aluminum Radiator Stop Leak

So, I made sure to re-install the condenser prior to using the stop-leak (I removed it to put the putty on). That way I wouldn't have to worry about nicking it AGAIN after using the stop-leak.

She's all set and ready for Meineke to evac and fill my condenser. Should I mention this to them or might it open them up for claiming unnecessary work is required?

 

[morphius909]

Those Rad solution fixes/puttys whatever they are temporary fixes at best.

God knows I've used my share on numerous vehicles with no permenant luck.

Like others have said, get a shop to fix the fins.

Man I feel for ya. I've broken my share of stuff trying to "save' money on projects (none on the 4runner yet ).

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Those Rad solution fixes/puttys whatever they are temporary fixes at best.

God knows I've used my share on numerous vehicles with no permenant luck.

Like others have said, get a shop to fix the fins.

Man I feel for ya. I've broken my share of stuff trying to "save' money on projects (none on the 4runner yet ).

:iagree: 100%


I am against radiator sealer for the reasons Morpius said combined with human nature. In six-months it's too tempting to put in more and then you risk gumming up the heater control valve etc. You have a nice 2006 4Runner. Don't let it strand you or having you be a nervous wreck every time your loved one drives it :girl: Will it leak that day, overheat and blow the engine? You're out on summer vacation and the stop-leak lets go. Blah blah blah...

Take 2-4weeks to catch your financial breath but take it to a radiator shop. Also Dexcool is not Toyota anti-freeze. I'd get two gallons and take them to the radiator shop with you.

 

[jpless]

thanks for the advice guys. I'll definitely get it replaced when I can and have a shop do all the work this time. It's going to take a little while as my girl and i decided to drop the roomate. He agreed to pay this month so I could fix my condenser as it is.

I put the advance auto 50/50 antifreeze in there. I figure I'll have them flush the system when they install the new one so thanks for the tip on taking it with me.

Actually, I think my next service has it included. I go to the stealership for them because I got a package with the t4r that gets me half of major servicings so it's not that bad.

At least I'll have my a/c back tomorrow, they'll be fixing it while I watch usa vs england!