Leaking Radiator Pipes

The radiator is located at the front of the engine, behind the grille.

The radiator is part of a car's cooling system and is integral to keeping your car running. If your radiator is not working, or is leaking, the car's engine will overheat, causing it to stop working. It also could leave lasting damage to components of the engine.

There are several elements to fixing a car radiator once a leak has been discovered. The most important is finding the leak. If the leak is in a pipe, you are better off replacing the pipe than patching it up.

Things You'll Need

• Large jug of water
• Screwdriver
• New pipes

Instructions

1. Park your car so the engine can be accessed easily and leave the engine to cool down completely.

2. Locate the radiator. This will be at the front of the engine, just behind the grille and fan.

3. Pour the jug of water into the radiator and watch underneath for leaks.

4. Remove the clips attaching the old, leaking pipe to the radiator and the rest of the coolant system using a screwdriver. The connection on the radiator will be obvious. To find the other end, follow the pipe.

5. Replace the old pipe with the new one and pour more water into the radiator to check if it is secure and to see if there are any more leaks.

6. Refill the coolant system with a mixture of water and antifreeze and replace the radiator cap.

References

• AA1Car: How To Find & Fix Coolant Leaks