How to Fix a Leaking Car Radiator?

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There are four solutions for a leaking car radiator: 1. Check whether the radiator cap is fully tightened. Try pumping air into the radiator and observe where the water leaks under pressure to determine an effective repair plan. You can also unscrew the engine oil filler cap to check for signs of oil emulsification (indicating cylinder head gasket or corrosion issues). If such signs are present, the engine needs to be disassembled to replace the cylinder head gasket. 2. Quality issues with the radiator itself. If the leak is a crack no larger than 1mm or a hole no larger than 2mm, you can add a bottle of radiator sealant to the radiator and start the engine. After opening the cooling system, let it circulate for 5 to 10 minutes. This will effectively stop leaks in the cooling system, whether in the radiator, rubber hoses, or gaskets. The sealant does not need to be drained afterward and will not affect the radiator's cooling performance or cause blockages. If you don’t have sealant, for minor leaks in small cooling tubes, you can temporarily place tobacco strands inside the radiator. The water circulation pressure will help the strands block the leak, providing a temporary fix. 3. For more severe leaks in the radiator tubes, you can cut off the leaking section, plug the cut end with a soap-coated cotton ball, and then use pliers to flatten and crimp the tube end to stop the leak. If the leak is at a rubber hose connection, use a screwdriver to wrap the hose clamp around the connection twice and tighten it with pliers. If the rubber hose is damaged, secure the cracked area with tape or replace the hose entirely. 4. When the radiator leaks, a common temporary solution is to use high-molecular adhesive for bonding. While this can provide a quick fix, the most permanent solution is welding. If the radiator is made of copper, you can use ultra-low-temperature M51 solder with M51-F active flux for welding, but note that this is suitable for welding extremely thin radiator tubes or roots.