What Causes a Radiator to Leak?
1 Answers
A radiator may leak due to the following issues: 1. The radiator cap is not tightly secured. 2. Inject air into the radiator to observe where water seeps out under pressure. 3. Unscrew the engine oil filler cap and check for signs of oil emulsification. If present, dismantle the engine and replace the cylinder head gasket. 4. The radiator has quality defects. Additional information: If the radiator hose ruptures and leaks due to vehicle vibration or an accident while driving, take the following measures based on the situation: 1. If the leak is a crack no larger than 1mm or a hole no larger than 2mm, add a bottle of radiator sealant to the radiator and start the engine. 2. After 5–10 minutes of opening the coolant for major circulation, any leaks in the cooling system—whether in the radiator, rubber hoses, or gaskets—will stop. The sealant does not need to be drained and will not affect heat dissipation or cause blockages. 3. If no sealant is available, for minor leaks in individual cooling tubes, temporarily place loose tobacco strands into the radiator. The water circulation pressure will cause the tobacco to block the leak in the cooling tube for temporary use. 4. For severe leaks in radiator cooling tubes, cut the leaking tube at the leak point, plug the cut end with a cotton ball coated in soap, then use pliers to flatten and crimp the cut end to stop the leak.
