What to Do If the Plastic Cover on the Upper Part of the Radiator Is Leaking?
2 Answers
Check if the radiator cap is securely fastened; try pumping air into the radiator to see from which position the water leaks under pressure, then decide on a repair plan. Unscrew the engine oil filler cap to check for any signs of oil emulsification. If present, disassemble the engine and replace the cylinder head gasket. Open the cooling water to start a large circulation. In the cooling system, whether it's the radiator, rubber hoses, or various gaskets, any leaks will stop, and the system should not be drained after the leak stops.
A few days ago, my car also had a coolant leak. At first, I thought the radiator cap was loose, so after parking and letting it cool down, I tried tightening it, and sure enough, the leak stopped. If tightening doesn’t work, it’s likely that the cap is old and cracked or the sealing gasket is damaged. You can just buy a new cap from an auto parts store and replace it—it’ll only cost a few dozen bucks. When doing this, make sure the engine isn’t too hot, or the coolant might spray out and cause burns. Also, check if the coolant level is too low, but don’t overfill it, as it might not handle the pressure. It’s a good habit to quickly check the radiator’s condition before driving daily to catch issues early and avoid breakdowns on the road, which can seriously affect driving safety. During regular maintenance, ask the mechanic to inspect the sealing rings—replacing these small parts isn’t expensive.
