What to Do When the Crown's Radiator is Leaking?
2 Answers
The solutions for a leaking radiator in a Crown are as follows: 1. When the leak is no more than a 1mm crack or a 2mm hole, add a bottle of radiator stop-leak agent to the radiator and start the engine. 2. After opening the coolant to initiate the large circulation for 5 to 10 minutes, any leaks in the cooling system, whether in the radiator, rubber hoses, or gaskets, will stop. There's no need to drain the stop-leak agent afterward, as it won't affect heat dissipation or cause blockages. 3. If no stop-leak agent is available, for minor leaks in individual radiator tubes, you can temporarily place loose tobacco strands into the radiator. The water circulation pressure will cause the tobacco strands to block the leaks in the radiator tubes, providing a temporary fix. 4. For more severe leaks in the radiator tubes, you can cut off the leaking section of the tube, plug the cut end with a cotton ball coated in soap, then use pliers to flatten and crimp the end of the cut tube to stop the leak.
I have quite some experience with radiator leaks, having driven for over a decade. The moment you spot an issue, you must pull over immediately to address it. There could be various causes, like loose radiator connections, aging cracks, or water pump failure. If you notice leakage while driving, find a safe spot to stop, turn off the engine, and wait for the temperature to drop before assessing the situation. It's best to use a flashlight to locate the leak point and add distilled water as an emergency measure if needed. But don't stubbornly drive to the repair shop—engine overheating could lead to cylinder damage, costing thousands in repairs. I recommend regular maintenance, changing the coolant every two years, and thoroughly inspecting the radiator and hose connections—prevention is better than repair costs. Replacing a new radiator only costs a few hundred to over a thousand, so don't delay until the engine is ruined. Oh, and if it's an old car leaking badly, you might need a full system inspection—don't trust those leak sealers; they're unreliable and might clog the pipes.
