Im not really sure if its my radiotor, but something in my cooling system is leaking steam, when driving. I was wondering, if I keep it full of water, if it could further damage my care to drive it short distances (5-10 miles) a couple times a day.
2006-11-14 08:41:17 · 21 answers · asked by bdb4269 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
No. You need to maintain pressure in your cooling system or the water won't circulate right.
2006-11-14 09:35:48 · answer #1 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bars leak and other such additives are not good for your cooling system, they clog internal passages requiring expensive repairs later down the line. Do yourself a favor, keep your engine topped up on water and keep an eye on the temperature gauge. If it starts getting past the 3/4th mark, put on your a/c for just a couple of seconds to turn the radiator fan on and then put your heat on full blast. The heater core is connected to your cooling system and acts as a second radiator, and the fan going helps cool it even more. With winter coming up, get this addressed ASAP because temperatures can drop below freezing at a moments notice, causing EVEN MORE costly repairs if the water freezes. Overheating the engine can crack the block, warp the cylinder head, and cause all kinds of financial nightmares.
You have a few choices - Clog up your radiator passages now for a couple bucks, spend on another car sooner than later
Replace the radiator sooner than later - keep the car functioning for awhile longer
Don't do anything and end up replacing the car anyway.
2006-11-14 16:50:19 · answer #2 · answered by sovereign_carrie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you stop before the temperature gets too high. You will crack the block of the motor and ruin it if you dont let it cool.
There is some stop leak at the auto parts store that looks like pepper. Pour it in and it will stop the small pin hole leaks. It works pretty good fot hat type of situation, although the best repair would be to have it soldered. If you see the temp starting to get hot, turn on your heater to the high position. This will help cool the water flowing through the engine. Its an old trick to get you a few more miles down the road.....
2006-11-14 16:43:24 · answer #3 · answered by Terry B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have your car towed to the nearest reputable mechanic. Do not pass "go" -- and do not collect $200.
If the leak is small, it's conceivable you could get away with driving short distances. But the risk isn't worth it. If the leak is anything past the "drip every few seconds or so" stage, you're running a serious risk of letting the radiator go dry. And even over short distances, this can lead to an engine melt-down in a New York minute.
Cough up the dough to get your radiator fixed. If you don't, you'll be coughing up much more dough in the near future for a new engine -- or for a new car.
2006-11-14 16:52:48 · answer #4 · answered by Georgia Fella 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It could be the hoses, the water pump, the engine block, the freeze plugs or the radiator/heater cores. See if you can spot the steam coming out from any place in particular. Hoses are easy and cheap to replace. Radiators are expensive but easy to replace. Anything else is expensive plus tough to deal with.
Keep the radiator cap off so it doesn't pressurize. Refill it before you drive the car. Keep a gallon of refill water with you in trunk. Don't go very far. Keep a cell phone with you to call for help.
Start asking around about repairs or a replacement car.
2006-11-14 16:46:15 · answer #5 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Back when I was poor my radiator leaked as well. I couldn't afford to replace it. A friend told me to buy a can of ground pepper, open the radiator cap and pour it all in. Then fill with water and reseal the cap. The ground pepper found its way to the leak and sealed it! Smells a little funny but it did work!
Also if you car starts to over heat... turn on the heat full blast... that will help cool down the engine!
2006-11-14 16:46:37 · answer #6 · answered by Dan J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't put anymore than one tube of bar leak in your radiator!!! Anymore plugs up the veins in the radiator and is not good on the engine. Any leak stop product is just a temporary fix, the crack will expand over time, pin holes will fill in and stay longer than a crack. But if you keep the coolant level up... Yes you can drive it,
Aluminum blocks and heads displace heat faster than the old cast iron blocks and heads.
2006-11-14 16:52:02 · answer #7 · answered by rdyjoe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can keep driving it as long as it does not get hot (not reccomened). Keep an eye on the temp guage. It needs to be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. a stop leak additive is not likely to fix a crack. Have it checked, it may be as simple as a loose hose clamp. if you keep running it low you will damage water pump (more costly). if it overheats to the point that the engine stalls, you are likely to have engine damage (too costly). An ounce of prevention.........
2006-11-14 16:51:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only briefly while sufficient water remains which won't be for
very long. You might try some stop leak which you can get at any
auto store for some time extent ion before repairing which you must do.
2006-11-14 16:45:43 · answer #9 · answered by royce r 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
there is metal looking repair putty to fix radiator leaks.
and hoses are easy to replace.
esp in this getting cooler should have anti freeze
or at least purified water ..so you dont rust things out.
you may be able to get both at 99c only stores..
many places wil be nice and say whats wrong at least if they can see it without tests ..fro free. thensave to get it repaired soon.
2006-11-14 16:47:55 · answer #10 · answered by homelessinorangecounty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋