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repair
Why is my radiator leaking?
A radiator usually leaks because a part of the cooling system has worn out: a cracked plastic end tank, a corroded core, a loose or split hose or clamp, or a radiator cap that no longer seals. Old coolant and road debris can speed that up. Ace AutoFix covers radiator and cooling system repair on cars and gas or light-duty trucks at 320 Wilson Gulch Dr in Durango. We write findings first. We do not do diesel.
Need it looked at? Call (970) 317-2009 or Book appointment online. Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
What are the most common reasons a radiator leaks?
Most radiator leaks come from age and wear, not one bad day. Many radiators have plastic end tanks crimped onto a metal core, and that seam can crack or seep after years of heat cycles. The core itself can corrode from the inside when coolant is old. Hoses go soft or split, clamps loosen, and a radiator cap that no longer seals lets coolant push out when the system is hot.
Road debris can also puncture the core, since the radiator sits right behind the grille. Whatever the cause, the fix starts with finding the exact spot. Read more on our cooling system repair page.
How do I know the leak is coolant and not something else?
Look at the color and the smell. Coolant is often green, orange, pink, or yellow, and it smells sweet. Brown or black drips are more often oil, which has its own causes: Why is my car leaking oil? and our oil leak repair page. Clear water after running the A/C is often condensation, and A/C work lives on our A/C and heating page.
If the puddle is hard to read, slide a piece of cardboard under the front of the car overnight and bring it with you. It helps us see where the drip lands.
Is it safe to drive with a leaking radiator?
A slow leak is still a reason to book soon. Low coolant means the engine has less room to shed heat, and that shows up first on a long climb. Durango sits at about 6,512 feet, and US-550 north climbs over Coal Bank, Molas, and Red Mountain Pass. If the gauge climbs, pull over safely and shut the engine off.
Related reading: Why do cars overheat on US-550? and Should I check coolant before mountain driving from Durango?.
Next step: see our cooling system repair page for what Ace AutoFix checks and how the visit works.
Can the leak come from the water pump or heater core instead?
Yes. A water pump can drip coolant near the front of the engine, and a heater core leak can show up as a damp floor inside or a sweet smell in the cabin. Those are different parts with different fixes, so the first job is naming the right one. We cover water pump and timing work, and heater core work lives on our A/C and heating page.
Should I just keep topping off the coolant?
Topping off buys time, but it does not tell you why the level dropped. A bottle that keeps going low means coolant is leaving somewhere. If a warning light comes on along with the leak, read What does a check engine light mean in Durango?. Before winter, How do I winterize a car for Purgatory? covers the cold-weather side.
What does Ace AutoFix do for a radiator leak?
We look at the radiator, hoses, clamps, cap, and water pump, then write down what failed and what can wait before parts come off. Radiator and cooling system work sits inside our engine repair coverage. The price is labor and parts, with no supply, ordering, or disposal fees. We do not upsell.
That is on any brand of car and on gas or light-duty trucks. We do not do diesel. Ace AutoFix is locally owned at 320 Wilson Gulch Dr, Durango, CO 81301, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. More about the shop on our About Ace AutoFix page.
Book with Ace AutoFix
Call (970) 317-2009 or Book appointment online. Ace AutoFix is locally owned at 320 Wilson Gulch Dr, Durango, CO 81301, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Cars and gas or light-duty trucks. No diesel.
What should I do when I find a radiator leak?
- Park on level ground and let the engine cool before you open the hood. Never open a hot radiator cap.
- Note where the drip lands, what color it is, and whether the coolant bottle is below the mark.
- Watch the temperature gauge on short drives around town, and skip long grades until the car is looked at.
- Book online at aceautofix.com or call (970) 317-2009, then ask for written findings on the radiator, hoses, cap, and water pump before you approve work.
Questions people ask
Why is my radiator leaking?
A radiator usually leaks because a cooling system part has worn out. The common spots are a cracked plastic end tank, a corroded core, a loose or split hose or clamp, and a radiator cap that no longer seals. Old coolant and road debris can speed that up. Ace AutoFix covers radiator and cooling system repair on cars and gas or light-duty trucks at 320 Wilson Gulch Dr, Durango. We do not do diesel.
What color is a coolant leak?
Coolant is often green, orange, pink, or yellow, depending on the type in your vehicle. It feels slick and smells sweet. Brown or black drips are more often oil. Clear water that drips after running the A/C is often condensation. If you are not sure what you are looking at, bring the car in and we will look and write down what we find.
Can I drive with a leaking radiator?
A slow drip is still a reason to get it looked at soon, because a leak can turn into overheating on a long grade. Durango sits at about 6,512 feet, and US-550 north climbs over Coal Bank, Molas, and Red Mountain Pass. If the temperature gauge climbs, pull over safely and shut the engine off. Get the leak found before a mountain drive.
Is a radiator leak the same as a water pump leak?
Not always. Both can drip coolant near the front of the engine. A radiator leak shows at the tanks, the core, or the hose ends, while a water pump leak shows at the pump itself. Ace AutoFix covers both radiator and water pump work, and we write down which part failed before you approve the repair.
Does Ace AutoFix fix radiator leaks on trucks?
Yes on gas and light-duty trucks and on any brand of car. We do not do diesel engines. If your truck is diesel, we will say so up front instead of holding it. For gas vehicles, we look at the radiator, hoses, clamps, cap, and water pump and write down what failed.
How does Ace AutoFix price a radiator repair?
We quote your vehicle in writing before work starts. The price is labor and parts, with no supply, ordering, or disposal fees added at the end. We do not publish a flat dollar figure here, because the cost depends on your vehicle and on which part failed. We also tell you what can wait.
How do I reach Ace AutoFix?
Call (970) 317-2009 or email info@aceautofix.com. The shop is at 320 Wilson Gulch Dr, Durango, CO 81301. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Online booking is on aceautofix.com. We are locally owned, and the site shows 5.0 on Google. We still write the work down first.
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