Vitals:
2001 CL-S
170,000 miles
Original everything

Long story short, after a few odd events today, I realize my car is leaking coolant from the passenger side of the engine bay. (Driven less than 6 miles on no coolant and no change in the temp gauge at all)

After some trial and error without being able to replicate the issue, I fill the main radiator neck with 50/50 coolant/water. Immediately, I notice a leak under the passenger engine bay. It's midnight here and I have not put it on a ramp yet, so I have yet to identify the absolute problem, but this has the appearance of a cracked/leaking radiator, no?

I see they are ~$120 online - does that sound reasonable?
How much should I expect labor to be at an independent shop?
I should be able to drive this 2-3 miles to the shop slowly without much issue, shouldn't I?

Thanks for your input!

 

120 is a good price all things considered for a new unit for sure.
labour.. I'd sad 2 hours MAXXX if they knew what they were doing at all.

then 20-30 mins to re-bleed the entire system (which you must do when changing out the entire rad)

and yes 2-3 miles won't kill ur car, just drive slow and all should be well.

Fill the rad up with water before you drive those few miles tho just to be sure you do no damage.

 

Check the hoses first.

 

I still can't seem to locate the exact problem, but it only leaks while the car is running. The radiator is full and no leaking while off. But while running, it's leaking pretty bad.

Still a cracked radiator, or something else?

Thoughts?

EDIT: Check that, I just un-did the radiator cap while the car was off and just as the cap came off, coolant/water poured from above the oil pan.

Checked the oil, oil level is fine and it's NOT milky. Also, no distinct blue or white smoke from the muffler.

HELP!

 

many places to check before replacing radiator. the heater system is sometimes the cause. run eyes/hands through all the lines looking for the obvious signs (chalky stain or greenish or rusty)... passenger side... could also be water pump... visual detailed inspection would be my first step

 

Can't see/feel anything and I'm starting to think it's the water pump.
I'm bringing it to the indie shop down the street for a pressure check shortly. We'll see what they find...

praying it's nothing super-major.

 

water pump is common issue... start by the simple and work up to the complicated

 

Confirmed. It's the water pump - looks like it only lasted 65k miles. FUN surprise!

$650 for the water pump, timing belt and transmission fluid drain/fill (I believe there is no power-flushing on our tranny's, no?).

Going in tomorrow.