RADIATOR... LEAKING?

[grbr95]

Took my 2000 Dodge Gr Caravan to the shop to get a transmission leak checked out..found that it's minor and only a hose. Then the mechanic says, "but I found another problem".. he shows me the top of my radiator where I have dried up coolant around the cap and by the overflow hose, and tells me my radiator has a hole in it there.
I take my van home, let it cool, pop of the cap and there is no hole on or around the neck where the cap screws on, and there is no damage to the lip of the neck. So I called another mechanic and he said that the rubber inside the caps can go bad, and that it's likely just that.
Is this typical?

 

[Steve S]

Call 1-800 radiator and check their price .

 

[Kestas]

Wash off the dried coolant, clean the cap of any contaminants, and see if the problem reappears.

 

[MN Driver]

I'd just replace the cap to eliminate the cap and its gasket from being a problem, clean the surrounding area as kestas just said and continue to watch it. It sounds like a bad cap to me.

 

[grbr95]

Yeah..that's what I'll do. Can't beleive that son of a (you know) was going to try and get me to buy a new radiator. If it were some female, you can bet they'd be 400.00 dollars ahead.. Not speaking of every female, but many..

 

[Kestas]

It is for this reason you hear a lot of people talk about all the "problems" they've had with a certain model. You've gotta wonder whether they just can't find good mechanics.

We understand what you mean when you say 'female'. A lot of guys fit in that category as well.

 

[grbr95]

yes, so true.. So many just smile and play dumb, and are quick to whip out the checkbook.