Radiator Leak: Can I go to any rad shop?

[phaetn]

Came out after a squash game with colleagues after work and discovered a puddle under the car. Uh oh. Greenish tinge. Opened the hood and confirmed the the rad was still filled to the top, and then checked the level in the expansion tank. Defnitely down, but I wasn't 100% convinced it was from my car. Kept my eye on the temp for the 20 minute car ride home.

At home, another puddle. I could see it dripping from the bottom right corner of the rad. Definitely not from hoses, but ther might be a hole in the rad or the coolant might be working its way there from elsewhere.

I am going to avoid the temptation of putting in an aftermarket rad sealer as I really don't want to gum up the water pump or channels.

If I bring it to a local rad shop tomorrow should they be able to fix it? Can they pressure test it and identify the leak with a coloured solution or something? Might they have to order a specialty part like a seal for the water pump or even a whole new rad? I'm wondering if they can just do it on the spot or if it requires ordering parts.

Thanks and cheers,
phaetn

[courtenay]

A local shop should be able to do a pressure test and determine where the rad is leaking. If it's not a core problem, they should also be able to fix it. Not sure about replacement, though. They are readily available through several vendors that participate on this Forum.

[kilrwail]

A good rad shop can test it and re-core it if necessary - the core is not unique to Fiat. Go to Capital Dominion on Gladstone - they re-cored mine and did a great job. Talk to James - he's Italian!

[4uall]

http://axleautomotiveinc.com/

[phaetn]

Thanks for the replies, gentleman. It's good to hear I might not have to actually order the rad. I know a/r has them but shipping from TX always takes a few days and the Piser is my daily driver until the roads get salted!

Thanks for the tip about Dominion!

Cheers.
Phaetn

[4uall]

Keep me posted as I want to have mine done after I replace it with my new one from AR

[RRoller123]

Just a reminder for those in Southern New England, that A&I Radiator on Rt. 1 in North Attleboro is excellent. All the local hot rodders use them. (I have no affiliation other than satisfied customer).

[phaetn]

The rad shop near work quoted roughly around $400 because they had to custom make the core. I didn't have time to get to Capital Dominion but I did speak to them on the phone. A new one from A-R be which is made for the Spider is around $200 and I can put it on myself.

Despite my better judgment, I decided to try Prestone Stop Leak. I know it's definitely not a permanent fix and I'm normally not a "fix in the bottle" type of guy, but I figured I have to get a new radiator anyway and if this messes up the core and blocks it I'm not out-of-pocket anything but the six dollars for the bottle; on the other hand, if it works it works.

So far so good. It definitely stopped the leak which was where the top of the core meets the cap. I'll have to see when things get near freezing again if it still works or if the metal is going to expand and contract too much. I've been driving it for a few days and in warm enough weather for the fan to cycle on and off and so far no leak!

Yay! I can go to Montebello for the big Italian car day!!

Cheers,
Phaetn

[4uall]