Freddie Two Bs

This morning I drove about 20 miles then I parked the car. After about 20 minutes I noticed a puddle of fluid. I looked underneath the car and there was something dripping from the front left. What's that likely to be, Pentosin? Brake fluid?

cdk4219

Radiator

hodie21

This. Radiator

Kevin

You have to smell the fluid..

It could be Pentosin from a failed slave.. Open your hood and check your clutch slave reservoir>>is it leaking and wet? Is the plastic sticky? If it is>>first sign of a failing slave..

As many have mentioned, it could be your radiators.. Smell the liquid, and get your car up in the air..

Freddie Two Bs

Thanks guys. Slave was replaced not long ago...

How much $$$ damage is the radiator likely to be if I have a shop do the repair...?

Macster

All 3 radiators of my 2003 were found leaking -- there were small puddles at each corner (that I took for snow/ice melt) and at the dealer and on the lift it was clear all radiators were seeping along where the bottom of the radiator connected to the finned part.

To replace all 3 radiators of my 2003 Turbo and with new coolant cost my around $4K at a dealer (Springfield MO dealer).

The cost would have been less had I had this done at my local dealer who gives me good discounts on parts and labor but I was on the road and had no choice.

Freddie Two Bs

Crikey! Hopefully it's not all 3 that need replacing.

hodie21

I am replacing all three of mine right now. I am in it for 1400. I am doing labor on my own.
Edit. That includes all new hoses for the front too

jason952

you should do all three if that's it...imagine having to pay all that labor again...it's a pretty easy DIY considering.

Olemiss540

Holy smokes..... 4K in radiators? I could change every cars radiator I own and have enough left over for a nice weekend trip to vegas.... in a suite....

Ck986

I think an Indy can do it for 2500$ parts and labor. I was quoted 700 for labor in NJ, so it's not that bad. I would replace all three rads while you're in there.

Turbodan

I suggest you use CSF rads. They are aluminum tanks instead of plastic and cost is similar.

Macster

I'm sure the cost would have been less had I had this done at my local dealer. Also, I could have seriously considered using aftermarket radiators vs. the OE radiators.

The SA that booked the car in indicated he'd give me a discount -- and has before when I've had to stop there for something -- but when I went to pick up the car he was on vacation and the stand in SA said "no discount". I didn't even get the PCNA membership discount.

But I was 2K miles from home and my options were very limited. It was the dealer in Springfield, or a flat bed tow 150 miles to KC Mo dealer -- who before when I approached about doing some work was booked weeks in advance -- or a flat bed tow to Wichita KS dealer or the Oklahoma City dealer or the St Louis dealer or the Little Rock dealer. I don't know the distances but a 600 mile tow from Ely NV to Livermore CA (after I hit a mule deer) cost me $1500.

Freddie Two Bs

In case anyone cares in the future, I received two estimates, both with stock oem radiators, one for $2,550 plus tax and one for $2,850 plus tax.

Third-Reef

Both of my side radiators with 60k on them were weeping at the seams. Small puddles on the garage floor after 2-3 days sitting. I pulled the bumper cleaned it all up with distilled water and an air nozel. Then re-crimped the end tanks. Been good for 9 months now, not even a wiff of AF. Search on it, a good write up here somewhere. Cost 2 hours of my labor.