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Radiator Leak, temps are normal... Still okay to drive??

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Old Oct 8, 2004 | 03:42 PM
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RotaryKnightV1's Avatar
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Radiator Leak, temps are normal... Still okay to drive??

Is it okay to drive my RX-7 with a radiator leak but my temps are still normal???
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Old Oct 8, 2004 | 03:48 PM
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From: My 350Z Roadster kicks my RX7's butt
NO! o-rings will not survive a loss of coolant. Have the plastic tank replaced emediately or replace the entire radiator. If you can't tow it, then drive strait to the radiator shop only but call in advance so you don't end up driving home.
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Old Oct 8, 2004 | 03:48 PM
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it might be okay, but personally I dont think its worth the risk of $3000 for a rebuild!!!
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Old Oct 8, 2004 | 03:50 PM
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I assume this is a small leak. Keep topping off your coolant in the filler neck (between the airpump and alternator) and get it repaired as soon as possible. You'll hear the coolant level buzzer and see the indicator light come on when you coolant is critically low, but don't let it get this low.

[edit]and don't take the car for extended trips[/edit]
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Old Oct 8, 2004 | 03:59 PM
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Originally Posted by RotaryKnightV1
Is it okay to drive my RX-7 with a radiator leak but my temps are still normal???
Is it OK if I run out of oil?
Is it OK if I run out of gas?
Is it OK to drive on a flat tire?
Is it OK if my headlights don't work?
Is it OK to drive if my car is on fire?

Just examples of other threads for you to start
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Old Oct 8, 2004 | 04:04 PM
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I drove my old beater FC for a number of months with a VERY slow, weeping radiator leak. Topped it off every now and again, and I was fine.

But, the problem with radiator leaks is they typically get worse. At some point, you'll have a substantial failure in the endtank and rapidly lose coolant.

Being that FD's are so sensitive cooling-system-wise, I would only drive it if you had a new radiator coming, and only on short trips around town.

Dale
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Old Oct 8, 2004 | 06:14 PM
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I had a leak a while back and it wasn't really bad, off and on. One day I took it out to work, the leak got really bad at work but I didn't notice until I was driving home at rush hour. I had to pull over and let the car sit until I fixed it. What had happened was my upper radiator hose had a small leak in it then one day it just blew. After that I would never drive the car if I found any signs of a leak.
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Old Oct 8, 2004 | 07:12 PM
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Are you sure the leak is from the radiator? If the overflow tank is too full, then it will leak out the excess coolant.
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Old Oct 9, 2004 | 08:16 AM
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Not a good idea. You need the presure to lower the boiling point. Loose the coolant it gets replaced with air (this won't work well). The nice thing is it's your car and can do what ever you want. People don't loose a motor everytime they loose coolant. So hows your luck, like to gamble.... ? ROll the dice and who knows the next thread we answer is how to replace a motor instead oa radiator. Jack
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