What do I do about a leaking radiator?

My Toyota Camry suddenly started leaking coolant from the radiator and the engine stopped. Any ideas why?

Nilofar Majumdar (Yanboo)

Jul 2011 Filed under: fault

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Expert answer

Hi Nilofar,

We presume that this was a very large leak rather than a trickle if the engine stopped. If an engine loses its coolant it will overheat, the cylinder block and head could warp and it will seize up and stop. If the engine ran for a long period with little or no coolant it could be a complete write-off. You need to get your car to a garage to have it looked at by an expert as soon as possible. Do not attempt to drive it there.

As to what caused this, the radiator itself may have been holed by road debris, or a hose could have worked loose. There are other possibilities of course, but these sound like the most likely causes.

Hopefully it doesn't cost you a fortune to repair and get back on the road.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Adviser
@Shane_O_D