Q: I have what i think is a radiator leak, I have a 2 1/2 hr drive home, can I make it?

asked by on November 15, 2016

It appears someone hit my car over break. It leaked a blackish? liquid for two days. It didn't come from the engine or the battery, I believe its the radiator. it has not leaked since. my car has not overheated but i've only taken it on maximum 30 minute trips since i've found the leaks. I really want to get it fixed in my home town but i'm afraid of breaking down on the way. Can I make it 2 1/2 hours away?
My car has an automatic transmission.

Oil/Fluid Leak Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

You may want to have the leak checked and all the fluid levels checked and topped off before attempting to drive the vehicle at all. A long drive may run whatever is leaking out of the fluid and cause more damages to the component that is leaking. If the fluid is dark in color it may be the transmission or engine oil leaking. Have your car oil leak inspected before you go.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Power steering pump whining.
Hi, this is a common issue on this and many other Ford models. If the pump is full and it is still making noise then you either need to replace the pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/power-steering-pump-replacement) or the fluid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/power-steering-fluid-service). I would change...
How do I turn overdrive off?
You can turn the overdrive system off by pressing the O/D Off switch on the side of the shifter. When overdrive is turned off, you will have improved braking from the engine, but your top speed will be limited.
Car has CVT transmission, can't afford to replace, can I just replace the entire motor with a used one with different trans?
Hello. If you wanted to replace the motor and transmission, you would have other problems like the wire harnesses and ECM modules among other problems to do the swap correctly. You may be better off replacing the transmission with a...
I have a small oil leak in my car. Is it safe to drive it to work? I only see small puddles in the front area of my car.
Hey there. An oil leak can vary from anything very minor to very major depending on the location and the volume of oil being leaked. Often times, a small oil leak may be present surrounding a major gasket such as...
My car alarm is going off for no reason
Hi there. Check the sensibility of the car alarm. If the car alarm is set to a slight vibration and can pick up light vibrations, then check around the garage that would contribute to a light vibration. That may be...
Idle problems
If the throttle body is leaking vacuum on the throttle shaft then it should be replaced. If you are just getting a noise of sucking air through the throttle plates then it can be caused by carbon build up on...
Heat not coming out hot
This can be caused by the heater core having a partial blockage or by the temperature blend door on passenger side going to cold. You will need to have actuator checked first and then if it i moving door to...
I. Have a. Sonata 2011. It accelerate. But dont adcance went im driving it it gave me a throttle body code
The throttle body trouble code may be a key clue but the components, system and wiring referred to in the trouble code have to be individually diagnosed (the code itself is not a diagnostic or "result", but rather the code...
What type and brand of oil should I use in my 2008Chevrolet suburban LTZ? Over 100k miles
The vehicle calls for synthetic oil that provides better protection and should be on your oil cap indicating the proper weights and the brand should not matter as long as it meets GM standards on the oil cap or in...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Live in a City
Living Living and driving in the city means you’re faced with parking constraints, narrow streets, and the constant stop and go of traffic. With all of that said when you’re ready to purchase a used vehicle these are all things...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Water Pump
Common signs include coolant leaks at the front-center of the car, loose water pump pulley, overheating engine, and steam coming from the radiator.
How Long Does a Cooling Fan Relay Last?
The The purpose of the cooling fan relay is to pull air through the A/C condenser and the radiator. Most vehicles have two fans, one for the radiator and one for the condenser. Once you turn on the air conditioning,...