Q: My car has a radiator leak and I need to get it to my mechanic

asked by on February 04, 2017

My car has a radiator leak and it has been sitting in my garage for two weeks. I need to drive it to my mechanic who is 9 miles away from where I live in LA, but I'm not sure if it will cause damage to the engine. I have coolant liquid in my car which I can refill it with as I go along the way and was just wondering if that's good enough to get my car there. Will that be ok for me to do?

My car has 155000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Radiator Replacement $353.55 - $1403.40 Get a Quote

If the radiator has to be replaced because it leaks, that replacement can be performed right at your location (without moving the car) by a mobile mechanic. If you desire that service, please request radiator replacement and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you desire to bring the car to a mechanic, the practicality of that will simply depend on how large the leak is, although any leak will make it impossible for the cooling system to operate under pressure and thus the system could boil over even with a relatively small leak. Unfortunately, without seeing the car and understanding the exact extent of the leak, it is impossible to advise whether it is safe to drive and, if so, what sort of distance might be safe. Generally, if you have a known leak, the most prudent course is to either have the car towed or just simply avail yourself of YourMechanic’s mobile repair service which will save you money, too, because you don’t have to pay the considerable overhead associated with in-shop or dealer repairs. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

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

Rear differential humming
Hi there. A humming noise usually indicates a worn pinion bearing or an incorrect backlash setting on the rear differential between the ring and pinion gear. Sometimes, if the pinion bearing develops play due to wear, the pinion gear will...
Car overheating occasionally
Hello. Check to see if there is a loss of coolant in the reservoir; this may be where the leak is coming from. Next, make sure that the cooling system is full, then have a qualified technician do a pressure...
buzz in dash at 70 mph
Hi there. This is very common on this vehicle. It is usually one of the electric motors in the dashboard that move the gauges. It is more than likely the speedometer motor as it seems to be related to vehicle...
Satellite radio not working
The radio is most likely the cause, since the preview channel should stay on if it was working like it should. The radio is capable of storing codes if it runs into any errors. It will need to be scanned...
Noise starting car
I'm guessing the bumping noise you're referring to means it clicks and then finally starts. Or possibly that it cranks and then starts? These are two different issues. A click no start (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-not-starting-inspection) indicates a problem in the starting system....
White smoke coming out
Hi there: White smoke out of the exhaust usually means that there is coolant getting into the cylinder head, or engine block. The most common cause of this is a blown head gasket. However, in some cases if the PCV...
Red Battery indicator comes on. Car cuts off on the highway.
Hello There, It sounds like you may have a failing alternator or voltage regulator. As you know, the alternator is responsible for charging the battery while the engine runs by generating amperage and recharging the battery while the engine turns...
Spark plug replacement on 2011 BMW 328xi
Your vehicle was equipped with 100,000 mile spark plugs. The first recommended change is at 100,000 miles. If a Diagnostic Trouble Code has led you to test the ignition system and you find that an individual plug over coil tests...
Switched to 4WD - did fine for a little then started making grinding noise. Now car won't move and the 4WD light is blinking.
Hi there. If the 4WD light is blinking and you hear a grinding noise when the transmission is in drive or reverse only, then the transfer case has either broken the fork inside the case or the syncronizer jammed up...

Related articles

What Does It Mean When My Car Is "Burning" Oil?
Burning oil is usually caused by leaking oil that burns up on hot engine or exhaust components. Fix leaking oil to prevent expensive car repairs.
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Personal Trainer
As As a personal trainer, you either operate out of a gym, or you go to your clients. Either way, you probably don’t have to haul any more gear than what fits into your gym bag, so your main focus...
How to Replace a Condenser Fan Relay
A condenser fan relay operates the fan that removes heat from the engine. If faulty, it will not allow the A/C to blow cool air or function at all.