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Coolant leak cause radiator to blow?

Tiny
JEAGAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 95,000 MILES
I brought my car in for a oil change yesterday, was told upon 23 point inspection that there is a small leak of coolant and that I should probably get it fixed as eventually it would cause me to have problems with the radiator. They replaced thermostat and thermostat housing yesterday, $270. This morning it was leaking something all over the ground when started. Took it back in and they said my radiator was completely blown. He showed me the top where there are seams (or looked like to me) and said that's where the fluid was coming from. So anyways it cost me another $470. I guess I am trying to find out if it was something they possibly did to cause this. I guess my thinking was I fixed a problem I wasn't even aware of so this wouldn't happen "down the road" and it still happened, and a day later. The mechanic told me it was b/c the leak was causing low air pressure and once the problem was fixed the return to normal air pressure did it.
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Thursday, January 30th, 2014 AT 3:06 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,136 POSTS
It is true that the pressure would have raised if it had leaked down previously then you fixed the problem. Then it found the next weakest point in the cooling system. These things do honestly happen. His prices aren't unreasonable so I wouldn't feel cheated and be thankful you weren't in a desperate situation when it did blow
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Thursday, January 30th, 2014 AT 3:15 PM
Tiny
JEAGAN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you so much for responding. Good to know I wasn't cheated. Hate to say, wanted to make sure they weren't taking advantage of the fact I'm a female and no nothing about cars. Thanks again!
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Thursday, January 30th, 2014 AT 4:47 PM
Tiny
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,136 POSTS
Anytime. Youre welcome! Glad I could help and youre back on the road
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Thursday, January 30th, 2014 AT 5:20 PM
Tiny
JEAGAN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Ok so I have another question. So yesterday when I left the shop I noticed the check engine light was on. I called them and they said that they purposely left it on so the system can rescan and will turn off after so many miles. Now this morning went to drive it and obviously the light is still on, but the thermostat will not get above a quarter, hovers below it. The heat is working fine though. ( I had the thermostat replaced 2 days ago) And the RPMs are staying at 0, even when pedal is pressed all the way to floor. It did this yesterday on my way to take it in but was puttering then which it is not puttering now but it doesn't seem like its getting full speed. The shop is not opened yet so I am wondering in the mean time what could possibly be wrong now? Obviously annoyed as my car was in perfect shape before I brought it in for a stinking oil change
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Friday, January 31st, 2014 AT 6:53 AM
Tiny
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,136 POSTS
This sounds odd to me that they would leave a check engine light on and not tell you about it when you picked it up before you left with it. They do not reset themselves. Id be cautious and don't be afraid to get a second shop to look at it. Call the BBB and find out who they've listed as good shops and/or file a complaint about the shop you visited if they don't make it right to your satisfaction
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Friday, January 31st, 2014 AT 2:21 PM
Tiny
JEAGAN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I know I swear I feel like they don't know what they are doing. He never told me about the light which husband thought odd. He only said that if I see leaking that day that it is just water from spraying down the radiator. It is back in the shop with them be cause my husband was driving it this afternoon and it started sputtering again and wouldn't go above 40 and rpm's staying at 0. This is the exact thing it did to me yesterday on the way to the shop when they said my radiator was blown. Hopefully we have an answer and a permanent fix for whatever is going on.
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Friday, January 31st, 2014 AT 2:46 PM
Tiny
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,136 POSTS
Ok. Good luck. Remember you have the power as a consumer to make it right for you. Don't let them bully you. Ask lots of questions
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Friday, January 31st, 2014 AT 2:56 PM

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