Leaking radiator hole or crack?

Tiny
BIGROG
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 NISSAN VERSA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 300,000 MILES
Yes I’m trying to figure out if we have a hole or crack in my sons radiator or if the guy from the shop (that was supposed to fix the ac) perhaps didn’t reassemble something correctly (they didn’t fix the ac they didn’t even check the fuses my wife did when we got it back). It’s got antifreeze going all the way across the top of the radiator and down one side but when I got my wife to crank it she said there was nothing spraying out but where the hood padding meets the radiator is completely soaked with antifreeze. So I guess my question is do we have a crack/hole, the guy put parts back on wrong, or maybe something else? I’ll attach some pictures you can’t really see much cause it’s so cramped in there but I can get them to get more pictures. I’m trying to figure out if this is something easy maybe my wife and son can fix or if it’ll have to wait until I get off the boat. Thanks for all advice and your help guys!
Sunday, November 9th, 2025 AT 12:04 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
BIGROG
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
In the photo I’m attaching where the yellow line is where the silver crimped pieces are on the top of the radiator there is antifreeze going across the top of it and you can see it dripping (she thinks) and where the blue line is going down the side of the radiator she said there is a gap between the 2 radiators but there isn’t one on the other side. She said she can squeeze it and it’ll close up the gap. Neither me or my wife know much about this kind of car I’ve taught her about our trucks but this is waaay different for the both of us so we might at well be trying to read a different language trying to figure out what’s going on under there! So we appreciate any and all help!
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Sunday, November 9th, 2025 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,610 POSTS
Thanks for the images, yep, the radiator tank looks like it is cracked and leaking which is common, here is a guide that can help you confirm the problem.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

replacing the radiator in this can is not to big of a deal, I would get a replacement unit from rockauto.com or Amazon here is a link in case you need it, about $80.00. Also, refill the radiator with fresh coolant and don't let the coolant around animals.

https://amzn.to/4qXiqCq

Please upload a short video in your response of the problem, so I can see what's going on :)
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Monday, November 10th, 2025 AT 10:15 AM
Tiny
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Everytime I have the hood popped and the car running I’m not seeing anything spraying out but my father in law says that the leak is right under where I circled in the attached image so, I suppose we’ll see since he ordered a new radiator and said he’s gonna change it! I’ll let you guys know the results from that. Thank you again!
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Tuesday, November 11th, 2025 AT 6:33 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,610 POSTS
Sorry this website is having an issue, can you upload a short video? Those are working. A radiator leak can be intermittent.
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Tuesday, November 11th, 2025 AT 9:57 AM

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