No politics here, I'll admit

[tavalon]

but my car is trying to commit suicide using a leaking radiator as it's method. Does anyone here have a mechanic that they highly recommend?

Edited to add: I'm in Austin, south side, though I could go north for a great mechanic.

[longship]

1. My mechanic recommends this:

Get some plastic film and duct tape it over the radiator near the hole.

Who's my mechanic? Why, it's David Paulison, the new FEMA chief.

[tavalon]

3. Cute

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. advice from NW Arkansas

Lumaseal or Copperseal can help fix the leak temporarily....my mechanic husband doesn't make house calls to Austin, but thought this could help!

[tavalon]

4. I guess that means I'll have to crawl under and try to figure out

where the leak is. Oh, well, that does make sense, actually.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. you don't have to find the leak

start the car, warm it up, put in the stuff. Put the cap back on. Let it run 5-15 minutes. Drive it. You should be able to watch the leak go away as the product plugs the leak.

[tavalon]

6. Oh, so it's inside goop?

But does it destroy the radiator in the meantime. And is it a semipermanent fix or a fix until I can roll it into a mechanic.

Oh, and thank you're husband or yourself for the free advice. If I'm ever in the neighborhood up there, I'll buy ya a beer.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. Won't handle a huge leak

but it will work as a repair pinhole leaks. It won't plug up the radiator, heater core, or anything like that. It is a semi-permanent fix.

And thanks for the beer offer :) I don't indulge, my husband shouldn't (health problems) but he appreciates the offer.

[tavalon]

8. It's actually a fairly small leak

(So I overstated my case by saying it was committing suicide) but it's concerning, of course. I think I shall go get some of the aforementioned stuff and try it out.

Thanks to both of you. :)

[Lithos]

9. Just FYI

If you have one leak now, you could potentially have other leaks as well. Basically what they gave you is a fix to buy you time to either sell the car or plan ahead to fix the radiator itself.

L-

[tavalon]

10. Yeah, long term we need to fix the radiator and a few other things

But I just moved back from Seattle, just got back to work today and won't get paid until the end of the month. I can find the money. I don't really want to have to until the end of the month. Plus, I don't know any good mechanics in Texas. I''ve been spoiled by having a family member who is an auto mechanic up in Seattle.

[GOPisEvil]

11. AAA always recommended Leonard's Garage.

There's a location on S. Lamar and one on S. 1st.

A friend recommends Arbor Auto which I think is on Burnet Rd.

[tavalon]

12. Who do you use?

You are a fastidious, careful soul. I suspect you take good care of your car. I know it's a read from being around you all of one small part of a weekend, but I'm sticking by it. I'm stubborn that way. ;)

[GOPisEvil]

13. Well...thankfully I've never needed major work done.

I did have the Goodyear by my house replace the struts and do some brake work. Other than that, I've taken it to Austin Infiniti for 90,000 mile maintenance. For oil changes, I use a lube place by my house.

I'm needing a tune-up/120,000 mile stuff soon, and I'm still deciding where to take my car. I'm leaning toward Arbor though, since my friend has personal knowledge.

www.rateaustin.com might help.