i was cuttin a one of those plastic ties you use to keep wiring together, and i slipped with my knife and hit my radiator. it didnt hit all that hard, but apparently it was enough, it started leaking coolant. does the metal based stuff they sell at autozone and places like that actually work for sealing up small radiator leaks, or do i need to start looking for a new radiator? (again)

 

a local radiator shop should be able to fix the leak for you pretty cheap. I would stay away from those stop leak products as they tend to clog things up ,and dont last, in my opinion.

 

anything i can do to patch it up temporarily? the car is about to be towed about 15 miles away on wednesday, and i was planning on driving it back. i could take it straight from there to a radiator shop.

 

I saw a post about fixing your radiator using something like JB weld (a very firm epoxy material). Basically drain the coolant, clean area thoroughly, apply epoxy, let sit 24 hours, fill the system. Probably what the radiator shop will do atleast.

 

solder.... (or hillbilly saudier )

 

If the cut is not to big and is accesible, solder it in the car. Or drain the coolant, remove the radiator and solder it. Assuming you have a solder iron and solder. If not it might be cheaper than a radiator shop to buy a solder gun or iron and solder. The area must be clean and dry for the solder to adhise properly. It can be done if your a DIY person.