Is my radiator fucked?

[u/Mozzeriosky_YNWA]

Gf's dad didn't secure parked trailer; hitch rolled into my cry's radiator. Looks bad, isn't leaking (yet). Should I replace it or wait until I see any sign I leakage?

[u/Vaktrus]

You sure it's the radiator? Usually the A/C condenser is in front.

[u/Mozzeriosky_YNWA → u/Vaktrus]

It actually might be the AC condenser. Regardless, I don't see leakage. Would it be wise to change it? Tight on money at the moment but I'm handy so I can probably change this myself.

[u/imJGott → u/Mozzeriosky_YNWA]

Freon is a gas, you wouldn’t see it.

[u/Vaktrus → u/imJGott]

That gas has PAG oil in it that doesn't stay a gas under normal conditions. Usually this oil has florescent die to assist in finding leaks.

[u/Vaktrus → u/Mozzeriosky_YNWA]

Not sure the outside temp where you are but check and see if the ac still blows cold. Most of the time automotive AC systems have green fluorescent dye that makes leaks easier to spot, and you're right it doesn't seem to be visibly leaking. Good chance it didn't puncture and it's just cosmetic damage.

[u/1sixxpac]

Looks like an a/c condenser …

[u/roytwo]

If it ain't leaking, run it until it does. Radiators take that kind of damage all the time, rock or bird strikes are common

[u/m00ndr0pp3d]

It's fine to drive you just won't have AC if the refrigerant leaks out

[u/SokkaHaikuBot → u/m00ndr0pp3d]

^{Sokka-Haiku by m00ndr0pp3d:}

It's fine to drive you

Just won't have AC if the

Refrigerant leaks out

---

^{Remember that one time Sokka accidentally used an extra syllable in that Haiku Battle in Ba Sing Se? That was a Sokka Haiku and you just made one.}

[u/tharussianphil → u/SokkaHaikuBot]

Good bot

[u/AKADriver]

I'd replace it, radiators are cheap and the consequences of catastrophic coolant loss are expensive.

[u/IllustriousCarrot537]

If it's not leaking, don't worry about it. It's pretty well only cosmetic. Your not going to lose much cooling efficiency with that small number of squashed fins.

If it's not leaking now, it likely never will.

As someone else said tho, that might be your AC core, make sure your AC still blows cold.

[u/SelfSmooth]

I've seen leaks got welded and in order to do that some part of the fins are removed and it works. I guess if there's no leak then you're good but you need to monitor the temp if it falls below the acceptable range . But if it's me, I'd replace it.

[u/AdultishRaktajino]

You can probably get an aftermarket radiator for $80-$250 depending on the vehicle. More if it’s rare or classic. I think I paid around $110 for a Buick Lucerne a few months ago.

Edit: also if the car has AC, that might be the condenser coil. They typically sit in front of the radiator.

[u/Mozzeriosky_YNWA → u/AdultishRaktajino]

Probably condenser coil. Still, safe to drive with or change it?

[u/AdultishRaktajino → u/Mozzeriosky_YNWA]

Probably change it before spring/summer if you need air conditioning. Could hook up some gauges to see if you have any refrigerant left.

If it’s empty, and cold where you live the vehicle will be fine. The compressor clutch won’t kick in during cold weather or when the charge is too low. Also if it’s empty, the good news is you don’t have to worry about purging the system before fixing it.

[u/AdultishRaktajino → u/Mozzeriosky_YNWA]

If it’s holding a refrigerant charge I’d run it, especially if it’s an older vehicle. Unless you think GF’s dad will make you whole.

[u/Dangerous_Echidna229 → u/Mozzeriosky_YNWA]

You said radiator, what is it?

[u/EngineeringField]

If no leaks whilst AC is running for a decent time to heat up the condenser, and no increase in the time for it to cool down your car as like it does before, you can straighten the bent slices with a plastic card if you aren't considering a replacement.

[u/Watts300]

I’d watch the temp gauge religiously, and watch for leaks, every day for a few weeks. Keep some distilled water in the trunk during those few weeks. Don’t bother with keeping a coolant jug. If the radiator starts leaking, distilled water is a lot cheaper to get you where you need to be. And watch the temp. If the loss of that much surface area in the radiator causes an increase in its stabilized operating temp, replace it.

[u/AdultishRaktajino → u/Watts300]

Only if you live somewhere warm. A gallon of ice won’t help most people.

[u/Watts300 → u/AdultishRaktajino]

Ok. So carry antifreeze if it’s a sub-zero environment. Keep whatever fluid necessary. Doesn’t really change my advice.

[u/AdultishRaktajino → u/Watts300]

Sure. Just wanted to call it out. Some people don’t understand the ramifications of stuff like that. Especially if they were to water down antifreeze/coolant by adding only water.

[u/Watts300 → u/AdultishRaktajino]

Gotcha. Watering down the coolant wouldn’t be awful in this scenario, cuz it would just be temporary until it’s parked and part-swapped.

[u/JavaGeep]

I packed the fins with epoxy when this happened in college days, and that lasted for months until I got a new one

[u/Toscakes]

Agree with Vaktrus, what you're looking at is the condenser. If you have a blacklight, shine it on the damage, preferably in the dark. Most refrigerants carry oil in it for the AC compressor which glows under a blacklight. If you see any glowing yellow-green spots, there is a leak and it will need replacing.

[u/Swatch843]

Still a couple hours left in that puppy

[u/jolle75]

If you keep pushing is like that, yes

[u/Dependent-Plane5522]

No, just fingered. For it to be fucked you have to put your dick in it.

[u/Shawn855]

My ac condenser was worse than this and lasted 4 years before it started leaking. Ac blew cold as well. Had no issues. Leave it if it's not leaking.

[u/Tight-Lengthiness667]

Nah, my kid took a rock to one a year ago. Still going strong

[u/datonz]

Use a black light to check for leaks

[u/Secret_Effect_5961]

That damage just degrades efficiency. If it ain't leaking I'd leave it till warmer times and swap it then. It does look like the condenser though.

[u/Longjumping-Wait-100]

I’d replace it if it were my vehicle, I’m honestly surprised it’s not leaking already.