leaking radiator

[miflox]

I have a '98 avalon xls with a 3.0 liter engine. I noticed some red coolant on the garage floor this afternoon. I drove it up on my ramps. I took off both electric fan shrouds (just the 2 bottom 10mm bolts) and tilted the shroulds upwards so I could see the radiator. With a headlamp on, and a maglite, I could not see where the hell it is was leaking from. When I tilted the shrouds, I could not see any red coolant leaking from any of the fins or anyplace on the radiator. Backed it off ramps. Got it hot again. Small amount of coolant on floor again. Brought it back up on the ramps. Found a small area on the right hand fan area where it was dribbling and marked it with a yellow lumber crayon. It must be leaking where the bottom plastic part is crimped to the aluminum radiator. It says "GM and Harrison Radiator" on it with a Feb. 2, 1998 white label.
1)Should I pull the radiator and bring it to a radiator shop?

2)Or should I throw a new or rebuilt radiator in there?

I am disabled with cancer and money is tight. Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks, Michael

[toyomoho]

A radiator shop can remove the tank and install a new gasket but not sure what the cost would be compared to a new radiator (guessing $50 versus $100ish). The other issue is the old radiator may start to have other issues such as cracks in the upper plastic tank.

Suggest calling around to radiator repair shops, auto parts stores, etc for prices to fix or buy a new one. This will help make up your mind.

There are also a host of web-based sites that sell radiators including Ebay. The only issue here is packaging can sometimes be marginal resulting in hidden damage and eventual leakage. As such now prefer dealing with a local firm where the radiator can be returned easily if problems.

[swiftjustice]

Avalon and Camry radiators are notorious for having the top of the plastic tank crack, causing them to loose pressure. Sounds like that's what yours has done, though just on the bottom. Once these radiators get about 10-12 years on them, their useful life is essentially over. Fortunately you can get them on e-bay or other on-line sources fairly cheap and its an easy fix if you're handy with a socket wrench and screw driver.