hi everyone,

I have noticed a leak on the front left side of radiator. Small drips. Temp gauge is fine.. a mechanic has quoted me $550 to fix + $120 for a flush. Sounds pretty expensive.. any suggestions? Another mechanic advised I could open the top bleeder valve under the plastic bit in the frunk and run a hose through. Then fill with Long Life coolant.
Any ideas?
Thank you in advance....

Car is a 1990 GT, SW20

How would running a hose through the top bleed valve fix a leak?
 
Also i assume by doing that, then filling with new coolant you would be draining the old coolant, in that case why would you flush it out via the tiny bleed valve and not the main in / outlets or back towards the motor? 
 
If your changing the coolant you would drain the whole lot, so drain from the radiator, both pipes under the car, engine block and the reservoir.
 
And then bleed properly with the 2 bleed valves at the front and cap off at the motor

Experienced the same problem almost a year ago. My experience after having the radiator repaired twice, as they get tiny cracks with age, replace the radiator and hoses if financially possible.
Do you have mechanical tools or a little knowledge?
My path was buy a new radiator from eBay at $180 (mine was from Melbourne), coolant $100 and clean pvc 10mm pipe at 2 meters from Masters or bunnings for about $4. Tools and time to replace a radiator is not complicated. I ended up replacing my radiator, been very happy. The flush, refil to bleed the system guide is online and easy, just be prepared to get Coolant everywhere.
If I was to do it again I would change the coolant line hoses - kits are cheap $60 for non genuine.

Thanks for the feedback and thoughts...:)
Ok noted.

I'll go along with replacing the radiator, hoses and do a flush.. Thank you again for the guidance and direction guys.