Radiator leaks

[scruggs]

I am losing water from the nearside lower area of the radiator once it is up to running temperature (thermostat open). I cannot actually eyeball the leak but water drips off of the bodywork below that point.

What are peoples opinions of additives such as Barleaks or Radweld?

[Walford]

Ye good for blocking the oil cooler up

[scruggs]

In fact forget that question. I just moved the car 20 feet into a long term parking spot on the drive and it left a contnuous unbroken trail of water on the floor behind it! A somewhat more serious leak than first envisaged.

[valhalla]

Don't panic yet.I thought i had a leak on mine.It turned out that water was being forced out round the cap on the tank.A blue one in my case. It had all blown out and laid in the tray that's part of the pepper pot rad grill.Also check the outside if the neck on the water tank,as mine had evidence of water that had run down and dried up whitish in colour.
Good luck Dave

[scruggs]

The expansion/filler tank is good. The leak appears to be from the nearside bottom of the radiator, but water tracks around everywhere so it could be somewhere else.

How difficult is it to get the rad out?

[Walford]

Easy job but bleed all the air out of rad and engine on start up
chances are you will need new hoses

Edited by Walford on Sunday 28th July 12:27

[Toady1]

I did mine earlier this year. Pretty easy job tbh. Take the service bonnet off to make it easier. I'd replace the hoses too at the same time.

[The Surveyor]

Removing the rad is harder if your car has aircon, but otherwise it's a bolt in, bolt out job.

If the radiator is leaking from the plastic end caps, these can be repaired so dont junk a serviceable radiator if you don't need to, just find a specialist who can do the repair properly. I had mine repaired at Advanced Radiators in Newcastle, but there will be somebody nearer to you who can do the same.

Good luck.

Paul

[Tuscanuwe]

The Surveyor


Removing the rad is harder if your car has aircon, but otherwise it's a bolt in, bolt out job.

---

not true!
The rad is the top one so easy to get out you will not touch the aircon condenser at all.
Have done it twice, in and out 1 hour job + deairing water system(15 min)

Uwe

[bones dog]

had leaking rad just recently used Colchester radiators excellent service £186.00 easy job to change

[scruggs]

Thanks all for your comments and suggestions. I will update you when there is an outcome.

Regards

Scruggs
(Pete)

[wongthecorrupter]

Rad tech alloy rad

[Toady1]

If you search for some of my previous topics from earlier in the year you'll see my thread on ally rad I fitted to mine.

[R7EBO]

I have exactly the same issue but from the opposite corner. Let me know what you find out please if you would be so kind! Difficult to see where it's coming from, but I'm awaiting a price on a repair/refurb anyway after having seen the £480 price of a new alloy one!

[m4tti]

scruggs said:

Thanks all for your comments and suggestions. I will update you when there is an outcome.

Regards

Scruggs
(Pete)

Not sure if you've sorted this yet Pete but have seen you at the ph southeast meet so assume your fairly local. I had mine refurbed by Bryan and sons Camden road tunbridge wells.

[Tuscanuwe]

Go for Aaron Radiators, good quality, full Aluminium, higher capacity
not so expensive

Uwe

[crypto]

Tuscanuwe said:

Go for Aaron Radiators, good quality, full Aluminium, higher capacity not so expensive

Uwe

I can recommend them too (but alloy rads are usually not repairable). However your copper/brass rad should be easy to repair as long the leaks are not in the core.

[Toady1]

Tuscanuwe said:

Go for Aaron Radiators, good quality, full Aluminium, higher capacity
not so expensive

Uwe

Its what I went for £300 delivered!