leaking radiator

[paul b]

hello knowledgable ones

i have a leak from radiator i think, got some stuff from autoshop, do i put this in radiator, back of container says put it in expansion tank if it's a sealed unit? or in rad. i have a 50/50 chance of getting it wrong so don't like my odds.

thanks in advance

paul

[crashyb]

hello knowledgable ones

i have a leak from radiator i think, got some stuff from autoshop, do i put this in radiator, back of container says put it in expansion tank if it's a sealed unit? or in rad. i have a 50/50 chance of getting it wrong so don't like my odds.

thanks in advance

paul

Have you thought about getting it repaired properly ?. Reading about the problems that we Surf owners can have with overheating it would really worry me to put something in the water system that is designed to block holes. Could be a cheap fix now but a massive cost later. What do other members think ?.

[Pauleds]

Totally agree Crashy, i thought i had a leaky rad and it turned out that my cylinder head had cracked. Get it looked at properly mate.

Paul.

[da SLUG man]

leaky rads are common problem... look around surfs and 90% seem to have the same repair on top of rad... whack the gunk in! if the heads cracked it's cracked... nowt you can do about it!... at least it'll get you about till it's fixed!


(alternative to expensive rad gunk... egg white)

[Reddog]

I've had a leaky rad on my surf for a while and repaired it on a number of occasions,seems the only thing is to get a new one but i,ve had some rad seal in it for a while with no problems that i can see,gives you time to get money sorted at least.

[crashyb]

I've had a leaky rad on my surf for a while and repaired it on a number of occasions,seems the only thing is to get a new one but i,ve had some rad seal in it for a while with no problems that i can see,gives you time to get money sorted at least.

Mine had a small leak / weep at the top of the radiator when I bought it. I must admit I was initially tempted to put some leakstop in. Took it to local radiator experts. Luckily it was repairable without removal. Only cost £30. It was a lot cheaper than I expected. Reckon I was lucky but might be worth getting it checked out before you do anything. Advice from radiator people was free.

[goodjazz]

I put JB liquid metel on mine from the outside will let you know how it lasts

[TonyN]

I put JB liquid metel on mine from the outside will let you know how it lasts

Gripfill works for a few weeks!

[Silversurfer]

Gripfill works for a few weeks!

Iv'e used Radweld in the past to cure a leaking heater matrix on a Ford Granada and it worked a treat - I sold the car 5yrs later and it still hadn't leaked again.

[goodjazz]

Repair + One day, water leaking through the liquid metal. Another claim to fame down the pan!

[da SLUG man]

is this leaking from pin sized holes in the top of the rad?

see loads of surfs with repairs there.... dunno what they do, some have patches, some have gold (looks like braized)

[goodjazz]

is this leaking from pin sized holes in the top of the rad?

see loads of surfs with repairs there.... dunno what they do, some have patches, some have gold (looks like braized)

Yes seems a waste to pay for a new rad when some welding could stop the leak will ask around braize should work

[Rob]

hello knowledgable ones

i have a leak from radiator i think, got some stuff from autoshop, do i put this in radiator, back of container says put it in expansion tank if it's a sealed unit? or in rad. i have a 50/50 chance of getting it wrong so don't like my odds.

thanks in advance

paul

The answer to your question is: you put it in the rad, not the expansion tank. you'll have to to remove some of the coolant though (other half got a turkey baster?).
However, the others are right - its far better to cure the leak/problem than dumping a bottle of rad-seal in it, especially if you're planning to keep the truck for a while.