Rough trax radiators ... ?

[Hesh]

Hi all .

Bought a roughtrax replacemet rad in May of this year, had nothing but problems with it, as the top hose steadfastly refused to create an effective seal despite many differing solutions.

final straw was on the way home last night, clouds of steam needle nudging red, and when i opened the bonnet a jet of water from the core about twelve inches below the top hose.

the toyota item is in pretty poor nick but lasted 17 years without leaking.


the roughtrax one SIX MONTHS!!!!!


Anyone had similar problems ? im ringing them on Monday to complain. for 150 quid i thought i was buying something worthwhile.

grrrr

[Surfer Ross]

Enough pressure in the cooling system to burst the radiator and still have a jet of water may indicate that a £150 radiator could be the least of your worries.

[NiftyNev]

Hi all .

Bought a roughtrax replacemet rad in May of this year, had nothing but problems with it, as the top hose steadfastly refused to create an effective seal despite many differing solutions.

Why did it not seal and what were the non effective solutions. Not rocket science to get a hose to seal. Is hose wrong size, or something else or was the radiator inlet at fault?

Nev

[Hesh]

sorted

Top hose just refused to seal despite new clip and gasket sealant. Sorted with PTFE tape and sealant then newer hose clips

New hose also from roughtrax.

The leak appears to have been a stone or other FOD. Holts radweld appears to have done the trick. Still not all that impressed though.going to get quotes to recore the original old one and keep as spare

[Albannach]

It's not RT's fault if you damaged their radiator with a stone or other foreign body. Likewise, it's not their fault that you tried to use an old clip to seal a new hose. Gasket sealant won't help seal a hose joint, there is proper stuff for that.

When you called them about the issues, what did they say?

[Hesh]

at Albanach

They recommended you pay more attention to what you read.

I used a new jubilee clip on both occasions plus new top hose from roughtrax. It appears the top hose mount diameter on the rt rad is ever so slightly smaller than original. Hence ptf tape, and gasket sealant to allow the hose to grip.

Granted the stone wasn't anything to do with Rt. Just bad luck. However their QT proceedures in terms of product sizing need addressing IMO.

[Albannach]

They recommended you pay more attention to what you read.

I always pay attention, they know that.

I used a new jubilee clip on both occasions plus new top hose from roughtrax. It appears the top hose mount diameter on the rt rad is ever so slightly smaller than original. Hence ptf tape, and gasket sealant to allow the hose to grip.

Why did you have to use a different, new, jubilee clip?

What are the diameters in question? Even if they are 'ever so slightly smaller', there should be no need for tape or sealant, the clip will compress the hose to seal it. A cheap clip won't, but a quality one will. I only ever use sealant (proper hose sealant - not gasket sealant, that won't work) as a 'belt and braces' thing.

However their QT proceedures in terms of product sizing need addressing IMO.

QT proceedures - what are those?

[red barron]

Im afraid your combination of sealant and PTFE tape is a recipe for disaster!
PTFE tape is primarily for sealing threaded joints and not used to pack out hose joints that don't fit correctly. You should keep an eye this fix (not too close, though!!).

[NiftyNev]

Actually, Permatex, Aviation Form-A-Gasket No3 is the best thing I have found to use on hoses and gaskets. Been using it for longer than I can remember.

It will not compensate for a poor fitting though, as with most other things, so it's not magic stuff.

A little tip for when installing hoses is to use this around the bead on the pipe and always install the clamps close to the bead. The bead is what does most of the sealing on any hose.

Nev

[NiftyNev]

Im afraid your combination of sealant and PTFE tape is a recipe for disaster!

Sure is. Reminds me of the time my neighbour had a loose bearing on a front load washing machine. I took over the bearing lock I had specifically for this situation, as it will compensate for a thou or two of wear. He decided he knew more and add Araldite to the shaft as well.

He also added sealant and tape to his new hot water system connections which were compression fittings. Guess what.........they leaked.

Nev

[Hesh]

cheers Nev.

Will look up the stuff you recommend. Thanks.

So far so good. No leaks, and all running good. We shall have to wait and see what happens.

At the risk of inviting yet more sarcasm from certain quarters, I'd like to point out I was requesting constructive replies from fellow owners based on experience and mutual acknowledgment of a grasp of rudimentary mechanics. I happen to hold a number of quals in this area, so next time perhaps constructive and helpful comments such as Nev's might come sooner?

[Albannach]

Actually, Permatex, Aviation Form-A-Gasket No3

Is that the dark brown gloopy stuff with the useless brush connected to the lid?

If it is, I use it too. Marvelous stuff.

[Albannach]

At the risk of inviting yet more sarcasm from certain quarters, I'd like to point out I was requesting constructive replies from fellow owners based on experience and mutual acknowledgment of a grasp of rudimentary mechanics.

That happens all the time on here, amateurs butting in with ill-informed or sarcastic comments. Niggles mee too.

I happen to hold a number of quals in this area, so next time perhaps constructive and helpful comments such as Nev's might come sooner?

The good thing about quals. is that you can easily sort out the wheat from the chaff. I always know when someone is talking shite and just having a whinge for the sake of it. I just ignore them after a few (normally 4) replies.