Radiator leak

[ecky]

Just had the Mot test (pass). Advisories states radiator small leak.
Have just looked at various web sites for products to stop the leak like Radwield etc.
Now in the comments, some are against using a stopleak product, they say it will block up the radiator and the heater rad' altogether.
Just wondering what the other members thoughts are on using this ??
Have looked at the leak and it is very small, not even a pin hole. just a bit of green running down the front of the rad'
But the MOT engineer must have seen it and reported it. ( maybe it dripped on him ) don't know.

Ecky.

 

[Richard n Ann]

The rad's come to the end of it's life I'd buy a genuine new radiator and fit it myself.

 

[glenn2926]

Just had the Mot test (pass). Advisories states radiator small leak.
Have just looked at various web sites for products to stop the leak like Radwield etc.
Now in the comments, some are against using a stopleak product, they say it will block up the radiator and the heater rad' altogether.
Just wondering what the other members thoughts are on using this ??
Have looked at the leak and it is very small, not even a pin hole. just a bit of green running down the front of the rad'
But the MOT engineer must have seen it and reported it. ( maybe it dripped on him ) don't know.

Ecky.

Is there a radiator repairs place nearby? I have had radiators repaired before now but the company I used is in Bradford, not much use to you. They have put new cores in, new headers, new bottoms, new inlet, outlets etc. Perhaps ask your mot guys.

Edit, do you have a classic car, vintage car rebuilders nearby? They will know someone.

 

[ecky]

The leak is so small, didn't want to go down that road just yet. Yes i do have a repair shop in mind, But though i'd try a brand of leak stop first as long as it dosen't cause more damage

 

[Al-Di]

a lot of rad leak cures dont work very well on aluminum cores or on plastic ends, as they realy on corrison to stick to, I.m not saying dont just bear in mind you may be wasting money, if the MH in your avatar is the one you can get replacements for about £60,

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[Spriddler]

I used Holts Radweld as an emergency cure whilst on tour in winter but it immediately 75% blocked my interior heater matrix. Helluva job to remove and replace it.
Exchange engine cooling rads are surprisingly inexpensive and usually quite simple to fit.

 

[TDub49]

Have a look at this. Might help. I have used K-Seal in the past (on a Nissan X-Trail that had gasket problems) and I have to say it seems to work fine.

The Best Radiator Stop Leak (Review) in 2022

A leak can be an expensive problem to fix. But, there's a fix with the best radiator stop leak, so make sure you choose from the top brand available!

www.carbibles.com

 

[Willbo]

Get a new rad then you won't have to worry about losing all your coolant when you are traveling.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Using radweld was the sort of thing I did when I was 18 running an old Vauxhall Viva on a budget of next to nothing.

Patching old stuff up is false economy IMO, how long will it be before it leaks from the other side? Or somewhere else when you're away from home and have to ring breakdown

 

[Catpirate]

Hi Radiators can be re-cored retaining parts of your original, may not be an option with a plastic radiator but is usually far cheaper than a exchange or new rad.

seen these on the interwebnet

Abbey Radiators: Unit 6 Parham Drive Boyatt Wood Industrial Estate Eastleigh, Southampton, SO50 4NU - Car Radiator Servicing & Repairs

Abbey Radiators: Unit 6 Parham Drive Boyatt Wood Industrial Estate Eastleigh, Southampton, SO50 4NU Car Radiator Servicing & Repairs in Southampton - AutoInsider Directory

www.autoinsider.co.uk

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[dunnah01]

Never had any problem using Radweld as a short term solution.

 

[Catpirate]

Just re-read one of your replies, in most modern engines (post 1990) water clearances in the engine and radiator can be fine, this can lead to blockages if a radseal type product is used. You are better off accepting the leak and repairing the rad when and if it gets worse. The downside is if the leak does get worse it may lead to a loss of coolant just when you do not want it (e.g. a cold rainy day when you are away). Yor choice but that leak is unlikely to get better, long gone are the days of breaking an egg into your rad..........

 

[mitzimad]

ive used them before and they can work never had a problem with blockges

 

[ecky]

Hi Radiators can be re-cored retaining parts of your original, may not be an option with a plastic radiator but is usually far cheaper than a exchange or new rad.

seen these on the interwebnet

Abbey Radiators: Unit 6 Parham Drive Boyatt Wood Industrial Estate Eastleigh, Southampton, SO50 4NU - Car Radiator Servicing & Repairs

Abbey Radiators: Unit 6 Parham Drive Boyatt Wood Industrial Estate Eastleigh, Southampton, SO50 4NU Car Radiator Servicing & Repairs in Southampton - AutoInsider Directory

www.autoinsider.co.uk

As i said the leak is so small, but will keep an eye on it and maybe later have it repaired or a new one fitted.
there is no water on the driveway from it. had a quick look under the bonnet nothing showing up here either. so will make sure i have a bottle of water with me every-time i go out. thanks for all the advice given on here and will keep the repair shop in my diary for the future.