Radiator leak.

Discussion in 'General Automotive Tech' started by Xavier, Feb 4, 2012.

  1. McLizard

    McLizard New Member

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    Like people have said it is hard to tell from a distance and it is likely to be the plastic top tank. They get brittle and crack (usually length ways). Here is some good news though. If you can be certain that it is the top tank they can be replaced without buying a whole new radiator. Or it may be the seal between the tank and the radiator, even cheaper. I have had some success with repairing the plastic cracks by emptying the coolant cleaning the %&#^ out of the area, sanding and then using a 2 part epoxy resin to glue a patch over the top.... I have considered fiber glass also but not tried it......
     
  2. Stormin' Norman

    Stormin' Norman Well-Known Member

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    If all else fails, use a can of black pepper to fill the hole. Pour it into the rad, as she's warming up, close her up and let it idle. Works great on copper and brass rads, and I'm pretty sure its non-reactive with aluminum, since aluminum pans and pots withstood pepper for decades (AKA WearEver).
     
  3. 200OZ

    200OZ Well-Known Member

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    X2.... a few spoons full of pepper in the radiator will stop the leak. Works every time.

    Mike
     
  4. Xavier

    Xavier Classic Goth

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    Um... How does the pepper seal the leak?
     
  5. 1tireman

    1tireman Well-Known Member

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    Just like the alumaseal, as water circulates they clog up the hole
     
  6. ModelT1

    ModelT1 Still Lost in the 50's

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    Can't hurt anything to try the pepper.

    Remember breath deeply while pouring in the pepper!:banana::bouncy:
     
  7. Xavier

    Xavier Classic Goth

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    Breathe I shall, but not anywhere near my hands. :rofl2:
     
  8. ModelT1

    ModelT1 Still Lost in the 50's

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    I bet you still sneeze!:rofl::rofl::rofl2:
     
  9. Xavier

    Xavier Classic Goth

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    It takes a lot to make me sneeze. I eat onions and garlic raw and when we cook I'm in charge of grinding the pepper.
     
  10. Stormin' Norman

    Stormin' Norman Well-Known Member

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    Nice try!:biglaugh: He ain't no April Fool!:rofl2::rofl2::rofl2:
     
  11. ModelT1

    ModelT1 Still Lost in the 50's

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    My comment about this is NO COMMENT !:yahoo:
     
  12. Blackfoot

    Blackfoot Wagonless Soul

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    Fine saw dust will also work. I have used egg whites in demo cars(no I never demo'd a wagon, only a rotted out 68 Impala 4 door, 85 Delta, 77 Imperial, 78 Granada and a 85 Honda Accord) Not sure about tryin egg whites in a daily driver, might plug stuff up, but then again, you have the pepper added, just wait for some to float under the filler neck and stab it with a fork and have some breakfast.
     
  13. Xavier

    Xavier Classic Goth

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    Too late, Cat. You just made a comment. :rofl2:

    Mmmm radiator breakfast. Just like momma used to make. :rofl:
     
  14. knighttemplar

    knighttemplar New Member

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    The thing is... Murphy's Law- If you try stopping up the leak it, most likely, will work great. Until... You are in the middle of nowhere at night, in pouring rain without cell phone signal. At this point the #@%$!&^^ radiator will
    catastrophically fail... (yes, it happened to me :) )
     
  15. MotoMike

    MotoMike Well-Known Member

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    Poor Kia!!
     

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