radiator cement (non-Moggy)

Post by **jojax64** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 3:20 pm

I had a couple of pinhole leaks in my van, so I bought 2 sachets of "Ce-lit" rad cement. I've used this stuff a few times in the past and it's always done the trick so I'd no qualms about using it in the van.
Got the van up to normal temp on a short run, then the temp gauge literally jumped off the scale.

Looks like this stuff has gunked up my radiator (at least) and I'm seriously dis-chuffed. The top hose gets hot, the bottom hose gets hot-ish, but the rad remains cold. I can't drive it anywhere, the header tank bubbles over like a steam train after a very short period. It was fine up until I used this stuff.

Is there ANYTHING I can do to remedy this situation?
Thanks in anticipation.

GGGRRRRrrrrrrrr!!!!!!

Post by **RogerRust** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:29 pm

try back flushing the rad to see if you can push the gunk out.

Post by **jojax64** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:32 pm

Doubt it....this stuff sets like concrete, apparently.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 9:08 pm

Maybe it's just blocked the thermostat - pull it out and see what happens with NO stat. Otherwise - back flushing/drain cleaner/another rad in that order!

Post by **jojax64** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 10:09 pm

I'm well hacked off. Surely this type of thing should not be happening.
This is one product I'll NEVER use again.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 10:12 pm

What kind of van ? And did it tell you to use TWO sachets ?

Post by **jojax64** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 10:20 pm

A Vauxhall Cobo van. The first sachet did not fix the leak, so a second was added. This is how I've had to use it in the past, as one sachet was never enough.....

Post by **Kevin** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 12:24 pm

Must confess the only ones I have used in the past were rad-weld and bars leak.
You can also try Willies trick kettle descaler.

Post by **Orkney** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 12:33 pm

Chap i know did the original & the later mexico rally that he always kept a couple of eggs in the car - reckoned the egg white was a good effective fix for a coolant leak - chuck it in it cooks hard rubbery white and plugs the hole under pressure. Not sure i'd want to clean up the mess after but can see it as a good last ditch fix if all else failed.

Post by **jojax64** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:43 pm

"You can also try Willies trick kettle descaler."

Is there a relevant thread you could point me to?

Post by **davidmayo** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:58 pm

next time dont use any of the cement specially designed for this job they take a long time to set and are too expensive. plastic padding does a fantastic fibreglass paste that i have used on dozens of holes in radiators and it has never failed me. plus it sets in minuits and lasts for decades

Post by **jojax64** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:21 pm

The mechanic picked up my van on a trailer last Wednesday. Since then I've heard nothing and I'm a tad concerned. I phoned yesterday and his secretary mentioned that he'd sent away the cylindar head for "testing", and it had only just came back.

I'm raging....still can't believe that this stuff could cause the problems it has. Shouldn't be sold IMO. I can envisage preparing a case to present to trading standards.

Post by **jojax64** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:47 pm

UPDATE:

Garage called today. Radiator had indeed been blocked solid by this gunk. No water circulating, and resultant cyl. head gasket blown.

So far, the head's been sent away...re-skimmed & tested. Rad refuses to be flushed out, so a new one is needed too. (Wish I'd just got a new rad to start with.

)
I'm dreading the bill, so un-necessary and I'm still raging at the damage this stuff has caused. Mechanic tells me he's seen a few similar cases, and advises NEVER to use this type of product on a cooling system with an expansion tank.