argh!!!

Post by **moggie-tom** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:18 pm

I think I am discovering the 'joys' of owning a classic car. The engine kept losing power and sometimes cutting out. Last week I got to the end of the my street and it cut out so luckily I was able to push it back. I arranged to take it to the garage today and started it up first thing this morning to see if it would run and it did. Although I just went to start it now to drive to the garage and it wouldn't.... 'I know, I'll try the crank handle' and when turning the handle it knocked what I think is a plate someone has welded on to the bottom of the radiator to cover a leak, then the water from my radiator went streaming all down the road.... great.

Ahh, Morris Minors...

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:43 pm

when turning the handle it knocked what I think is a plate someone has welded on to the bottom of the radiator to cover a leak, then the water from my radiator went streaming all down the road....

Been there done that... At a petrol station, about to set off on a 100 mile drive home!

They all seem to have the steel plate on the bottom. Ironically, I think it's supposed to protect the thin brass bottom of the radiator from the starting handle, but if its edges are sticking up it's possible to get the end of the handle caught under it in such a way that it rips a hole in the tank.

Post by **mike.perry** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:06 pm

A new owner no doubt, persevere and it will soon settle down

Post by **katiekat** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:02 pm

Would a new radiator be needed in this case or could it be repaired?

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:06 pm

Turn it upside down and light the blowlamp, plenty of flux and make sure the metal is good and clean! Patience is then all thats needed, and a modicum of luck

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:52 pm

katiekat wrote:Would a new radiator be needed in this case or could it be repaired?

A lot will depend on the overall condition of the radiator.

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 7:17 am

katiekat wrote:Would a new radiator be needed in this case or could it be repaired?

I managed to bodge it well enough to get me home by soldering a bolt into the hole (emery paper, blowtorch, plumber's solder and flux bought from a local DIY shop). Later I soldered on a neater patch made from a piece of brass sheet.

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:44 am

I bet that looked good in the local DIY car park Alex, I bet you are now on their CCTV