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radiator cement (non-Moggy)
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 3:20 pm
by jojax64
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!!!!!!

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:29 pm
by RogerRust
try back flushing the rad to see if you can push the gunk out.
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:32 pm
by jojax64
Doubt it....this stuff sets like concrete, apparently.

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 9:08 pm
by bmcecosse
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!
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 10:09 pm
by jojax64
I'm well hacked off. Surely this type of thing should not be happening.
This is one product I'll NEVER use again.

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 10:12 pm
by bmcecosse
What kind of van ? And did it tell you to use TWO sachets ?
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 10:20 pm
by jojax64
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.....

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 12:24 pm
by Kevin
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.
Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 12:33 pm
by Orkney
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.
Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:43 pm
by jojax64
"You can also try Willies trick kettle descaler."
Is there a relevant thread you could point me to?

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:58 pm
by davidmayo
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
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:21 pm
by jojax64
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:47 pm
by jojax64
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.
