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radiator woes

Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 6:37 pm
by Budgie
Rite if I could have turned around and caught the lorry driver that was the culprit for flicking up chippings from his tar lorry then I wouldn't be writing this now however , as a result of these flying chippings my radiator took the brunt of one and has now sprung a leak at the top fins :x so my questions are ;

1. Has anyone tried with long term success ,rad weld in their car radiator?
2.Is it just the two bolts each side and the top and bottom hoses that keep the radiator in place [ I did take one out over 25 years ago and can't remember]?
3.Is it best to get it exchanged / repaired?

Cheers :(

Mike.

Re: radiator woes

Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 6:52 pm
by lambrettalad
first choice ,depending on cost ,exchange,second repair ,third there is a new product,can't remember the name that at least two people i know raved over ,try a google ,good luck :D

my experience with rad weld is 0/100

Re: radiator woes

Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 8:02 pm
by Boomlander
Avoid Radweld, it can find its way into places where it can cause blockages.
The two bolts each side of the rad release it from its surround and it simply slides up and out.
Take it to a reputable local radiator reconditioner - it won't cost the earth to be repaired and pressure tested.

Re: radiator woes

Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 9:01 pm
by bmcecosse
Rad weld etc is fine for 'get-you-home' - but not for long term repair. Unless confident of being able to solder it up yourself -off to a specialist rad repair place.

Re: radiator woes

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 9:23 pm
by MikeNash
Have used Radweld for years, indeed my previous rad depended on it. So I'm quite opposite the above! Regards, MikeN.

Re: radiator woes

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 9:31 pm
by lambrettalad
MikeNash wrote:Have used Radweld for years, indeed my previous rad depended on it. So I'm quite opposite the above! Regards, MikeN.
Does this mean you had to keep on using it :-? over and over again :-?


http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=287132

try that link for further discussion

Re: radiator woes

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 9:47 pm
by MikeNash
No, just put in the once each time. Thinking about it, my previous Traveller rad had it and cured a really big leak for at least ten years. I've gone back to its original 1963 rad to see if a previous owner's soldering has worked (it has).
Radweld was used in the '60s on my old Viva and its in my 1935 Oxford. I've always regarded it as permanent repair - have I just been lucky? Regards, MikeN.

Re: radiator woes

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 9:49 pm
by bmcecosse
I wouldn't want to rely on it Mike....but your experience seems to suggest it works!

Re: radiator woes

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 10:01 pm
by Trickydicky
When my round heater developed a leak 2 years ago I struggled to find a good replacement so I took a chance with this,
http://www.wilcodirect.co.uk/product/se ... eak-repair
To date I have had no leaks or issues.

Re: radiator woes

Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 9:08 pm
by JOWETTJAVELIN
Get it to your local 'independent' radiator repair man. You'll be surprised at how cheap a repair will be.