Morris Minor Owners Club

My apolgies in advance for referring to a non Morris minor but the Problem could apply just as well.

For many years now I have used rainwater in the cooling System of my austin eight and every autumn drained it off as the temperatures here in winter can be extreme sometimes. This spring however, I decided to refill with an antifreeze mix to save me the bother in future of this draining and refilling.

A few minutes ago, due to a damp patch on the floor of the Garage, I investigated for leaks and found the Radiator oozing out ( perhaps weeping is a better description) in several places.

Can it be that antifreeze is more .....thinner I suppose (????) ,,than water? Or maybe even aggressiver? In any case, I do not intend to use any "stop leak" substance but have the rad repaired.

Due to the nature of the compound, antifreeze has the capacity to seek out the smallest of holes in the water system so in one way it's done you a favour I'd say.

get your self some k seal for a good perminant repair

Repair the rad. German engineering!

what is k seal ??

There are some firms who do repairs, just as in the island: I have just had an internet look.

.........and Budgie, I tend to agree -

It's not a good idea to run with no anti-freeze even in the summer as it acts as a corrosion inhibitor too, also corrosion happens most with a good supply of oxygen so draining the system for the winter is actually making it worse. Keep the system filled with as least 60/40% water/anti-freeze mix and only use the blue one as others can actually harm our old internals, engine that is
Using rain water is good that's what I use along with the anti-freeze.

depends on what you want to pay a new rad is not that expensive , i used k seal on my saab as i had a 2 week wait for a new rad , my dads car had a leak and i used k seal in that and its still holding out good stuff better than rad weld wich clogs everything up