Advice On Radiator Weld, Any Good?

[MSC_Kev]

Hi all.

Unfortunately my radiator has developed a leak. It's coming from the front of the radiator and appears to be coming out of the one of the metal fins. There is no apparent damage from an object hitting it and what I was wondering for a temporary fix until I can get it changed is using some radiator weld.

Click here for rad weld - Is this stuff any good to use?

Also looked on eBay for a replacement radiator and found this for £60, does anyone know if that's a good buy?

click here for link to radiator

I've got to travel to work tomorrow which is 30 mile round trip and I've topped up the radiator with water. I think I should be ok to get there. The leak is coming out like a pierced hole in a coke can, quite rapid.

Any help or advice would be appreciated

thanks

Kev

[GT4 BOOSTER]

rad weld is good for certain size holes only and will mess with your water ways . if you do use it GET THE NEW RADIATOR FOR SURE and have the system flushed and fresh toyota coolant added. it does seal most leaks pretty quickly though , i put it in my suzuki vitara and 4 months and 1 winter later it was still a / ok . I USED LIQUID RAD WELD FROM MY LOCAL FACTORS NOT THAT eBay LINK .

[LORD_ED]

tricky, id get a new rad for sure and if u have tor drive ur car wack in some rad weld

[MSC_Kev]

thanks for the quick replies.

I have to drive the car tomorrow before I can get any rad weld in the radiator, so I'll have to keep the water topped up. Also a Halfords is very close to me, I'm sure they would stock the rad weld, so I could nip there first in the morning.

If I did use the rad weld, it would just be a temporary fix for a few days until I could get another radiator to replace this one.

Kev

[GIDDLEPIN]

If you want to cure the leak, yes an excellent solution.

If you want to have problems with your cooling system and heater matrix----FORGET IT!!

Unless you're getting rid and don't have a conscience

[cfc1]

yep.. if the hole isn't too big.. rad weld will seal it up.. but new radiator and a good flush of the system will be needed.

[martin_longbow]

If it's just a simple leek I would be carrying lots and lots and lots of water until I changed the RAD soonest. If forced to I would use RADweld but would rather stop and top up water. Be careful opening the rad when hot and change before the temp builds up.

Is the leek that heavy, can you top it up until you get the new rad installed. If not as almost everyone has said you willneed to seriously flush the system to get the rad weld out.

Yes £60 seems cheep for a replacement. I would be going for a recon unit from as local a supplier as possible. What's your closest alternative to "strathclyde radiators" or "Norwoods"

[mikeb]

Radweld = bodge. If it bungs up holes in your rad, then it's also going to bung up the rest of your cooling system.

Try Abca radiators in Barwell, they might be able to recore your current rad, or supply a new one at a competitive price.

[Jimlad]

I've heard that radweld can do more harm than good.

[Karma Supra]

RAD WELD!! BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!

I personally would get another rad, flush the coolant system, replace the rad cap and thermostat, and fill up with 4life....

Then again my coolant system needs babying or it will throw a hissy fit and eat the headgasket :P

[JAHill]

My manager frigged his cooling system (on a a Fiat - fair play! :D) with rad-weld... Cost quite a bit more than a new rad.

I'd stick to lumbering a boot full of 2L coke bottles full of water for a couple of days and getting the radiator replaced.

[MSC_Kev]

I have ordered the new radiator and also some replacement radiator hoses considering they have been on the car since new. I will remove and replace on wednesday.

thanks for the help and advice, I'll let you know how I get on. I've borrowed my parent's Escort to see me until wednesday.

Kev

[Karma Supra]

Sod the hoses, a new thermostat and rad cap should be fitted too!!!

Be sure to fluxh the system out as well!

[MSC_Kev]

All sorted :)

took me just under a couple of hours, but a pretty straight forward job.

changed the radiator, flushed out the system, replaced both the rad cap and thermostat and topped back up with fresh coolant / antifreeze and she's back on the road :D

thanks for the help and advice peeps

[martin_longbow]

Splendid job's a goon-un

[Hou]

just a note to anyone who does want to use rad weld, remember to use small amounts as i have just has to blast oput a shed load from a zx heating system, with a pressure washer because it was blocked up with it

[martin_longbow]

just a note to anyone who does want to use rad weld, remember to use small amounts as i have just has to blast oput a shed load from a zx heating system, with a pressure washer because it was blocked up with it

Dude read the posts above. We wont say told ya so cause anything is ok in certain circumstances but there is clearly an aviodance theme running through the posts.

I hope you got it all out, the pressure water blow seems a bit harsh, must be !Removed! murderous stuff