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Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Dirk on 14 April 2008, 19:10:15

Title: Radiator leaking
Post by: Dirk on 14 April 2008, 19:10:15
When I came home I discovered some water under the car and found out that it is on top of the radiator where the hose connects that goes to the engine.
It is a pin hole and it doesn't loose to much water but want to repair it or put a new radiator in asap.
Does a leak stopper help for these leaks or is it better to replace the whole radiator straight away?
If I go to a partco store or Halfords what will it cost me?
I have seen them on ebay for 106 Pounds but if I want to replace it this weekend then I probably need to pick it up from one of these stores.

At the moment for a quick fix I put some glue on top and some filler and tape and then 2 tieraps over it and it stopped to leak for now.
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: TheBoy on 14 April 2008, 19:21:28
Did it have a jubilee clip on it?

You'd have to ring round for prices and stock levels - nobody stocked a TD one when I wanted one :(
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: Dirk on 14 April 2008, 19:36:09
Yep clip is still on.
The hole is on the pipe where the hose connects to.
The hard plastic bit.
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: TheBoy on 14 April 2008, 19:40:51
Quote
Yep clip is still on.
The hole is on the pipe where the hose connects to.
The hard plastic bit.
Jubilee clip or spring clip?

All ones I've seen with that tube damaged are due to jubilee clip - which is why I think Vx use a spring clip.
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 14 April 2008, 19:43:11
Quote
Yep clip is still on.
The hole is on the pipe where the hose connects to.
The hard plastic bit.

Could have sworn mine was aluminium :-?
Can you not bring the rubber hose further over to cover the hole and use a jubilee clip like Jamie said?
If the rad hose is ali you could get the hole welded up for say £20 :y
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: Kevin Wood on 14 April 2008, 19:44:26
I hated those spring clips at first, but have realised that they give a nice even clamping force all round and can't be over tightened. ;)

Kevin
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: Andy B on 14 April 2008, 19:46:42
Quote
....
If I go to a partco store or Halfords what will it cost me?
I have seen them on ebay for 106 Pounds  ......

Mine cost around £200 on Trade Club from Vauxahll last year, V6 auto.
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: TheBoy on 14 April 2008, 19:47:27
Quote
Quote
Yep clip is still on.
The hole is on the pipe where the hose connects to.
The hard plastic bit.

Could have sworn mine was aluminium :-?
Can you not bring the rubber hose further over to cover the hole and use a jubilee clip like Jamie said?
If the rad hose is ali you could get the hole welded up for say £20 :y
No, dont use jubilee clip, I'm thinking that may be route cause.
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: Dirk on 14 April 2008, 19:48:26
Unfortunately it is hard plastic and the hole is in the inner corner.
I was thinking of using a solder iron to close it that way but I think I will make this part only weaker.
If it was the hose itself then I would have replaced it already

Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: TheBoy on 14 April 2008, 19:50:20
Quote
Unfortunately it is hard plastic and the hole is in the inner corner.
I was thinking of using a solder iron to close it that way but I think I will make this part only weaker.
If it was the hose itself then I would have replaced it already

Not sure if chemical metal could be used to plug it?
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: Andy B on 14 April 2008, 19:50:24
Quote
.....
No, dont use jubilee clip, I'm thinking that may be route cause.

Only if you're ham fisted with 'em & tighten them as hard as possible. I had stainless Jubilees all round on mty Senator (even the dual ram) & never had any problems.
I do see your point though.
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: TheBoy on 14 April 2008, 19:51:38
Quote
Quote
.....
No, dont use jubilee clip, I'm thinking that may be route cause.

Only if you're ham fisted with 'em & tighten them as hard as possible. I had stainless Jubilees all round on mty Senator (even the dual ram) & never had any problems.
I do see your point though.
Its not so much overtightening, its the spring ones allow expansion/contraction with heat.
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: Kevin Wood on 14 April 2008, 19:56:51
Quote
Quote
Unfortunately it is hard plastic and the hole is in the inner corner.
I was thinking of using a solder iron to close it that way but I think I will make this part only weaker.
If it was the hose itself then I would have replaced it already

Not sure if chemical metal could be used to plug it?

I've repaired a thermostat housing with J-B Weld before. It was an ali casting though, so it probably didin't flex as much as a plastic radiator. Maybe worth a try.

Kevin
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: Andy B on 14 April 2008, 19:57:07
Quote
.....
Not sure if chemical metal could be used to plug it?

Not quite the same I know but ...... I sucessfully repaired fuel tank with something similar. Under water putty Something or other Bond I think. Came as a roll that you just cut a length off & kneaded it untill a uniform colour. It worked brilliantly
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: TheBoy on 14 April 2008, 19:58:54
Quote
Quote
.....
Not sure if chemical metal could be used to plug it?

Not quite the same I know but ...... I sucessfully repaired fuel tank with something similar. Under water putty Something or other Bond I think. Came as a roll that you just cut a length off & kneaded it untill a uniform colour. It worked brilliantly
The stuff I use is called Qwiksteel or something like that. I think they all work same way, with similar capabilities :)
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: Richie London on 14 April 2008, 20:21:07
mine was leaking from the same spot, couldnt repair it so i got one from this site for 60 quid including delivery
looked nearly new too, used this before and never had a prob

http://www.1stchoice.co.uk/

richie
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: Dirk on 14 April 2008, 20:21:07
Thanks for all the replies so far.
That quick seel will that work on hard plastic you think?
Might be worth a visit in B&Q tomorrow or Halfords.
Always cheaper then a new radiator  if it works  :)
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: TheBoy on 14 April 2008, 20:38:05
Quote
Thanks for all the replies so far.
That quick seel will that work on hard plastic you think?
Might be worth a visit in B&Q tomorrow or Halfords.
Always cheaper then a new radiator  if it works  :)
got 2 choices, either works or if doesn't ;)
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: Dirk on 14 April 2008, 20:50:36
I will let you know what the result is. :)
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: Andy B on 14 April 2008, 22:53:27
I've just had a look in the garage ( I was at work before) it's called Magic Bond (http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Devcon-Magic-Bond-Epoxy-Putty-28920.htm)
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 15 April 2008, 08:35:45
Got a spare good V6 radiator in the garage if your near Nottingham.
Title: Re: Radiator leaking
Post by: Dirk on 22 April 2008, 21:49:21
This weekend I cleaned the place where the leak is and used a compound glue but today it started to leak again.
I took out a soldering iron and whilst it was still leaking I melted the plastic a little bit , enough to stop the leak and then melted some plastic on it from some tie raps to give it a little bit more strenght and waited for half an hour.
I started the engine and let it run till the temperature was around 90 degrees and there is no leak visible.
So hopefully it is sorted bt will keep an eye on it for the next week.