My radiator has a slow leak.

[warrior queen]

In the lily-car
This car still has the original single-core radiator from manufacture - it's 30 yrs old this year.
Trying to find a replacement now, but not having much luck.
I don't like using StopLeak in my engines, but in this case I may have no choice.

I love my older cars, but finding parts when needed is beginning to be a problem.

 

[unregistered]

 

[warrior queen]

This shit will work like a champ on a small leak:

http://www.goldeagle.com/products/product9D29.aspx

I have never seen that particular product in Oz.
The one I got yesterday has to be put into an empty radiator, so now I have to drain the coolant.
Which I can't do until I buy more coolant
My eldest son, who is only just beginning to learn about cars, suggested that I save the old coolant and put it back into the car.
He can't understand why I say that shouldn't be done.
Kids

 

[Sean]

Crack an egg into it.

 

[unregistered]

 

[Saint Peter]

Just get a new one.

There are a million after market radiator manufacturers.

 

[warrior queen]

Just get a new one.

There are a million after market radiator manufacturers.

The last place I spoke to tells me they can have a radiator here within 14 days (ahh, the joys of island life!)
I don't like to sit the cars for longer than about a week without a run - so I'll do the stopleak thing tomorrow and get the lilycar back on the road.

 

[Sean]

Crack an egg into it.

Seriously.

 

[Saint Peter]

They get old. A new one will provide better cooling than an old one with powdered glue pumped into it.

 

[Saint Peter]

Seriously.

We walk on two legs around here.

Give it a try.

 

[warrior queen]

Crack an egg into it.

I know the egg thing, and the pepper thing... but not so sure they are good for the rest of the engine!

 

[Sean]

We walk on two legs around here.

Give it a try.

She needs a quick fix, the egg works. It's not a long term solution, but it works and it's cheap.

 

[Sean]

I know the egg thing, and the pepper thing... but not so sure they are good for the rest of the engine!

If the water from your rad is getting into your engine, you have bigger problems than a fucked rad.

 

[unregistered]

 

[unregistered]

 

[semen4her]

Try bacon.

 

[BossMan62]

So youre sure its not your water pump?

 

[chillywilly2]

If its got tits, or tires, its gonna give you trouble

 

[Sir Victor]

I know the egg thing, and the pepper thing... but not so sure they are good for the rest of the engine!

Is it leaking at a seam joint or from an area where the fins are?

If it is out in the fin area and you can roughly pinpoint the area, mark it, let it dry, then take 2 part high temperature epoxy glue and push some into the fins where the leak is covering about a half inch round area, then cover with a half inch square of aluminum foil. Let dry for 24 hours. This has lasted a very long time for many people, or you can just use it as a temporary fix. It is better than putting that crap in the cooling system.

What kind of a car is it?

 

[warrior queen]

If the water from your rad is getting into your engine, you have bigger problems than a fucked rad.

No, I don't have a blown head-gasket. My oil is clear and light, not milky and yuck.
The leak is in the radiator, and can be clearly seen at the weld between the core and the top.
And, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the coolant circulate through the engine head? I'm saying putting egg into there will not be good. It migt be good for a quick-fix, but then how would you flush the head to get the egg out? Without pulling it apart, that is?

 

[unregistered]

 

[Sean]

No, I don't have a blown head-gasket. My oil is clear and light, not milky and yuck.
The leak is in the radiator, and can be clearly seen at the weld between the core and the top.
And, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the coolant circulate through the engine head? I'm saying putting egg into there will not be good. It migt be good for a quick-fix, but then how would you flush the head to get the egg out? Without pulling it apart, that is?

The egg congeals when it hits air, ie, at the leak. The water circulates AROUND the head, not in it. The head contains petrol, air and pistons.

If you can see the leak, bang some liquid metal on it.

 

[Sir Victor]

No, I don't have a blown head-gasket. My oil is clear and light, not milky and yuck.
The leak is in the radiator, and can be clearly seen at the weld between the core and the top.
And, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the coolant circulate through the engine head? I'm saying putting egg into there will not be good. It migt be good for a quick-fix, but then how would you flush the head to get the egg out? Without pulling it apart, that is?

Is the radiator copper color (under the paint) and soldered along the joints? That might be more like a 40 or 50 year old radiator but if it is soldered then a shop can fix it fairly easily.

 

[chillywilly2]

Just get longer hoses and put a big one in front of the grill...

 

[warrior queen]

Is it leaking at a seam joint or from an area where the fins are?

If it is out in the fin area and you can roughly pinpoint the area, mark it, let it dry, then take 2 part high temperature epoxy glue and push some into the fins where the leak is covering about a half inch round area, then cover with a half inch square of aluminum foil. Let dry for 24 hours. This has lasted a very long time for many people, or you can just use it as a temporary fix. It is better than putting that crap in the coolant system.

What kind of a car is it?

It's just below the weld at the top of the radiator, in the core itself.
A really horrid spot!

The lilycar is a Ford XD station wagon.
We're about to start doing her up - still debating though, because she's all original and in mint condition. Not even a crack in the dash!
She even has the original factory spare tyre that has never been used.