Radiator disaster!!

[martin_t]

Well, I'm putting myself up for ridicule by admitting this, but I need someone to give me some reasurance or good news because I'm a little hacked off to say the least!!! While drilling the holes in the top of my radiator so that I could fix a support frame for the fan, the bleeding drill broke. It snapped off and the end of the drill stubbed into the radiator!! I know (hind sight etc etc) I should have covered the rad in some way but it was the last hole and you just get cocky I suppose!! Anyway, is it repairable, can I do it myself or is it bad news? The main damage is the second tube down from the top of the rad (see pic) Don't think the one above is split.

A very unhappy Martin

[Miket]

You could be lucky and it could have just flattened the core, trouble is, you won't know till it's fitted.

[TINKA]

You have nothing to loose in trying to repair it, but for the sake of reliability it needs to go away to either be repaired or re-cored Sorry I know that is not what you want to hear.

[martin_t]

Originally Posted by Miket

You could be lucky and it could have just flattened the core, trouble is, you won't know till it's fitted.

Hi Mike

Looking at it (as much as it pains me!!) I think there is a small hole in the core. I have read somewhere that you can put solder on it but need advice on that. Maybe best to take it to a proper rad repair place and hopefully they won't suggest I have to have a complete new core!!

Cheers

Martin

[Purple AK]

Martin. Don't try and fix it yourself. Take it to a specialist repairer they know what they are doing (no disrespect) I had the same thing on the van and as much as i tried to solder it it leaked more! The specialist just chopped the offending tube out and sealed the ends! And wouldn't even take a drink for it!

[martin_t]

Originally Posted by Purple AK

Martin. Don't try and fix it yourself. Take it to a specialist repairer they know what they are doing (no disrespect)

Hi

Yeah I have to agree. It's to important a component to risk botching!! Any Idea on worst case scenario cost? The radiator cost £200 from GD, so any repair has to be a lot less than that otherwise its not worth it!!!

Cheers

Martin

[Purple AK]

Originally Posted by martin_t

Hi

Yeah I have to agree. It's to important a component to risk botching!! Any Idea on worst case scenario cost? The radiator cost £200 from GD, so any repair has to be a lot less than that otherwise its not worth it!!!

Cheers

Martin

See Edit

[alfiebeard]

Originally Posted by martin_t

Hi Mike

Looking at it (as much as it pains me!!) I think there is a small hole in the core. I have read somewhere that you can put solder on it but need advice on that. Maybe best to take it to a proper rad repair place and hopefully they won't suggest I have to have a complete new core!!

Cheers

Martin

It does'nt look that bad to me, I have repaired far greater damage than this using a miniture gas blow lamp, 1st you must get the area very clean using Hydrochloric acid, then get some bakers fluid onto the area to be soldered, you then apply heat onto the area whilst feeding the solder onto the damaged area, you must try to localise the heat to the one tube at a time, when done pressure test to 20psi then remove any flux or acid remains by washing with soapy water, then if ok paint with matt black paint. if you feel you cannot build up the courage to do the job, look in the yellow pages for your nearest Serck Services radiator repairer and take it to them they will solder it up for you.
HTH
Alfie B
Alfie B

[TonyD]

Get yourself over to Grantham radiators or another specialist and let them sort the job out for a couple of quid. Its not worth the aggro , worry, risk and disappointment trying to fix it yourself.

Cheers,

Tony

[martin_t]

Originally Posted by TonyD

Get yourself over to Grantham radiators or another specialist and let them sort the job out for a couple of quid. Its not worth the aggro , worry, risk and disappointment trying to fix it yourself.

Cheers,

Tony

Hi

Went to Lincolnshire Radiators in Lincoln on the way home from work today and they fixed it while I waited. Charged me £25 but pressure tested it etc so I know its Ok. I guess thats a lesson learnt, and I'm sure there will be plenty more!!!

Martin