Replacing the radiator?

[greenster]

I am nearly at the SVA stage and have just been fitting all the trimmings etc, after getting he car back from being sprayed.

I have unfortunately developed a leeking radiator. I am not yet sure of the cause of this but when the engine gets up to temperature I get plooms of steam coming from the radiator., and a slight trickle of coolant running down it.

The radiator was brand new, as supplied bu pilgrim and it has not been bumped during the build. However whilst tinkering with the engine the other day, the top hose threw itself off under the pressure of the coolant. Could this pressure be enough to cause a small hole to form in the radiator?

I've already put one small tub of radweld in, but it doesn' t seem to have done the trick. I will probably try some more, but failing that I may need to replace the radiator. has anyone done this with the body in place? How easy is it?

Could anyone reccomend any other products hat are better than radweld?

I'm off skiing next week, but any advice on the matter will be gratefully received.

Thanks

Greenster

[gwak76]

Rather than pouring in more gunk I would recommend removing the radiator, get it repaired or replaced, sooner or later its going to leak again and you bet at the worst time.

I would hope the radiator cap let go before the radiator or hose, what rating is your cap?, I know every set-up is different but I run a 15psi and never had any problems yet. Loosing a top hose could be real nasty but I can’t see it blowing a hole in the radiator, pass on that one.



Removal is not too difficult, remove the over rider studs radiator hoses etc, pull it out through the wheel arch. Do yourself a favour and cover the matrix both sides with cardboard, there’s lots of sharp bits just waiting to put another hole in it.

[catchpic]

That seems to be a good argument for not fibre glassing the inner wheel arches in.

[Miket]

Originally Posted by greenster

I am nearly at the SVA stage and have just been fitting all the trimmings etc, after getting he car back from being sprayed.

I have unfortunately developed a leeking radiator. I am not yet sure of the cause of this but when the engine gets up to temperature I get plooms of steam coming from the radiator., and a slight trickle of coolant running down it.

The radiator was brand new, as supplied bu pilgrim and it has not been bumped during the build. However whilst tinkering with the engine the other day, the top hose threw itself off under the pressure of the coolant. Could this pressure be enough to cause a small hole to form in the radiator?

I've already put one small tub of radweld in, but it doesn' t seem to have done the trick. I will probably try some more, but failing that I may need to replace the radiator. has anyone done this with the body in place? How easy is it?

Could anyone reccomend any other products hat are better than radweld?

I'm off skiing next week, but any advice on the matter will be gratefully received.

Thanks

Greenster

Flush the rad, fill with fresh water and use a Barr's leak as per instructions, my heater rad on the AK was pi44ing out water and it cured it, this was 2 years ago, I have since reflushed the rad again and it still stayed sealed.

[yakman]

Do you know that Pilgrim knows the general radiator the y furnish is too small for the heat to evacuate usually so they can provide a bigger one that will do a very good job...my mechanic just did the change on mine ...and i will also upgrade with an oil cooler.

[greenster]

thanks for all the feedback..will get round to sorting it later this week...
greenster