Small leak in radiator

[Antallica]

Hey all,

Have a leaking radiator, looks to be a very small hole/split in the main grill section. Spits out in a small spray sometimes. Was wondering if there's maybe some thing I can use to patch it up rather than having to purchase a whole new unit?


Cheers.

[Motu]

You want a permanent repair or a temporary one that will let you down at the most inoportune moment?

[WINJA]

Hey all,

Have a leaking radiator, looks to be a very small hole/split in the main grill section. Spits out in a small spray sometimes. Was wondering if there's maybe some thing I can use to patch it up rather than having to purchase a whole new unit?


Cheers.
IVE DONE A FEW BIKES WITH AQUA KNEAD IT , MAKE SURE ITS CLEAN DRY AND SLIGHTLY ROUGHED UP , BEST TO LET IT CURE OVERNIGHT , DID A TL A FEW YEARS AGO AND ITS STILL SOING STRONG ,OR AUCKLAND RADIATORS CAN DO AN EPOXY REPAIR , CAREFULL GETTING IT WELDED IT CAN TURN INTO A FUCK UP REAL QUICK

[Antallica]

Hmm, yes Knead it, I have the metal version.... will have a think about that Winja mate :)

Would prefer some type of semi-permanent repair Motu. Just cringing about how much a new rad could cost.

[Motu]

So long as you are aware of when the debt is called......

[XTC]

This is another job for JB weld. Search trademe under j-b weld

[Antallica]

Hmm, seems to be spitting/spilling out of both sides. Found a rad on tardme for $180. A home fix is not recommended huh?

[myvice]

Don’t pissabout with cooling systems, get it out and have it ether re-cord or get a new one...
If it’s bad enough to have sprung a leek it will be as week as.
And do a system flush while you are at it, and use anti freeze!
If it keeps popping leaks out here and there you may have a blown head gasket too.
Sorry for the bad news.

[M1CRO]

After putting a stone through mine on the Great Northern Ride, I got mine fixed for $45.00 + GST. Guy did an excellent job and had to Chem wash it as well (something about the production process that leaves some film on it)..

Have done over 1,000 km since with no drama's

Place was Vercoe Radiators in Newmarket.
14-16 McColl St Newmarket Auckland

[Antallica]

I've only just got it back from the shop last week, they actually just did a coolant clean/change. Seems it all started after they did that :mad:, noticed it spitting out on the way home from picking her up.

[Motu]

Leaks are very common after a coolant service - loosens crap off corroded parts,then a few days or weeks later you have a leak.Not their fault,just means your cooling system is rooted - fix this one and then wait for the next leak....it'll come.

[F5 Dave]

You talking about the car? let it seize, German Cortina! Knock off the jacket & weld on some fins like a ‘dub.

My father taught me a trick when I was crying about my new home made tank a friend made for my bucket, first time I put gas in it (the night before a race meet, cause perkjobs only get finished then) it leaked.

So out came the epoxy & being a dentist he had a bit of dexterity (& some cool dental tools), but the idea was to open the pinhole big enough so that you could push some through so it mushroomed on both sides, making it hard to fall out. Successfully did this repair on my RZ rad some years later (& spaced the grill that had chaffed through). But 2 smoke rads don’t get as hot. JB weld might be the go, Devcon will handle the heat but JB is thinner.