Best fix for a leaky radiator?

[mattman]

What do you recommend to fix a leaky radiator?

My passat is leaking from the bottom corner (known fault apparently) would rather not lump out £300+ for a new rad just before the family holiday, so was thinking radweld or similar would give me a temporary fix I need - any suggestions?

[Vidal Baboon]

JB Weld.

I'll keep an eye out on mine- I was unaware that they go. What causes that then?

Edited by Vidal Baboon on Monday 26th July 13:50

[staceyb]

Holts RadWeld Plus
http://www.holtsauto.com/products/group/repair-and...

[Ganglandboss]

Why has a car question been moved to Homes. Gardens and DIY?

[mattman]

Confused!! its for a passat not a house radiator!!

55 plate passat, just started leaking a few days ago - can't see it from the top of the engine or underneath due to the plastic covers, so will try Radweld plus and see how we get on

[DeputyDawg]

Bars or K-Seal, but be aware that the latter creates a metallicy stink (does dissipate after a while) in your heating system, although it is very good at curing the leak.

[Vidal Baboon]

Am I the only person that wouldn't want to put something in the coolant to seal it?

Wouldn't it just gum things up in the future?

[djt100]

mattman said:

What do you recommend to fix a leaky radiator?

My passat is leaking from the bottom corner (known fault apparently) would rather not lump out £300+ for a new rad just before the family holiday, so was thinking radweld or similar would give me a temporary fix I need - any suggestions?

Are you using the car for the family holiday, if surely the question shoudl be do you really want to risk breaking down, being taking to a garage that is going to sting you for a new rad, or get it sorted at a fair price before you go.

[mattman]

No - not using it for the holiday - so don't want it to dump all the fluids while we're away - just want something that'll last for a few weeks to give me a bit of breathing space

[saladdodger]

mattman said:

What do you recommend to fix a leaky radiator?

My passat is leaking from the bottom corner (known fault apparently) would rather not lump out £300+ for a new rad just before the family holiday, so was thinking radweld or similar would give me a temporary fix I need - any suggestions?

300+, you sure. That seems alot.

I got a BMW 2.5 rad new for 100

[mattman]

that was a fitted price - not a job I really want to attempt myself to be honest

[staceyb]

We changed the audi's radiator in about 2 hours, and we aren't what you would call competent mechanics.

[varsas]

I wouldn't want to put something in the coolant, I'd be worried about it clogging the water ways and heater.

I have used this stuff:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Of course you need to be able to see the leak...fine if you can remove the radiator...at least with this stuff you won't break something else.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Vidal Baboon said:

Am I the only person that wouldn't want to put something in the coolant to seal it?

Wouldn't it just gum things up in the future?

Nope, you're not. Regrettably a knackered radiator needs a proper fix.

[mk1fan]

Why not just drain the system and leave it empty whilst you're away. Then fix it on your return?

[busta]

Go to a landrover dealer and get some rad pellets. They are an official landrover accessory, so presumably they aren't going to destroy your engine as some here would hope otherwise you'd hope they wouldn't sell them!

[freecar]

mattman said:

that was a fitted price - not a job I really want to attempt myself to be honest

Don't be too scared, I did one in my old boxster with no manual or anything! And I couldn't see the engine!!

If you can get to the leak fix it from outside as I too am slightly concerned about putting goop inside the engine!

[Jake.]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Vidal Baboon said:

Am I the only person that wouldn't want to put something in the coolant to seal it?

Wouldn't it just gum things up in the future?

Nope, you're not. Regrettably a knackered radiator needs a proper fix.

I wouldn't put Radweld or crap like that into a car either. However, I once did an emergency repair on a Honda Accord radiator for my (then) housemate's boyfriend, by filling the hole with p38 body filler (after removing and drying the rad of course).
A few years later I bumped into him and he mentioned that the car was still running with the same radiator and still had the P38 repair!

[NiceCupOfTea]

Don't touch radweld and the like - if it gums up your cooling system it will cause a load of grief.

Changing a rad is easy, give it a go! Leave a bowl under it while you're away.

[TheEnd]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Don't touch radweld and the like - if it gums up your cooling system it will cause a load of grief.

Changing a rad is easy, give it a go! Leave a bowl under it while you're away.

everyone always says that, but there isn't much evidence of it happening