Radiators...talk to me.
Discussion
Pressure testing a radiator is very easy to do this yourself if you can blank the ends off with some hose and tube sealed and a end for your compressor , if you set the regulator to 20 psi and buy some gas leak detection spray if the rad is leaking it will bubble !! Or dissolve the rad in a kids paddling pool ?
DIY tip for you ;-)
Ste.
DIY tip for you ;-)
Ste.
QBee said:
stesrg said:
Or dissolve the rad in a kids paddling pool ?
DIY tip for you ;-)
Ste.
DIY tip for you ;-)
Ste.
no wonder alloy rads leak if they dissolve on contact with small children, never mind water......
Well I have got as far as trying to remove the bottom hose.
It will not budge, I've got a small bladed screwdriver between pipe and rubber tubing. But I can't get all the way round. Plus its bloody hot in the sun lol.
I've put it back, but at least I know its not the pipe under the expansion tank. Deff somewhere on the rad, doesn't seen to be the cores either.
I'll see what the pressure test throws up.
I take it do this via the expansion tank as per any car? Up to 22 psi.
Also I can not under swirl pot but to check level. Any tips, so far I've tried a bolster with grips, all it seems to do is break up the brass!!
It will not budge, I've got a small bladed screwdriver between pipe and rubber tubing. But I can't get all the way round. Plus its bloody hot in the sun lol.
I've put it back, but at least I know its not the pipe under the expansion tank. Deff somewhere on the rad, doesn't seen to be the cores either.
I'll see what the pressure test throws up.
I take it do this via the expansion tank as per any car? Up to 22 psi.
Also I can not under swirl pot but to check level. Any tips, so far I've tried a bolster with grips, all it seems to do is break up the brass!!
Edited by igiveup on Sunday 2nd August 13:06
igiveup said:
Also I can not under swirl pot but to check level. Any tips, so far I've tried a bolster with grips, all it seems to do is break up the brass!!
Use two "meaty" flat blade screwdrivers with the blades sideways and opposed through the slot (one blade against left side of slot the other on the right) they should mesh in the middle and form a "T" handle allowing you to exert the required force to break the lock.ukdj said:
igiveup said:
Also I can not under swirl pot but to check level. Any tips, so far I've tried a bolster with grips, all it seems to do is break up the brass!!
Use two "meaty" flat blade screwdrivers with the blades sideways and opposed through the slot (one blade against left side of slot the other on the right) they should mesh in the middle and form a "T" handle allowing you to exert the required force to break the lock.I replaced mine with an Allen headed one...
Phil
dazee said:
What are the additional steps needed if you have a car with aircon?
Can't think of any from when I did mine. I don't think the air con rad was attached to the radiator and the pipes didn't get in the way. That bottom hose on the radiator is the hardest part, think it took me 30 mins to get that off, the rest of the job takes seconds.Thanks all, going to be dropping car off tomorrow for a full system pressure test anyway now.
But tonight I will be doing my best to get that Swirl Pot cap off or I'm handing in my Man Badge.
Was also thinking of replacing it with one of these...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5pcs-1-8-034-1-4-034-3-8...
Good idea? Anyone got a better solution or a link to a better one. I think that is the correct size 1/2", might even pop to Wickes and have a look.
But tonight I will be doing my best to get that Swirl Pot cap off or I'm handing in my Man Badge.
Was also thinking of replacing it with one of these...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5pcs-1-8-034-1-4-034-3-8...
Good idea? Anyone got a better solution or a link to a better one. I think that is the correct size 1/2", might even pop to Wickes and have a look.
My TVR Guy has a socket with a very wide screwdriver blade - perfect for the job. Yes, that's the sort of thing that people replace it with. If you want certainty before ordering, ping an email to Phazed, as I think he has already done the change to allen headed and will know what he used.
igiveup said:
Thanks all, going to be dropping car off tomorrow for a full system pressure test anyway now.
But tonight I will be doing my best to get that Swirl Pot cap off or I'm handing in my Man Badge.
Was also thinking of replacing it with one of these...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5pcs-1-8-034-1-4-034-3-8...
Good idea? Anyone got a better solution or a link to a better one. I think that is the correct size 1/2", might even pop to Wickes and have a look.
I would say not that because there's no seal round the top ...But tonight I will be doing my best to get that Swirl Pot cap off or I'm handing in my Man Badge.
Was also thinking of replacing it with one of these...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5pcs-1-8-034-1-4-034-3-8...
Good idea? Anyone got a better solution or a link to a better one. I think that is the correct size 1/2", might even pop to Wickes and have a look.
The one I used was from Steve Heath but he gave up trading I believe ...
igiveup said:
Thanks all, going to be dropping car off tomorrow for a full system pressure test anyway now.
But tonight I will be doing my best to get that Swirl Pot cap off or I'm handing in my Man Badge.
Was also thinking of replacing it with one of these...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5pcs-1-8-034-1-4-034-3-8...
Good idea? Anyone got a better solution or a link to a better one. I think that is the correct size 1/2", might even pop to Wickes and have a look.
The best thing for loosening the original slotted swirl pot cap is a short crowbar.But tonight I will be doing my best to get that Swirl Pot cap off or I'm handing in my Man Badge.
Was also thinking of replacing it with one of these...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5pcs-1-8-034-1-4-034-3-8...
Good idea? Anyone got a better solution or a link to a better one. I think that is the correct size 1/2", might even pop to Wickes and have a look.
Sounds brutal, actually isn't.
A short crowbar (jemmy bar) blade end fits the slot a treat and gives huge leverage and control without slipping, crack the swirl pot cap off with the bar and then remove easily with your fingers.
Just remember if the engine is up to temperature make sure you put a heavy rag over the cap as you wind it out or you'll be sure to scold your hand.
Trust me a crowbar is the perfect tool for the job and most of us have one in the shed, if not borrow one from a mate
ChimpOnGas said:
The best thing for loosening the original slotted swirl pot cap is a short crowbar.
Sounds brutal, actually isn't.
A short crowbar (jemmy bar) blade end fits the slot a treat and gives huge leverage and control without slipping, crack the swirl pot cap off with the bar and then remove easily with your fingers.
Just remember if the engine is up to temperature make sure you put a heavy rag over the cap as you wind it out or you'll be sure to scold your hand.
Trust me a crowbar is the perfect tool for the job and most of us have one in the shed, if not borrow one from a mate
I have a crowbar, should have used it yesterday really! I'll give it a go tonight when I get home -ta!Sounds brutal, actually isn't.
A short crowbar (jemmy bar) blade end fits the slot a treat and gives huge leverage and control without slipping, crack the swirl pot cap off with the bar and then remove easily with your fingers.
Just remember if the engine is up to temperature make sure you put a heavy rag over the cap as you wind it out or you'll be sure to scold your hand.
Trust me a crowbar is the perfect tool for the job and most of us have one in the shed, if not borrow one from a mate
These are what I was thinking of earlier, they're on ebay too but more expensive..
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/parts-and-p...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/parts-and-p...
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