Advice on tiny radiator leak please - TVR Chimaera

[zed4]

Hi,

I noticed my radiator has developed a tiny leak at the top, when it's warm is slowly weeps/bubbles out. It's very small and I'm not losing a noticeable amount of fluid, but it's not going to get any better in the summer!





So what should I do? Repair it myself with some kind of fluid or other repair. I guess this will only be temporary. Send it away to be repaired at a radiator specialist? What's that likely to cost? Or I can fit a new alloy rad, will cost me about £380 plus my time to fit it. TVR radiators are more expensive again, around £500.

What would you do, bearing in mind the summer is on its way!

Dan

[jamieduff1981]

You know yourself that fluids won't help and you don't really want to pour that stuff in to your V8 water jackets.

I'd just bite the bullet and get your aluminium radiator, fixing it permanently and properly.

[zed4]

I'm definitely not keen on pouring strange chemicals and fluids into the coolant! The other option is a bit of chemical metal type stuff, but again, it feels like a bit of a bodge!

[Fire99]

If you don't want to get your bottom smacked for an aluminium rad, you can get your existing radiator re-cored. Probably change out of 200 quid and likely to be better than new.

Even if it's a tiny leak, the likelihood is it will only get worse and our TVR's are marginal on their cooling at best.

[AceOfHearts]

It wont need re-coring as its not the core that is leaking. I had a leak in the exact same place and fixed it temporarily with chemical metal (3 years ago!)

It has been fine since but there is a good radiator guy near me that would only charge £50 or so to braze it back up.

Personally i wouldn't go aluminium as they have more reports of failures than the standard rads!

[TVR Beaver]

Take it out.. take it to a rad place.. get them to evaluate the condition of the rad... if the core is okay it will cost £25 to solder up... re-fit

If not, get it re-cored but why would the core need doing.. it's on the end cap that will take 10 mins to sort

[s p a c e m a n]

If the rest of the radiator is fine I would chemical metal that and plan to upgrade it in the future when I was doing something else in the area.

[Fire99]

AceOfHearts said:

It wont need re-coring as its not the core that is leaking. I had a leak in the exact same place and fixed it temporarily with chemical metal (3 years ago!)

That's useful to know... Thanks

[Simond S]

Assuming that it is a metal part could you not braze it?

Even the diy pructs (super alloy / durafix) should be ok for a small hole.

[TVR Beaver]

if you braze it, the rad will fall in bits as its soldered together (braze is a much higher temp than solder)...

just get them to clean the area and run a bit of solder in.. problem solved.. 10 mins and £25..

you could ask Daz to do it... he's a plumber

[zed4]

Some good advice here, thank you! I will find a local radiator place and seek advice.

[zed4]

I've been offered a new alloy rad for £300 inc delivery. I am quite tempted to get it at that money!

[TVR Beaver]

How would you mend it if that started to leak

[zed4]

TVR Beaver said:

How would you mend it if that started to leak

No idea! The company have been recommended by a few people on here so I assume they're a good quality. Are you saying I would be better off sticking with my original rad?

[phazed]

zed4 said:

I've been offered a new alloy rad for £300 inc delivery. I am quite tempted to get it at that money!

Is that Aarrun Radiators?

if so, I am very pleased with mine.

[TVR Beaver]

I have for that very reason... I think V8GRF has also had some issues of late with a Ali rad?....

I guess the question you have to ask is why you are thinking of changing?.. has the old one not worked well enough??

[carsy]

How is your rad now John, any better ?

[TVR Beaver]

Hi Ian.. it is sorted!! runs like it did before??... a lesson in rad design there then

hows the oil going ??

Edited by TVR Beaver on Wednesday 16th April 15:38

[carsy]

TVR Beaver said:

Hi Ian.. it is sorted!! runs like it did before??... a lesson in rad design there then

hows the oil going ??

Edited by TVR Beaver on Wednesday 16th April 15:38

Re the oil, been for a couple of decent runs, infact just got back now and it doesnt seem to have moved. Give it another few weeks and i`ll get back to you.

[MPoxon]

TVR Beaver said:

I have for that very reason... I think V8GRF has also had some issues of late with a Ali rad?....

I guess the question you have to ask is why you are thinking of changing?.. has the old one not worked well enough??

I went for any Ali one in mine but that was only as the ali one was £100 cheaper than the original. The Ali one did offer an additional core (4 vs 3) and it is a 'racing radiator' so surely that is at least +5BHP