Radiator leak! and Serpentine...

[scared but happy]

Went for a visit tonight and apon returning heard a hissing sound and found water p*ssing from the seam? at the top right (as viewed from front) above the hose on the radiator
Hopefully this is a seam leak as the pressure valve should open? anyone else had this problem.

Ok this needs sorting out (duh!)

1) Can this seam be soldered?
2) What does the radiator come from incase total loss (rover something)?
3) Is this an easy solder fix for a non TVR garage?
4) I do have the bible but how can you tell if it is serpentine engine.

I would take a picture but it is very dark out there!


Then went to pull handbrake on and the aluminum sleeve came off

[2 Smokin Barrels]

Bad luck dude.

Radiators can be repaired by any reputable radiator firm. Be careful getting it out though.

If you have power steering, the easiest way to identify a serp engine is one common alternator belt.


>> Edited by 2 Smokin Barrels on Sunday 3rd April 21:50

[Big Al.]

How long have you had the Chim?
Did you buy from a garage?
Did you get a warranty?

[GreenV8S]

scared but happy said:

1) Can this seam be soldered?

In principle, but you'd have to get a quote to see whether it was cost effective.

scared but happy said:

4) I do have the bible but how can you tell if it is serpentine engine.

Look at page 35, the top photo shows a serpentine engine, the bottom photo shws a pre-serpentine one. The most obvious difference, which is also how this layout gets its name, is the shape and routing of the fan belt. The serpentine engine has a flat belt with ribs on one side which zig-zags round several pulleys. The old style has V section belts which loop round three pulleys.

[scared but happy]

2 Smokin Barrels said:

Bad luck dude. Radiators can be repaired by any reputable radiator firm. Be careful getting it out though. If you have power steering, the easiest way to identify a serp engine is one common alternator belt.

Ok so its not too bad a job for good garage.
and sounds like a serpentine engine

Big Al. said:

How long have you had the Chim? Did you buy from a garage? Did you get a warranty?

Only had it for about about 2 months yes I did buy from a garage BUT and a strange idea I know on hindsight. but the warranty was return to garage at over 150 miles it seems a bit pointless plus I did get a huge discount. silly I know but..

[2 Smokin Barrels]

If you bought it from a garage it's worth a punt. Cost you nowt to have a go.

[scared but happy]

GreenV8S said:

scared but happy said: 1) Can this seam be soldered? In principle, but you'd have to get a quote to see whether it was cost effective. scared but happy said: 4) I do have the bible but how can you tell if it is serpentine engine. Look at page 35, the top photo shows a serpentine engine, the bottom photo shws a pre-serpentine one. The most obvious difference, which is also how this layout gets its name, is the shape and routing of the fan belt. The serpentine engine has a flat belt with ribs on one side which zig-zags round several pulleys. The old style has V section belts which loop round three pulleys.

OK it is serpentine then although 4L I can VERY clearly see the diffence. but my expantion tank is on the left hand side (viewed from front) not at the front as per picture. I read that the top is blue (page 138) mine is black.

and if not cost effective the radiator comes from? looks like an SD1?

[Big Al.]

scared but happy said:

Big Al. said: How long have you had the Chim? Did you buy from a garage? Did you get a warranty? but the warranty was return to garage at over 150 miles it seems a bit pointless plus I did get a huge discount. silly I know but..

If you have a warranty the seam leak should be covered, mine was on two occasions, both replacements rads, each time.

[JonRB]

scared but happy said:

but the warranty was return to garage at over 150 miles it seems a bit pointless plus I did get a huge discount. silly I know but..

Get a quote for a rad recore. You're looking at £200-£300 including labour I would guess (if using an independant).

Compare that with the cost in time, petrol and inconvenience with doing the 150 mile trip to your dealer.

Do the maths. Make your decision.

[Ribol]

I took my rad out recently and got it recored, the outlet pipes are different to standard rads so not off another vehicle as such. Mine wasn't leaking but was not cooling as it should anymore so got it sorted before summer set in.
Not a difficult job to do yourself if you are a bit handy, I swopped the otter switch for a slightly "earlier" one at the same time, works a treat now.
Not worth trying to repair a rad leak unless the rad is not very old, the core efficiency drops off with age anyway.

[19560]

scared but happy said:

If not cost effective the radiator comes from? looks like an SD1?

Don't know but I would have guessed at Range Rover. No matter I think that you need to track down this www.tvrcc-south-wales.co.uk/chimaeraparts.asp Says moved to this forum but where? Good luck, Jonathan

[mick_coupe]

I think this is the list www.parkersteve.dsl.pipex.com/chimaeraparts.asp

but doesn't list the radiator

Mick

[jonnyb]

The rad its self is from a range rover but the inlet and outlets have been modified by TVR to fit the car. The rad is quite straight forward to remove, and with two people you dont need to remove the bonet. I would say a rad recore would be the cheapest option.

[scared but happy]

Thanks all.
I am waiting for the local garage to sort it this morning. Sounds like a recore job. Hopefully not to expensive (yeah right)