Radiator quick fix

[bradderztvr]

Anyone got experience of radiator sealers like "K-Seal".
Just need something to tide me over until I get time to take it out and re-core it.
I've heard they can mess the heater matrix up.
Cheers

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Mate..You could use bar's leak in an emergency but then it might clog it and finish it off..(Like it did for mine)..It would be ok for a very short time or maybe not...Ziga

(Edited after thinking twice about it)
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=b...

Edited by mrzigazaga on Thursday 29th March 21:12

[Solitude]

Don't do it Roger.

I did and the rad went spectacularly leaving me stranded.

Subsequently, i sourced a new (better) rad which needed custom brackets made, new hoses, new fans, a new otter switch boss (22mm) welded on and work done to the swan neck too.

All of this has taken a lot of time, but i am happy as it is a definate improvement on the old system.

If you must, then simply swallow, and get the rad re-cored asap.....but from experience, DO NOT run on a temporary sealer....its just not worth it mate.

My 2p

Gavin


......and cue the "been running mine on an egg repair for nine years" comments !!

[TOPTON]

I been running mine on an egg repair for nine years


Only posted that to get my name listed loads of times

[wooly350i]

No no don't use it,I've still got bottles of the stuff here and i won't put it any of my cars or van now,spent image fortune on my van to keep 8th going and cleared all. The crud from its cooling system a lot of which was congealed dealer which had blocked its inlet manifold waterways,don't do it,bite the bullet and get a new rad,it'll be cheaper in the long run.

[whitewolf]

Don't do it... you'll regret it!!!

[adam quantrill]

Where is it leaking? If from the matrix you could stuff a load of liquid metal into the affected area (dry it off first with a blowtorch) and block it up from the outside. The recore will replace all the matrix anyway so no harm done.

The sealant stuff you put in the water works for a week or two then goes again because the vibration in a wedge is pretty bad, so don't bother.

[RCK974X]

Yeah, don't do it.

Sealers are for emergency only, 'cos they tend to block small holes and heater matrix, and heater valves, sometimes cause overheating in the block too.

Use something on the outside of the core, as suggested - anything that sticks and is solid. I have used that polyester putty stuff (knead two strips together) which works well.
Soldering will need the rad to be dry, by the time you've drained it you may as well get it out ?

[bradderztvr]

I get the message ..........."don't do it".....which I sort of guessed anyway.
Got a week off, so I whip it out and sort it. Not bad though it's lasted 15 years since the last recore - good value for money.
Cheers everyone

[njhucker]

I have used k seal twice. Once on my wifes old alfa 146 with a leaking head gasket. It did another 20k miles ( and then caught fire due to a split fuel pipe) and in my 4.0V8 Jag, where I used it to get me home (100 miles) and then had the fault rectified. If it's your rad,then it's worth using as a get u home measure. As it costs v little to had a rad rebuilt, I would get that done asap.
I had a head gasket go on my Taimar while blasting around mid wales. If I had some K-Seal with me, then I could have got home, but as it was I had to come home on a pick up truck. I always carry some now in the boot of my wedge, just in case.

[bradderztvr]

You seem to be right......it's good to have it in the boot just in case, but not as a medium term repair.
So.....Bonnet and lower valence off and removed rad tonight, ready to have it re-cored Monday. A couple of fixings sheered off, but all well apart from that.

[ChimpanLucky]

Like njhucker says it can get you out of trouble, or home from the Ace & a few more weeks motoring .

It can even offer a semi permanent repair if the rest of the cooling system is in good order.

I've seen it seal up a failing head gasket and sort leaking rads on cars that have gone on to do thousands more miles without issue.

The problems typically come when the rest of the cooling system is not in the best state of health, you will inevitably push the problem to the next weakest link in the system.

It's certainly not a replacement for regular and fastidious maintenance, which on any TVR is never going to be cheap.

These cars need looking after properly (especially when they are 20 or more years old) which simply can't be done on a shoe string.

K-Seal is not a miracle cure substitute for proper maintenance, but it definitely has it's place.

[dixiebabes]

I used it on my 1973 beetle in 1980 and never had any problems since!!!!! its the best stuff in the world not a drop of water on the drive since.

Have to top the cooling air up now and then though!

Dix

[ChimpanLucky]

dixiebabes said:

I used it on my 1973 beetle in 1980 and never had any problems since!!!!! its the best stuff in the world not a drop of water on the drive since.

Have to top the cooling air up now and then though!

Dix

Brilliant Dix, I heard it improves Beetle heater performance too?

Thicker air heats up faster and leaks out less.

Simple when you think about it, especially seeing as I have had a few Pickled Hens

[mrzigazaga]

ChimpanLucky said:

it improves Beetle performance too.

"Sounds like beetlejuice"....

[Conian]

Friend of mine used it in his Golf

Within 2 weeks he'd had new water pump
new thermostat
new heater matrix

... he just couldn't understand why they went almost at the same time.

[dixiebabes]

Serious though i have used it before on a zafira as the weld had cracked on the rad and started to leak. Never had a problem since and everything is working as normal still. You watch now iv said it!!!.

Dix