Slight Radiator Leak
Discussion
I have it on good authority that Barrs Leaks not only works, but is used by at least one manufacturer in new cars - not cheap ones either - and this from someone involved in the design and testing of cooling systems. Can't say who for obvious reasons!
I've used it in the past and had no probs with blocked waterways etc, and it can help with slight leaks such as yours.
PS It might be worth looking at why the rad has started to split. I reckon that the rubber mount on that side hardens with age and puts extra stress on the rad - it should be free to move or when the engine rocks the rad will be stressed. You might want to add a couple of rubber washers to allow some more movement, or you might want to check your engine mounts, this could be an early sign that they are allowing the engine to move about too much. The passenger side one can melt and split into two, which can be hard to spot.
I've used it in the past and had no probs with blocked waterways etc, and it can help with slight leaks such as yours.
PS It might be worth looking at why the rad has started to split. I reckon that the rubber mount on that side hardens with age and puts extra stress on the rad - it should be free to move or when the engine rocks the rad will be stressed. You might want to add a couple of rubber washers to allow some more movement, or you might want to check your engine mounts, this could be an early sign that they are allowing the engine to move about too much. The passenger side one can melt and split into two, which can be hard to spot.
Edited by victormeldrew on Monday 8th January 12:03
Dont use BARS LEAK in your chim,that stuff cloggs the heater matrix like Andy-W said, and i have never seen any NEW car with what looks like a turd floating in the cooling system and it does,it works well but i would only use it in an old clonker thats not worth putting a new rad in.Get your rad repaired which you will have to do in the long run ,all these products are temporary only.
Edited by That Daddy on Monday 8th January 12:21
That Daddy said:
Dont use BARS LEAK in your chim,that stuff cloggs the heater matrix like Andy-W said, and i have never seen any NEW car with what looks like a turd floating in the cooling system and it does,it works well but i would only use it in an old clonker thats not worth putting a new rad in.Get your rad repaired which you will have to do in the long run ,all these products are temporary only.
It's BARRS Leaks! As in the product that at one time Jaguar recommended you add a bottle of at every service. 
yes ok BARRS leaks, its the same product im on about if you ask any motor fitter worth there oats they will say the same,it was the biggest cause of clogged heater matrix on granada mk1/2 models,so what if jaguar fitted it from new if there cooling systems were up to scratch they wouldent need it,oh yes while im at it this used to cause headgasket failure on Honda legends/rover 800 series 2.5/2.7 V6 because of the small drillings in the water jacket around the spark plug boss(they warn you of this on the packet),this is not my opinion but FACT,nothing personal Victormeldrew.
Girls 
Its worth getting rad out to be honest - I bought my chim with a slight rad leak - and when I investigated engine side of rad there was a small leak evident but nothing much. In the process of fettling my old girl back to the condition she was when new I decided to remove air filter and pipe work from front end. I touched the radiator and it just turned to powder.
Slight leak - my arse - the radiator had completly rotted away upon further ispection after removal.
Anyone know where I can get a new rad from - know its a Range Rover one and cant afford an alloy one.
Its worth getting rad out to be honest - I bought my chim with a slight rad leak - and when I investigated engine side of rad there was a small leak evident but nothing much. In the process of fettling my old girl back to the condition she was when new I decided to remove air filter and pipe work from front end. I touched the radiator and it just turned to powder.
Slight leak - my arse - the radiator had completly rotted away upon further ispection after removal.
Anyone know where I can get a new rad from - know its a Range Rover one and cant afford an alloy one.
I just got a standard Discovery radiator and it fitted straight in???
Not had any problems at all....cost was £60...bit better than the £100's charged for the genuine TVR item...???
www.equicar.co.uk I am sure i got it from these people. I shall dig out the receipt tonight and find out for sure who it was.
Not had any problems at all....cost was £60...bit better than the £100's charged for the genuine TVR item...???
www.equicar.co.uk I am sure i got it from these people. I shall dig out the receipt tonight and find out for sure who it was.
Must admit that the 'modified bottom outlet' had me scratching my head. I can't see whats been changed.
On the subject of Barrs. I have used the stuff for years on various cars without problems. I add a bottle to the system of every car I buy. Never had a problem or a leak!
It was one of the first things I did when I got the Chim. That was 3 years ago &, touch wood, no problems.
Still best to get the rad repaired if it's leaking though. I use Barrs in a healthy rad as insurance against loosing all the coolant
On the subject of Barrs. I have used the stuff for years on various cars without problems. I add a bottle to the system of every car I buy. Never had a problem or a leak!
It was one of the first things I did when I got the Chim. That was 3 years ago &, touch wood, no problems.
Still best to get the rad repaired if it's leaking though. I use Barrs in a healthy rad as insurance against loosing all the coolant
poorpete,i hope you never have to remove the heads for any reason.....but if you do you will see that brown gunge accumulated around all the small drillings in the head gasket,and laying in the nooks and crannies of the water jacket,it does cure leaks theres no question,but if i have a leak i want to know about it not have some turd like substance clog the hole,believe me i speak from years of the motor trade,im not giving it LARGE i am just trying to save people bother.If you have used it and your happy then good luck to you all.
Poorpete,pay special attention to the air bleed pipe on the swirl pot ali bottle shaped thingy,the diameter of the pipe is small and so easily clogged def recommend back flushing system and checking all the small hoses and fittings are clear.Andy w,thats interesting about the rad i was told it was modded,that info most useful.
Edited by That Daddy on Monday 8th January 16:15
poorpeet said:
Ok, due to change coolant anyway. Is it best to flush it out or is it too late now & it's there for good?
Many years ago I did a service on a volvo 340 and in my infinite wisdom decided to flush the system out.
Chicken or egg scenario coming up:
After flushing system loads of crap came out - excellent one thought - however next day water pump bearing had gone?
Was the crap keeping it together (I suspect so) or was it down to the flush.
In the old days they used to use dog crap as rad weld - so my Grandad told me - rad weld only really hides a problem for a while. Dont like the stuff myself.
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