radiator questions

[funbobby]

ive recently has my new car's rad recored due to a leak but there still appears to be small amount of water in front of the rad.unfortunatly i cant get to this to dry it off and work out if its new water.having shone a torch down the front of the rad there is a grey concertened pipe im wondering if this holds water or is it some kind of breather pipe? also how often would you expect to top up the expansion tank?

[spend]

The grey convoluted pipe is the windscreen washer top-up, this doesn't seal very well and topping up can result in water in the under-tray.

The under-tray itself collects quite a bit of water, run off from the wings, bonnet etc. Some have drainage holes, some don't. I am great believer in drilling some drainage holes and painting the inside of the under-tray with POR15 to assist drainage and protect the inside of the f/glass from osmosis type problems.

Dave

[funbobby]

ahh thats v helpfull that makes good sense.just a bit concerned about the expansion tank having gone for a drive and level dropped an inch or so,not sure if rad is new and this is to be expected at first

[spend]

The exp tank will find its own level, just keep topping up until all the air locks are cleared

Dave