Leaking radiator

[ATG]

Looks like my car's radiator is leaking slightly from the bottom left corner ... diagonally opposite the bleed screw. Quick search of other threads shows this is a fairly common problem.

I guess my repair options are either to get the existing rad repaired or replaced. I've seen the term "recored" being used ... what is that all about? For that matter, what does the inside of a car radiator look like? What is the "core"??

[M@H]

I thought mine was leaking from there.. it turned out it was the Jubilee clip on the top hose needed tightening but the fluid was running down the rad un-noticed until the bottom corner...

..sorry, no help I realise.

Matt.

[ATG]

I'll double check that. Cheers M@H

[ribol]

Mine also has a tiny leak from roughly the same area. I top mine up every week or before a long journey and what has leaked is not worth worrying about. If it were another car I would change the rad but apparently it is caused by the car twisting so a new one probably will not last too much longer than the one I have got.

A rad on any car is essentially made up from three parts, top tank, bottom tank and core. The tanks are the parts the hoses are connected to. The core is the square part between the two tanks. Inside the core there are tubes that allow the water to go from one tank to the other. The finns you see are there to help disperse heat from the tubes, support them and to kill flies. To recore a rad, they take off the two tanks, put in a new core and refit tanks.

Ivan

[FunkyGibbon]

Just had my rad replaced do to a leak in exactly the same place. £185 + VAT and fitting.

[snorky]

my Chim had a small leak on the rad that I couldn't see - just got water in the "tray" under the rad and blue water on the garage floor. I chanced it for a while topping up every time I went out and carried some made-up coolant in the boot. But I chickened out eventually - worried that if it let go big style one day I might do more damage than the cost of a new/recored rad. When Offords serviced it they replaced the rad with a upgraded design that is supposed to be stronger and resist the twisting better - cost about £169 ex vat i think....noleaks now !!

[ATG]

Thanks for the explanation and prices gents.

[P1GNG]

Chim 97 (400) with new rad (following very minor prang - insurance company VERY generous on new parts!) has been getting air in the coolant system for a while now - had head gaskets done last year, but still occasionally get that watery swooshing sound which lets me know to top up and bleed - any ideas of where to check first?

[Big Al.]

Take it to your local garage and get it pressure tested.

[P1GNG]

OK, due for service December - tempted to bring that forward as there's also a tapping sound at idle which is worrying me - thing is, only started since last service, when head gaskets re-done - tempted to get bits upgraded on engine anyway, may combine this with a bit of a general overhaul!

Oh and take it up to mum who's an upholsterer to get that vile vinyl dash leathered too!

[Dan M]

Had exactly the same issue. I removed the radiator and had it brazed up and painted - £20 + vat. The core was in very good condition so there was no point in getting a complete recon.

Dan