Radiator bush fixes?

[petermoffat]

Can anyone recommend bush fixes for a leaking radiator? A mate had a small leak in a hose this weekend and we considered breaking an egg into it, but no one was sure so he just kept it topped up till we got home.

[Henris]

Don't put in anything that can block cores or channels.

Rather wrap that hole with some rubber tape. (Self vulcanizing tape that the electricians use when burying cable joins.)

[Christo Davids]

I agree with Henri, try to fix from the outside

Use a glowplug to solder the radiator closed if the hole is in the radiator itself, if in the hoses, tape the hole closed and check water levels frequently

[Engel]

clamp it closed

[petermoffat]

The leak was where the how between the radiator's (it was on a bike) connects to one the right hand rad. We tightened the clamp as much as we could, but it still dripped out. No glow plugs I've also been told curry powder will do a good job in a bind? is there a product I can chuck in the backpack that will do a good job?

[Oppers]

Agreed.... have also paid my schoolfees wrt using these "magic powder" fixes before.....

DON'T DO IT!

Trust me, if you cannot effect a temporay fix from the outside, rather keep topping up frequently if you can, or if it's possible tow the car to where you can fix it.

[O.B.]

Can a good layer of duck tape work for a pipe?

Heard something like rubbing porridge into a rad leak. Wait for setting, the low pressure in the eliment is easily stopped Any comments on this?

[Henris]

O.B. You have watched Mythbusters. Probably will work for a temp fix. Just add some cable ties on either side of the leak. The hot water will "relax" the glue, so you need to counteract that.

[ZuluCowboy]

Wrap it with insulation or duct tape and then throw a bottle of "Bar's Leaks" (click here for website) in and forget about it.

[4ePikanini]

Wrap it with insulation or duct tape and then throw a bottle of "Bar's Leaks" (click here for website) in and forget about it.

I replaced my heator core in the jetta partly due to bar's leaks.

It took many flushes to clear out the radiator and coolant ball after I knew what that stuff can do.

[dehacked]

There is a special type of glue the okes use to seal small leaks in high pressure steam pipes. Moer expensive but supposedly works for rad leaks as well. I'll get the name when I have a minute.

[hbannink]

On a kitted 4x4 you use a bit of ingenuity and a lot of luck Clean the area around the burst with a bit of sandpaper that you have in the tyre patch kit and apply a normal tyre patch with some solution and let it set. Take your roll of good quality insulation tape and wrap around the patch as a support bandage and to reinforce the pipe. Fill with water and go home for permanent repairs

Henk

[Henris]

.........Clean the area around the burst with a bit of sandpaper that you have in the tyre patch kit and apply a normal tyre patch with some solution and let it set. ..........................

Henk

Stephan v Tonder did this but he used a gater, on a boost pipe. This was on the Mana trip and it has held up very well for the next 1500km.

[Scotty]

Found this stuff. http://www.rescuetape.co.za/home.html
Anybody tried it?
Feedback?

[4ePajero]

Found this stuff. http://www.rescuetape.co.za/home.html
Anybody tried it?
Feedback?

I saw it at a show. The demo was very impressive (as they all are!)
It was rather costly, though.
Later I thought I should have bought a roll for emergencies.

[Scotty]

I saw it at a show. The demo was very impressive (as they all are!)
It was rather costly, though.
Later I thought I should have bought a roll for emergencies.

4e,

I saw it in the Drive Out Mag.
The prices listed are R129(ex vat) for 2.5cm x 3.6m and R592(ex vat) for 5cm x 11m.

Was thinking of adding it to my kit..

[4ePajero]

In the demo they wrapped it around my finger.
It 'fuses' together, to the extent that I could not unwrap it, but had to cut it off with a blade.

[alann]

sometimes you can run with rad cap off and pressure drop reduces water loss other than thru evaporation ,then top up frequently,often helps if temp repair is weak.There are numerous putty repair products that work well available from spares shops eg pratley white which sets in presence of water for difficult/awkward areas.