Radiator leak

Bowma · 30-12-10, 12:28 PM

Has anyone tried radweld or something like that and does it really work? Someone here suggested coleman's mustard does it really work? with antfreeze?

Cheers for all replies!

type81 · 30-12-10, 02:28 PM

i dont use radweld, i have used radiator cement, this product will work and also
stop leaks on waterpumps! it will clog your thermostat though! so after using it you should change your thermostat! and maybe a radiator flush aswel, depending on your cars teperature guage! as normal temp cars will start showing quarter temp readings on temp guage and your heater will get colder!
but it does work!
radweld i used once on a honda civic and it exploded the radiator a few weeks later!
and on other cars it simply didnt work at all! but the radiator cement will work on larger
leaks! where others have failed!

type81 · 30-12-10, 02:47 PM

ford ka...leaking radaitor...tried the liquid brands..didnt work! used rad cement..worked!
negative effect.....running cold! remedy....new thermostat! sorted!

daihatsu charade gsxi...leaking rad...tried the liquid brands...no effect....tried rad cement
sorted! negative effect...running cold....remedy...new thermo stat...sorted

honda accord 1.8ex leakin water pump! big leak! tried rad weld and other brands! no effect!
tried radiator cement! sorted but running cold! new thermostat..sorted

honda civic..leaking rad...tried radweld..did work but rad exploded 2 weeks later!

nissan micra leaking water pump tried radweld..no effect...tried rad cement and worked
same again car running cold after... changed thermo stat...sorted!

i can add more cars to the list but cant be arsed just now

Phil Payne · 30-12-10, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowma

Has anyone tried radweld or something like that and does it really work? Someone here suggested coleman's mustard does it really work? with antfreeze?

Depends on the car. I wouldn't even try anything like that if the car has an electric after-run pump or a water-cooled turbo bearing jacket.

You can very often find economical radiator repairers - you don't always have to spring for a new or exchange unit.

4v6 · 30-12-10, 03:25 PM

Id avoid any of the chemical type treatments, theyre just not permanent and a bit iffy imho.
Use them for emergencies only id suggest and get the rad fixed.

type81 · 30-12-10, 03:56 PM

i have bumped into the daihatsu and ka owners 2-3 years later and enquired as to the
running and reliability of there cars and asking about there radiators and leaks engine etc
and gladly non have reported any issues or breakdowns,

as to will radiator cement block the engine water channels! i cant say but it is best to have the thermostat and radiator flushed after! its useful when your stuck away from home no tools money etc
its always worked for me where other brands have failed...50 pence a packet

yeti · 30-12-10, 04:13 PM

I've used rad cement once or twice and it's always worked, as above though, it kills thermostats.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowma

Someone here suggested coleman's mustard does it really work? with antfreeze?

Prefer it with beef personally. Antifreeze is a bit too sweet for my pallet.

rickytractors · 30-12-10, 04:36 PM

We use Holts RADWELD at work as a Emergency due to expense of rads and the amount to keep in stock. You have to do what is says on the bottle, we use 2 bottles on a JCB loadall work fine.

30-12-10, 02:28 PM	#2
type81 Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: manchester Posts: 1,691	i dont use radweld, i have used radiator cement, this product will work and also stop leaks on waterpumps! it will clog your thermostat though! so after using it you should change your thermostat! and maybe a radiator flush aswel, depending on your cars teperature guage! as normal temp cars will start showing quarter temp readings on temp guage and your heater will get colder! but it does work! radweld i used once on a honda civic and it exploded the radiator a few weeks later! and on other cars it simply didnt work at all! but the radiator cement will work on larger leaks! where others have failed!

30-12-10, 02:47 PM	#3
type81 Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: manchester Posts: 1,691	ford ka...leaking radaitor...tried the liquid brands..didnt work! used rad cement..worked! negative effect.....running cold! remedy....new thermostat! sorted! daihatsu charade gsxi...leaking rad...tried the liquid brands...no effect....tried rad cement sorted! negative effect...running cold....remedy...new thermo stat...sorted honda accord 1.8ex leakin water pump! big leak! tried rad weld and other brands! no effect! tried radiator cement! sorted but running cold! new thermostat..sorted honda civic..leaking rad...tried radweld..did work but rad exploded 2 weeks later! nissan micra leaking water pump tried radweld..no effect...tried rad cement and worked same again car running cold after... changed thermo stat...sorted! i can add more cars to the list but cant be arsed just now

30-12-10, 03:25 PM	#5
4v6 Ex Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 5,565	Id avoid any of the chemical type treatments, theyre just not permanent and a bit iffy imho. Use them for emergencies only id suggest and get the rad fixed.

30-12-10, 03:56 PM	#6
type81 Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: manchester Posts: 1,691	i have bumped into the daihatsu and ka owners 2-3 years later and enquired as to the running and reliability of there cars and asking about there radiators and leaks engine etc and gladly non have reported any issues or breakdowns, as to will radiator cement block the engine water channels! i cant say but it is best to have the thermostat and radiator flushed after! its useful when your stuck away from home no tools money etc its always worked for me where other brands have failed...50 pence a packet

30-12-10, 04:36 PM	#8
rickytractors Grown up member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: chatteris Posts: 141	We use Holts RADWELD at work as a Emergency due to expense of rads and the amount to keep in stock. You have to do what is says on the bottle, we use 2 bottles on a JCB loadall work fine.