Emergency radiator leak fix needed

[M1009 Fiend]

Gents,

Please I have a hole about dead canter in the radiator that I need a fix for. Any and all advice is welcome. I have at least a 5-7hrs drive to get home and need something to hold.

 

[jw4x4]

How big is the hole?

 

[doghead]

What caused the hole?

 

[NDT]

Cut the tube and fold over each side onto itself and crimp.

 

[M1009 Fiend]

Maybe a 1/4 inch, it rubed on a after market fan I installed to keep her cooler.

 

[M1009 Fiend]

Cut the tube and fold over each side onto itself and crimp.

Cut the tube???

Its in the radiator core...

 

[doghead]

The cut and fold, then use some stop leak, may hold for a bit.

Black pepper works too.

You'll need to do a complete clean and flush later.

A gob of the clay like epoxy might hold for a bit also.

You can buy a new radiator at NAPA or other chain stores.

Run it hot, and you'll need heads too.

 

[jw4x4]

The radiator core consists of horizontal tubes running from one side tank to the other. Isolate the leaking tube by doing as NDT advised.

 

[doghead]

tube = core

 

[jw4x4]

You can also use instant mashed potato flakes, or store-bought radiator sealer like Aluma-Seal or Bard's Stop Leak. I have used Bard's with great success and no bad after affects. The kind that comes in a jar and is a blackliquid with pellets. Just be sure to do a THOUROUGH FLUSH afterwards no matter what you end up using.

 

[misupratwin]

I have used black pepper before ,and sodium silicate (liquid glass). I have a lot truck that was in a accident and the motor mounts failed and the fan went into the radiator, pulled the radiator out cut the cores (tubes) and jb weld shut then folded over on themselves,No leaks yet, If it had been copper i would have solder it. Tim

 

[gungearz]

There's a youtube video and a bunch of info on the net to teach you how to cut the fins from the radiator and bend over the tube tips. I've used jb weld to fix these problems before. It works the best for me on oil pans and radiators. Another old trick is to drop egg whites in the radiator to fix small leaks.