Weeping Radiator & Owner

[Graham Hutton]

Just got back from a long trip and could smell a bit of coolant and spotted some splashes over the top of the engine. Only a tiny amount but clearly the top weld on the radiator is weeping a bit as you can see in the picture. Any advice as to how to fix it? I notice that a new radiator is £388 so thought I'd ask before buying one in case anybody knows a radiator welder or something near Exeter that could help?

Any advice appreciated from you lovely lot!

[SM25T]

Google search for local radiator repairer

[Tazio]

A quick google came up with this www.radiator-repairs.co.uk

[7 wonders of the world]

As a distress solution this is excellent

https://www.kseal.com/uk?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzK-UidO89wIVCLrtCh0T6QtsEAAYASAAEgIthfD_BwE

If you need a rad sorting by guys who really know their onions and use quality components and are very familiar with or cars then contact 

https://www.alicool.co.uk/

[Jonathan Kay]

Yours doesn't look like the same sort of fault that has recently affected so many aluminium radiators. But I'd still check that there aren't any twisting or bending forces on the radiator from the mountings. It should clamp up nicely without these forces and you can check when you take it out.

Jonathan

[Jonathan Kay]

I try to avoid any sealing compounds for radiators or hoses.

Jonathan

[ScottR400D]

I wouldn't agree JK, that does look to me like the typical leak the radiators suffer from, many from new regardless of how they're mounted. 
 

[700newtons]

I recently suffered from the, all to common, radiator leak. Low and behold, when I removed the old radiator, it was not flush with the mountings. The mounting bolts had been putting it under stress.

For the new radiator I was advised to add a spacing washer in front of one of the bobbins to correct this, which I did. I'm hoping that this is the last new radiator for a while.

Simon

[Graham Hutton]

Thank you everybody, very much appreciate the advice. When I built the car I was careful to ensure there was no twisting in it but then again, I'm not a master mechanic!

Perhaps I should've googled first because the radiator repair people you mention are about 4 miles from my house!!!

Very much appreciated

[ScottR400D]

The first radiator I got with my car leaked from the start. It was replaced and the replacement also leaked. 

CC then sent me a third which, you've guessed it, also leaked. 

I had the second one repaired and it's been fine now for several years. I have the third as a spare but have never needed it. 

Two of the three had leaks on the top welds, like this thread, the other on the weld around the drain plug. 

[7 wonders of the world]

As I said it's a 'distress' option, ideal if you get a stone through the rad.......

 

[Graham Hutton]

Caterham have agreed to send me a new rad under warranty without any quibble whatsoever. Marvellous!

Thanks chaps

[Jonathan Kay]

Well done.

Thanks for the update.

And check that loading at the brackets as you remove it!

Jonathan

[Graham Hutton]

Will do Jonathan!