Raditor Leak. Help!

[NRX]

Guys, I noticed a coolant leak of my car recently after a drive. When I checked for the location I could see that small coolant drops form near the area where the aluminium core and the plastic top tank connects. There isn't any crack but the leak happens from the edge of the area where the plastic and aluminum core connects. What are the options to rectify this ? This happens only when the engine is hot BTW.

Please find the attached image of the location of the leak.

Edited March 21, 2013 by NRX

[bogzy]

Got a similar leak on my previous car but the leaking area was a bit bigger, Had the option of getting the top tank fabricated using aluminium but i was advised not to do this as it wasn't a guaranteed fix. So decided to get a recon radiator for 12K.

Some people suggest to apply epoxy on the area but this rarely fixes the issue and it looks ugly afterwards.

Recently a friend got a cracked top tank and he had gone to a place in ja-ela (i think) and they had replacement plastic top tanks that exactly fits the core, he had got one of them fixed and has no trouble up to now, it cost him close to 6K.

[NRX]

Got a similar leak on my previous car but the leaking area was a bit bigger, Had the option of getting the top tank fabricated using aluminium but i was advised not to do this as it wasn't a guaranteed fix. So decided to get a recon radiator for 12K.

Some people suggest to apply epoxy on the area but this rarely fixes the issue and it looks ugly afterwards.

Recently a friend got a cracked top tank and he had gone to a place in ja-ela (i think) and they had replacement plastic top tanks that exactly fits the core, he had got one of them fixed and has no trouble up to now, it cost him close to 6K.

machan I was wondering since there isn't any visible crack the only place a leak could happen is the adhesive ( ?) that keeps the top tank and the core together right ? in that case removing the top tank and refixing could solve the issue neda ?

[bogzy]

Not exactly sure machang,

If you are getting it done, go to a trusted place as messing with the radiator is a headache and it could lead to more problems than what you started with(this is almost always true ). Some places give you a guarantee on their work so you can go to them if something goes wrong.

[priyanka]

i think you have 2 options

1 replace the tank - i feel the leak is at the tank

2 buy a new radiator - that is what i do if I were you ( it is costly but gives you the peace of the mind and )

[Ek3 Ferio]

A few years back my radiator top tank was got cracked. Then replaced it with a Malaysian made plastic top tank. Ran around 25000kms without any problems. Then one day engine over heated due to small leak near thermostat vale and bad radiator cap. Radiator cap didn't allowed to move extra tank water into radiator. So I ran until radiator got empty while extra tank is full with water.

After the heating thing again I noted that water is leaking near the joint of plastic top tank and aluminium core. Then took to the same place. He removed the top tank again and cleaned then fixed with some glue. (Dont know what that is). But now running another 25000kms with out any issues....

Best thing is replaced the plastic top tank it is the cost effective and maintainable method.

Edited March 21, 2013 by Ek3 Ferio

[NRX]

A few years back my radiator top tank was got cracked. Then replaced it with a Malaysian made plastic top tank. Ran around 25000kms without any problems. Then one day engine over heated due to small leak near thermostat vale and bad radiator cap. Radiator cap didn't allowed to move extra tank water into radiator. So I ran until radiator got empty while extra tank is full with water.

After the heating thing again I noted that water is leaking near the joint of plastic top tank and aluminium core. Then took to the same place. He removed the top tank again and cleaned then fixed with some glue. (Dont know what that is). But now running another 25000kms with out any issues....

Best thing is replaced the plastic top tank it is the cost effective and maintainable method.

machan what is happening with me is what is marked as bold text ( water is leaking near the joint of plastic top tank and aluminium core). So I guess removing the top tank and cleaning might suffice ?

Edited March 21, 2013 by NRX

[The Don]

Guys, I noticed a coolant leak of my car recently after a drive. When I checked for the location I could see that small coolant drops form near the area where the aluminium core and the plastic top tank connects. There isn't any crack but the leak happens from the edge of the area where the plastic and aluminum core connects. What are the options to rectify this ? This happens only when the engine is hot BTW.

Please find the attached image of the location of the leak.

nissan_sentra_2001_radiator_oem_21460_6m200_214606m200.jpg

If the top tank hasn't cracked, you can usually stick it back on usually thermo resistant glue. This is what they do when they manually clean radiators anyway.

Just take your car to a radiator repair place and they will sort you out.

[NRX]

If the top tank hasn't cracked, you can usually stick it back on usually thermo resistant glue. This is what they do when they manually clean radiators anyway.

Just take your car to a radiator repair place and they will sort you out.

Thanks Don, Things got clear to me now

[jaga]

the best glue is Plastic Devcon (2 pack Epoxy) If you could find.

[NRX]

Guys! an update. Took the car to a mechanic and he insisted that there should be a crack somewhere, to my surprise there indeed was a crack along the edge of the joint. So replaced the top tank with a new plastic one, also had to change the top hose that connects to the top of the engine due to a size mismatch of the hose connector of the plastic tank. Total cost Rs 6600.

[bogzy]

Good to hear that you got things sorted.

What was the radiator place machang ?

[NRX]

Good to hear that you got things sorted. What was the radiator place machang ?

The garage was a normal one machan, not a radiator joint, they had a radiator guy working part time for them ( who is claimed to be an employee of Lionel Radiators ) . Garage was in Gampaha Bandarawathta.

[DVT]

Good to hear that you sorted this out. But quick advise ... keep on watching your coolant level at least for another 2000 km to see if the issue has really been fixed as it might lead to bigger issues had you run without coolant.....

[HardHat]

and if you ever find yourself stranded by the side of the road with an overheated engine and a radiator with low or no coolant - WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT POUR COLD WATER INTO THE RADIATOR, WHILE THE SYSTEM IS STEAMING HOT!!!

take a deep breath, wait it out, go through a local "bulath vita" and a king coconut and once the whole thing has cooled down, see if you can pour some water in and limp it to the nearest garage.

Edited March 26, 2013 by HardHat

[abcjayasinghe]

When I had my radiator top tank cracked the local garage guy gave me an option of getting it done with copper ("piththala top tank" according to him) and assured that it's a more reliable fix than the normal plastic replacement tank. (cost -Rs.8000)

But i was too afraid of the unknown and opted for the plastic one.

Anyone in this forum who got the top tank done in copper ??????

[NRX]

When I had my radiator top tank cracked the local garage guy gave me an option of getting it done with copper ("piththala top tank" according to him) and assured that it's a more reliable fix than the normal plastic replacement tank. (cost -Rs.8000)

But i was too afraid of the unknown and opted for the plastic one.

Anyone in this forum who got the top tank done in copper ??????

It's Brass machan, not copper