Technical Leaking radiator

[Wiltshire Chris]

The last time the B was in for work the mechanic suggested that the radiator was looking a bit flakey and sure enough I'm seeing some small damp patches on the floor of the garage. I'm going to investigate to make sure that it is the radiator that is leaking but given that it is I'm looking for:

1. Suggestions of anywhere that might be able to repair it. There's a couple of possibles near me (Avonmouth and Melksham) but if anyone has direct experience it'd be good to know.
2. Some clue as to which of the 14 options offered by Auto Doc https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/radiator-parts-10203/fiat/barchetta/barchetta-183/4760-1-8-16v might be any good. With prices ranging from £66 to £385 I'm sure there must be some difference in quality
3. Anything else I should do while the radiator is out? I saw in an old thread that it is worth cleaning and rust proofing the cross member and that seems sensible to do

Ta

 

[turining]

I'd try radweld first.
Actually the tense is wrong - I tried radweld first and have had not problems since.
Showed up as damp on the tray below the rad but after adding radweld everything has remained dry (ten years and counting). Worth a try ????

 

[s130]

Well if the radiator then at £70 for a new one it would be almost as cheap as a bottle of radweld but more hassle doing the job.

That said in May 2015 the heater matrix on our "B" started to drip so bearing in mind the huge task it is to replace I took the radweld route and all has been fine since.

With products like radweld then if one application does not sort the problem then one should not keep trying as this can cause other issues.

 

[turining]

Well much cheaper.

1972 MGB
750 KW diesel emergency generator
2 ltr pinto
Barchetta

Worked every time.

Seems as if I have bad luck with radiators.

 

[jimboy]

The last time the B was in for work the mechanic suggested that the radiator was looking a bit flakey and sure enough I'm seeing some small damp patches on the floor of the garage. I'm going to investigate to make sure that it is the radiator that is leaking but given that it is I'm looking for:

1. Suggestions of anywhere that might be able to repair it. There's a couple of possibles near me (Avonmouth and Melksham) but if anyone has direct experience it'd be good to know.
2. Some clue as to which of the 14 options offered by Auto Doc https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/radiator-parts-10203/fiat/barchetta/barchetta-183/4760-1-8-16v might be any good. With prices ranging from £66 to £385 I'm sure there must be some difference in quality
3. Anything else I should do while the radiator is out? I saw in an old thread that it is worth cleaning and rust proofing the cross member and that seems sensible to do

Ta

All depends how much you cherish your B. Personally Id steer clear of radweld. A new radiator is the route I’d take. While the radiator is out obviously this is the time to have a look to see what’s needing attention. Rust will obviously need addressing. Your eyes will be tell you what’s required. Flush the system and new coolant. If you go for a new radiator, what is your price, this is up to you.

 

[Wiltshire Chris]

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

I've a suspicion that it may have been radwelded before so I thought I would take the chance to switch radiators over (the weather is rubbish for taking the B out at the moment so it's an ideal opportunity). Although AutoDoc list 14 they only have stock of about half of them so I've gone for the Denso one and we'll see how that works out. The service manual is pretty clear on the process so how badly can it go?

 

[s130]

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

I've a suspicion that it may have been radwelded before so I thought I would take the chance to switch radiators over (the weather is rubbish for taking the B out at the moment so it's an ideal opportunity).

Wise choice as the "B" radiator is quite easy to replace as I recall.

 

[Wiltshire Chris]

Cracking on with this job, the workshop manual is good but I didn't realise it assumed that air con was in place and so I wondered why I was missing some bits! Cross bar was incredibly rusty but all just surface so hammerite will sort that out. There were a few bolts missing when I disassembled so i'm waiting on a few packs of flange bolts to turn up before I can get her back together.

 

[Wiltshire Chris]

I think I've finished, took the car for a run and temperatures looked OK. Just letting her cool down before a top up.

Quick question though. Nothing seemed to secure the radiator at the top so it's wobbly in its mount. It's secure at the bottom but does anyone know if there are any fixings for the top? Can't see anything obvious but I'm not the most observant person in the world

 

[Wiltshire Chris]

Fixed my own problem. I'd missed the fact that a screw self taps itself into the radiator from near the bonnet release latch. All solid now.

 

[jimboy]

Fixed my own problem. I'd missed the fact that a screw self taps itself into the radiator from near the bonnet release latch. All solid now.

Glad things went well. Always a good feeling that you sorted something yourself.

 

[Wiltshire Chris]

After a day spent driving around in the big Skoda Esate, I got a good hour long run in the B when I picked my son up from work in the late afternoon. He rolled his eyes and muttered 'mid-life crisis' before reluctantly getting in. We discussed whether the car should be called MaLColm to represent this phase in my life but that doesn't sound at all Italian enough!

Temperatures stayed good on a hot afternoon and no sign of any leaks so I'm happy. Steering gaiter to do next, smothered the tie rod ends in penetrating fluid as a warm up for when I get round to it.

 

[s130]

I picked my son up from work in the late afternoon. He rolled his eyes and muttered 'mid-life crisis' before reluctantly getting in. We discussed whether the car should be called MaLColm to represent this phase in my life but that doesn't sound at all Italian enough!

Try MaRiO

Married and Rich in Offspring!