Can our radiators be repaired?

[95riosnake]

My radiator has a pretty significant leak around the bottom of where the passenger side plastic end tank is attached to the aluminum center section. Can this be fixed or do I just need to buy a new radiator? I don't wanna waste my time takin the radiator to a repair shop if they are just gonna tell me no.

Thanks in advance.

 

[fordtech28]

it can be repaired but its better to get a new one if the leak is pretty significant and the new ones are pretty cheap in price

 

[urban96]

check out the summit $170 universal ford radiator

 

[90_Red_LX]

Repairing one is just asking for it to bust again. I'd put my money towards a upgraded one, even if it's still copper. I got a 3 core for around 150 for mine, and while it's still copper, it helped.

 

[95riosnake]

thanks guys, I will go ahead and get a new one.

I'm just mad because this is taking my money that I set aside to get a pair of SpinTech's to swap into my catback

 

[mo_dingo]

alumaseal worked great for my radiator. Hasn't leaked since.
Scott

 

[1slow95]

Personally I would go with an upgrade, but if you want cheap I have my stock radiator that Im not using...PM me if you're interested. Are the Cobra and GT radiators the same???

 

[95riosnake]

Personally I would go with an upgrade, but if you want cheap I have my stock radiator that Im not using...PM me if you're interested. Are the Cobra and GT radiators the same???

I already paid for the radiator today, picking it up tomorrow when it comes in...this whole project (new oil cooler lines, heater hoses, radiator hoses, thermostat, and radiator) is gonna put it to me to the tune of about $280 with a stock replacement radiator, so I decided against the alum rad.

Thanks for the offer though

 

[95five-oh]

My radiator has a pretty significant leak around the bottom of where the passenger side plastic end tank is attached to the aluminum center section. Can this be fixed or do I just need to buy a new radiator? I don't wanna waste my time takin the radiator to a repair shop if they are just gonna tell me no.

Thanks in advance.

I've got a leak in just about the same place. I'll fill the overflow to "Full Cold" and three days later itll be way low again. I cant see exactly where the leak is cause i havent put it up on jacks yet to get underneath, but if you're looking at the radiator from the front its on the bottom left. I'm totally strapped for cash right now trying to get the body work done and ready for painting, so what kind of cheap fix band aid could I do to get me by for a month or so? Does putting a hard boiled egg in the radiator really seal leaks or is that an urban myth? Any cheap sealer I can get from advance auto? thanks for any advice.

 

[Car Nut]

Isn't our stock radiator made of aluminum?

I got a direct replacement radiator from Autozone that is aluminum and 1-core for about $130.

 

[69clark]

Dan, thats the way it always goes. Gotta spend money on mods you should do and haven't, which takes away from mods you want to do and have been saving for. lol

 

[HISSIN50]

Tim, see if you can ascertain if the leak is coming from the plastic tank or the aluminum coil. The egg thing has worked for folks I know but I have not tried it myself. I try not to put crap into the cooling system.

Good luck.

 

[HISSIN50]

oops. Wrong thread

 

[95five-oh]

Tim, see if you can ascertain if the leak is coming from the plastic tank or the aluminum coil. The egg thing has worked for folks I know but I have not tried it myself. I try not to put crap into the cooling system.

Good luck.

Tomorow im gonna put the front up on jacks and crawl under to get a better look. I'm pretty sure its coming from the radiator itself, not the plastic tank, but i'm not 100%. Not sure if this could have any effect on the problem, but a few weeks ago I had to remove the upper radiator hose to take off a cheap looking metal sheath thing that was wrapped around the hose (my dad put a bunch of pep-boys caliber dress up junk on the car when it was his). I removed the metal overlay and replaced the hose and made sure it was tight. It did lose a decent amount of coolant in the process but when all was done and cleaned up, I filled the overflow back up to "full Cold". Ever since then it has not been right. Coincidence?

 

[HISSIN50]

Tomorow im gonna put the front up on jacks and crawl under to get a better look. I'm pretty sure its coming from the radiator itself, not the plastic tank, but i'm not 100%. Not sure if this could have any effect on the problem, but a few weeks ago I had to remove the upper radiator hose to take off a cheap looking metal sheath thing that was wrapped around the hose (my dad put a bunch of pep-boys caliber dress up junk on the car when it was his). I removed the metal overlay and replaced the hose and made sure it was tight. It did lose a decent amount of coolant in the process but when all was done and cleaned up, I filled the overflow back up to "full Cold". Ever since then it has not been right. Coincidence?

Well hey now, you might get lucky and find a leaking hose connection. Also ensure the overflow reservoir itself doesnt have a crack in it, or that the overflow's hose isn't leaking. Since this came about after items were 'touched', something like this is quite possible.

If you have access to a cooling system pressure tester, it will greatly help you guys out.

Good luck.

 

[gunmetal5.0]

You did the right thing rio. Your mods won't do you any good if you break down on the side of the road. The best mods you can do are ones that make your car more reliable and save your engine and other mods you've already done. Especially with summer coming. Have fun.

 

[trav_19]

i had my radiator repaired where i put the electric fan on the bands that go thru the radiator rubbed a hole in a core it was a brand new radiator too so i took it in and had it repaired and now its been great for 3 years...

now to thenext question about temp repairs....the egg trick is a get me home type of repair it wont last much longer then that unless you carry a dozen eggs with you...i do not put additives in my cooling system i have seen results from bars leak and others and the results can be terrible....dont cheap out i see it all the time where someone puts bars leak in and it "fixes" the problem then people dont repair the problem because its gone now...i say fix your leak