I have seen radiator paint for sale that is supposed to allow better heat transfer, I wonder if this paint is any different from any flat black engine paint. I have a propane torch, is the solder and flux any different from what you would use for a copper pipe? Is it beyond a DIY to remove the whole tank? I think the dent is repairable, it is very blunt without any sharp creases to push out. Frank On Wed, 22 May 2002 17:26:39 -0700 "Dick Benjamin" <DickB@xxxxxxxxx> writes: > In general, it is a good idea to be very sparing with paint on a > radiator, > as it impedes the heat transfer. If you want to paint the tanks, > fine, but > keep to a very thin 'dusting' of flat black on the fins. > > Putting sealant in a car is always a last resort, as it inevitably > hastens > the day when the whole cooling system will need to be cleaned out, > including > the block passages. If I were stuck with a hole in my radiator in > the > middle of the Sahara Desert and only one 6-pack of beer to keep the > cooling > system full, I'd use sealer too (I'd use the powdered aluminum stuff > that is > usually next to the cash register at your local NAPA store, which > sells for > 99 cents), but unless it is an emergency like that, I think you > should have > it fixed right. If they take the top tank off to fix it, perhaps > you can > persuade them to push the dent out for you, but copper is > notoriously > brittle when it gets old, they may refuse to take the chance. > Depending on > how bad the leak is, and where it is, they may be able to solder it > for you > without even removing it from the car (or if you have a propane > torch and > the right solder and flux, you can do it yourself). > > Dick Benjamin > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Frank Griffin <frankrad4@xxxxxxxx> > To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 10:22 AM > Subject: IML: Gunk radiator repair? > > > > I have developed a small leak in my radiator, it is at the seam > where > > the top tank is. Someone suggested using the some gunk sealer to > fix it. > > Can it do any harm adding it to my Imps cooling system? If I pull > the > > radiator and bring it to a shop to be fixed I plan on repainting > it > > before I put it back in the car. I would like to remove a ding > that is on > > the top of the tank near the corner. Do they do do that sort of > thing at > > radiator shops and how much more would it add to the cost of > repairing > > the seam? > > Frank > > > > > >