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
>
>
>
Back to the Home of the Forward Look Network