Radiator leak?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 256
Radiator leak?
I've got a slight leak in my stock radiator at the top outlet tube, like a weak solder joint. Could I try bar's first before I take the whole thing out and take to a shop, or will that do more harm than good?
its not much of a leak but it drips down on the fan and is making a mess.
JB
its not much of a leak but it drips down on the fan and is making a mess.
JB
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 256
The original style. I thought I had it fixed yesterday but then it spewed again on the way to dinner tonight. It was a pretty good leak and I am not sure how that much leaked past the clamp, I could see a weep happening but not a spew. Plot thickens......
need to check my hose, pulling the radiator is such a task
need to check my hose, pulling the radiator is such a task
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 146
From: Goulburn, NSW
I like bars leaks for stuff like actual leaks in the tubes but it sounds like you have something like a bad clamp or even a split in the hose?
Dunno if it is my imagination or not, but new hose clamps just don't seem to be made quite as nicely as the old ones.
Dunno if it is my imagination or not, but new hose clamps just don't seem to be made quite as nicely as the old ones.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,093
Likes: 652
From: Brentwood, TN
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,685
Likes: 80
From: Northville, MI
You will hear lots of opinions about Bars Leak. I have run it for many years in a '49 Jeepster with a flathead 4 cylinder with no adverse effects. But then it was a flathead 4 cylinder that wouldn't overheat if you ran it in h*ll.
I have seen arguments with very experienced people regarding various products and even things, like eggs, cigarettes, etc. On the first Appalachian Jeep Jamboree in the North Georgia Mountains some guys came up from Miami with a jacked up big, old 70's Cherokee swamp runner. At the first really bad spot the ol' girl sprung a leak in several spots in the rad-iator including where the fan touched it when the body flexed. Nobody had a spare rad-iator or any Bars leak or eggs so it was suggested that cigarettes would work. Then the argument ensued as to whether they should use the tobacco with or without the paper or with or without the filter tip. Finally we just threw in several entire cigarettes. It worked not only to get them down off the mountain but all the way back to Miami. For all I know it is still running that way.
I have seen arguments with very experienced people regarding various products and even things, like eggs, cigarettes, etc. On the first Appalachian Jeep Jamboree in the North Georgia Mountains some guys came up from Miami with a jacked up big, old 70's Cherokee swamp runner. At the first really bad spot the ol' girl sprung a leak in several spots in the rad-iator including where the fan touched it when the body flexed. Nobody had a spare rad-iator or any Bars leak or eggs so it was suggested that cigarettes would work. Then the argument ensued as to whether they should use the tobacco with or without the paper or with or without the filter tip. Finally we just threw in several entire cigarettes. It worked not only to get them down off the mountain but all the way back to Miami. For all I know it is still running that way.
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Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,513
Likes: 394
From: W. Central FL.
Sounds to me like the mechanical solder joint between the hose pipe and the radiator tank has failed. If so, all the stop leak in the world will not help. The joint must be repaired. I've seen these type joints fail due to the use of generic hoses that keep a constant side force on the joint.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 256
Took the radiator into the shop yesterday and the solder joint was bad. They took it apart, cleaned it, then reattached it. Need to repaint it and then I should be good. Taking the opportunity to change the fan belt and replace the water pump with a freshly rebuilt one while everything is out.
JB
JB
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,361
Likes: 5,375
From: Central PA
Sounds to me like the mechanical solder joint between the hose pipe and the radiator tank has failed. If so, all the stop leak in the world will not help. The joint must be repaired. I've seen these type joints fail due to the use of generic hoses that keep a constant side force on the joint.
And Twinridge, thanks for letting us know. good idea about the new fan belt and rebuilt water pump.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 256
Had Skip Haney rebuild my water pump and swapped it out today. Put a new belt on while at it. Reinstalled the radiator and now the problem is the lower radiator hose leaking at the radiator outlet pipe. It's been difficult to stop before but today it wouldn't stop no matter how much we tightened it.
Thinking of trimming the hose back about 3/4" for fresh rubber and using a little Indian head shellac on both surfaces to help it seal. Anyone on here used Indian head on radiator hoses?
JB
Thinking of trimming the hose back about 3/4" for fresh rubber and using a little Indian head shellac on both surfaces to help it seal. Anyone on here used Indian head on radiator hoses?
JB
