Holed radiator

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Mon 14 Jul 2003 16:03
Holed radiator - colin-e
D'oh, d'oh, d'oh, d'oh, D'OH!!!!

My radiator was holed on Friday by a high velocity stone! An RAC chap has done an excellent job of patching it, but the next journey my beloved Celica makes will be to a garage to be fixed.

Who is to blame for the damage? Some muppet dump truck driver, whos' lorry spread a layer of large stones and gravel over the main road through the industrial estate on which I work. (I know who you are!!!)

I just wish I'd fitted a mesh grille to the front (like my mate suggested), so the stone wouldn't have got through.

Why do these things happen? Who is responsible for ensuring that lorries don't drop theirs loads on the highway? Aaaarghh! Its so frustrating!!

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Mon 14 Jul 2003 22:53
Holed radiator - sean
Where did the high velocity stone get it's energy from?

Was it just lying in the road or did a vehicle in front throw it up?

In any event I think you will have to pay for this yourself, mate. Nobody I can reasonably think of has been negligent as far as is reasonably practicable.

It's an aluminium radiator, so it will be difficult to weld. Is the hole fairly small? If so, what about Holts Radweld?

You can guarantee that, if you had mesh over the rad, the stone would have cracked your windscreen instead.

Murphy's Law, or something.
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Tue 15 Jul 2003 08:46
Holed radiator - colin-e
I'd rather the stone hit the windscreen though, as I have glass cover on my insurance.

The damn stone was flicked up by a car I was following. (I was even trying to stay back because of the gravel!!)

I'm not looking to get someone else to pay for the damage (the car is 13 years old, and would have needed a new rad at some point).

Its just so frustrating when you try to be a courteous driver, taking care at all times, looking after your vehicle, and your car gets damaged through no fault of your own.

Such is life!!!
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Tue 15 Jul 2003 09:15
Holed radiator - volvoman
Why not try somethig in the rad ? Doesn't seem like you've much to lose.
I saw a demo of a product made by Wynns (Radiator Stop Leak) and there's a fairly recent thread on the subject. The product seemed remarkable and was capable of immediately sealing holes in a tin can full water. Why not get onto the company and ask their advice to see if it'd be suitable for the situation you're in.
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Tue 15 Jul 2003 09:29
Holed radiator - colin-e
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll have a hunt around for some details on the product.

Its quite a large hole though (the RAC guy got it to stop gushing, but it does now have a small drip!!), but if there is a more economical (I hate saying cheap!) alternative to a replacement radiator, I'll give it a try!
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Tue 15 Jul 2003 09:35
Holed radiator - volvoman
www.wynns.uk.com

mailto:helpline@wynns.uk.com

Good luck.
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Tue 15 Jul 2003 10:15
Holed radiator - Galaxy
Years ago I repaired a fair size rust hole in my Vauxhall Viva radiator with Araldite!

You may well laugh, but it lasted 12 months until I sold the car.
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Tue 15 Jul 2003 12:23
Holed radiator - colin-e
Many thanks Volvoman. Just had a reply from Wynns, who say that if Wynn's radiator stop leak doesn't fix it, nothing will!!



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