Bars leaks solid block (crumble into radiator type) has been filling a couple of small dripping holes in the radiator for a while, but after adding 2L of antifreeze (standard petrol station 3 quid stuff) last weekend, the leak started again almost immediately.
I've now flushed the cooling system and applied a new bars leaks treatment to the radiator. The leak has gone, but now what do I use to prevent freezing? Don't have any idea about antifreeze chemistry.... Could it be an alcohol attacking the bars leaks product, and are there any alternative specialist antifreezes available that are less reactive....
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Might be worth trying the newer orange stuff rather than the old blue stuff? About the same price as the blue stuff, from a Vauxhall dealer at least. You have to be very careful not to mix the two types though IIRC.
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"You have to be very careful not to mix the two types though IIRC"
very true- the red/orange long life anti freeze is OAT type and if mixed with the traditional blue/ green anti freeze forms a horrible goo which is very difficult to remove from the cooling system.
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It amazes me that you are willing to risk catastrophic damage to your engine just for the price of a new radiator. The antifreeze is trying to tell you something- your radiator is worn out. Bars Leaks is a good idea as a get you home remedy, but you seem to be treating it as a semi-permanent fix. Leaks are very likely to get worse, and if you loose a lot of water the damage from overheating may be done before you even notice the temperature gauge rising.
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very true- the red/orange long life anti freeze is OAT type and if mixed with the traditional blue/ green anti freeze forms a horrible goo which is very difficult to remove from the cooling system.
I thought that was the case, but the labelling on the Vauxhall orange anti-freeze makes no mention of this, I only realised because the orange anti-freeze in the local motor factors had dire warnings about mixing on the container.
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New radiator isn't really that viable, the cars 21 y.o. and I've been told no each time I've asked new parts suppliers, though one told me that I might be able to find someone who will 'refurbish' it with new copper innards, but haven't tried ringing round yet... Hoping it won't come to that, cools well enough with the leak blocked.
Don't have the bottle from the stuff I used last weekend, but remember it was blue. No problem with mixing, completely flushed the system so its just water in there now. Is the newer orange stuff a different type of chemical altogether, or just an improvement with a slightly different formula?
AIIU the stuff we buy as antifreeze is ethylene glycol, but glycerine used to be used in the past.... Been thinking could just order some glycerine, and that would also not have any anti corrosion additives which could have been the problem? Anyone more knowledgeable have any comments..?
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what vehicle that 21 years old no can do then? for a radiator
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Whenever I have previously used radweld, I've never had a recurring leak after draining the system a couple of years later and refilling with fresh antifreeze & water.
Perhaps you could try radweld instead?
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>>Is the newer orange stuff a different type of chemical altogether, or just an improvement with a slightly different formula?
It's different stuff altogther I believe, been discussed here before I'll try and find the thread.
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Is this it:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=19701
does sound like the newer stuff is less likely to cause problems
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A re-cored radiator will be around £60-70 for one of those. Easy to fit too.
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A while ago but Serck Services in Newport re-cored one for me, first class job. I think they're nationwide.
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Beat me to it - I was going to suggest any local branch of Serck Marston to refurbish the radiator.
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Don't think anti-freeze attacks radiator sealants. I believe anti-freeze added to water reduces its viscosity and the mixture will find a leak that plain water won't penetrate. Quite common at one time to have to tighten up a few hose clips after adding anti-freeze.
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In my younger days Bar's Leaks was the cheap and cheerful, not to mention effective, answer to radiator leaks.
So I wouldn't have any qualms about continuing to use it in view of the age of the vehicle providing the hoses are up to the job.
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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Here's a new one for sale, presume it will fit your car?
tinyurl.com/yhlcwt
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I've used Serck Marston a few times too, highly recommended.
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I ruined an engine by using 'leak stuff', it bocked the radiator tubes and overheated , ruined the head.
The garage said that new radiators were always cheaper than new engines, it was quite worn though so not worth repairing.
perhaps ok with old motors with larger tubes
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