Matthew Posted April 6, 2021 Report Share Posted April 6, 2021 My mk3 spitfire. The coolant system has some very minor leaking and the radiator is a bit battered. When the rad cap is removed the inside of the rad is a bit rusty looking, sludge etc. Some 'rusty' staining in and around the engine area which seems to be historic, probably when the rad cap was not fitted correctly! The car runs well. What's the diagnosis? Should I replace the radiator and any of the other parts? Any advice would be much appreciated 👍🏼 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted April 6, 2021 Report Share Posted April 6, 2021 Rule No1: "If it ain't broke don't fix it" However, where is it leaking, exactly? I would clean it up and paint it. A reverse flush with the garden hose is easy and worthwhile and I'm guessing those clips haven't been off for a while so what's the state of the hoses? Doug 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Posted April 6, 2021 Report Share Posted April 6, 2021 A new gasket with some gasket sealant should sort the thermostat housing. As doug has said a clean of the rad then see if it or where it leaks. Check the core plugs, especially at the back of the head. Had a leak from there! If leaking from radiator, change or repair that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Posted April 6, 2021 Report Share Posted April 6, 2021 Check the carpet below the heater. How much coolant are you loosing? Check radiator cap, does the expansion bottle loose water or gain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted April 6, 2021 Report Share Posted April 6, 2021 54 minutes ago, Mathew said: Check the carpet below the heater. How much coolant are you loosing? Check radiator cap, does the expansion bottle loose water or gain? +1; if it ain't dripping out, you're not losing any. Run the engine with a piece of clean cardboard on the floor under the radiator, let it run for half an hour or so to get well up to temperature and give it the occasional rev up. If there are no drips, you're not losing any. Make sure it covers the area under the front of the engine too, in case coolant is being blown back by the engine fan, and watch for steam or drips after you turn the engine off, when the fan no longer keeps the temperature down and there's a slight rise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted April 6, 2021 Report Share Posted April 6, 2021 a good puf of talc powder will show a trace of the leak and smells nice !! to flush use a good hose to flush the heater and other area run with a good few cup fulls of washing soda then fully flush or it can eat the thremo housing being ally lots of mall leaks add up the hoses look pretty tired and the hose clips being old probably wont tighten so some rework/renew would be a benefit you can when the system is cleaner add some Bars leak or K seal leak stoppers might revive a sweaty radiator Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daverclasper Posted April 6, 2021 Report Share Posted April 6, 2021 (edited) I rubbed down the hand painted (badly) gloss on my rad 8 years ago. This exposed a small hole in the top section. Patched with Aradite and lasted a year or so. Repaired with JB weld and still holding up. If you do this then rough up the brass, adhesive contact area first. Edited April 7, 2021 by daverclasper 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now