Evening all. My FFRR has got a slight weep on the radiator at the moment, it chimes up with Check Coolant every 2-3 weeks and needs a mugful or so when it does. I need to fit a new rad at some point, but due to an ongoing family situation (very sick MiL) and a problem with MrsC's car at the same time, she needs to use mine for a few 160-mile trips.

I fully understand that Radweld isn't an optimum solution from an engineering point of view but just wanted to check, is there any likelihood of fubaring anything else if I whack a bottle in to see us over a month or two blip? I think I'd rather do that than rely on her to monitor the dash and the temp gauge when she's on longish trips on her own!

Thanks chaps.

Don't do it, horrible stuff to clean out. Can cause other issues as well.

A big nooooooo

Nope!

It has a very mixed reputation - particularly with modern / complex cooling systems.

My view is that it will get you out of trouble, but cost you more in the long run - because you really need to get the whole system flushed when you do fix the radiator.

Thanks all. Alistair's reply above is kinda what I thought and what prompted me to ask rather than JFDI. Probably fine for a 1969 Cortina* but not these days!


*There is nothing wrong with a 1969 Cortina btw!

JFDI

i like that, that will be copied 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE

Mine does the same but I can't actually find the leak. I keep some coolant to the right dilution in a bottle in the boot and top up every now and then. I tend not to wait for "the bong" but just check it cold every so often and add a cupful to bring it up to the mark. Car runs sweet enough, if and when it gets worse I'll get it looked at.  Geoff

this may help find your leak then it's a case of fixing it i would use metal putty as a temp solution https://www.amazon.co.uk/Torch-Detection-C...B00TU8VCB4 L322 2008 vogue
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Ivor, when I decide to investigate further that looks like a great way to go - thanks  Geoff

Use K-Seal - doesn't clog up coolant passages etc.

Just been looking at some of the reviews for k-seal, seems some people did have problems with it clogging up the system... QUID FACIUM TIBI
ANTEQUAM ALIIS

2003 TD6 VOGUE Zambezi Silver
tows 2006 Lunar Delta 540/2

It's just fine particles in suspension in a solution which becomes some sort of polymer when it comes into contact with oxygen, it can't clog like Radweld-style stuff does.

Trommel wrote:

Use K-Seal - doesn't clog up coolant passages etc.

Radweld has changed over the years, it's now similar to K-seal, both are fine and designed not to clog the heater matrix, which is usually the smallest passages through the system....

We usually have one old dog in the family fleet and I should get shares in the stuff... always used it, never had problems, mostly people moan it blocked theirs up but it didn't really, they haven't had the coolant changed and over time it sludged up the system, the pressure rose and made a small hole, they put radweld in, it works and seals the hole but the damage was done, it continues to sludge up because of the old coolant and then they blame the last thing that went in there....

Bit like people slagging off power flushes for gearboxes, they have a problem which makes them power flush, the gearbox dies because it was going to anyway and they blame the last thing that was done....

Just my 2p.... Pete

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