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MG TD TF 1500 - Radiator sealant

My TF's radiator was fitted with a new core in 1968 but has never been filled with water. I have just had all the tinware around the radiator beadblasted and powder coated (it looks superb). Before I refit the radiator I took to to a local radiator recon shop for testing. They found a very small leak, just under the header tank - one small bubble each 10 secs. They have quoted me £210 for a new core. The inside of the rad is pristine and I am loath to spend money if it is not necessary. Can anyone suggest a sealant I can pour into the rad?

Jan T
J Targosz

If you can find it over there, BAR's was good enough for the Nuclear Submarine Natulis

Jim B
JA Benjamin

If the core is basically new it looks like any good radiator shop could soldier the leak.
Richard Taylor TD3983

Have the leak soldered as first choice. SolderSeal makes a good rad stop leak which is less invasive to the rad core. All else fails...Bar's Leak. It works but can settle and block the tubes on cars that are not run on a daily basis.

Too bad the leak was not caught before powder coating.

Best of luck to you.
C.R. Tyrell

If the rad is off the car and the core is new, solder it. Only use the stop leak stuff if assembled, then as a last resort.
George Butz

If you ever opened up an engine that had used any pour in stop leak you would only consider those products a VERY last resort. I would never use them in a car I cared about. Regards, tom
tom peterson

> have just had all the tinware around the radiator beadblasted and powder coated (it looks superb)
>

I did not pick up on this the first time.
You may have more issues than you think,

The powder coating process cures the powder at 450 F.
This is above the melting point of many tin-lead alloys.
I am afraid you may have loosened all you joints.

I had some of my undersides powder coated and I had prepped a few pieces by filling with lead. It melted in the curing process. I had to take it back home, remove the lead. Finish the dents as best as I could, have the parts re-blasted and then re-coated.

I would look carefully at all your main tube joints.

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

I assumed he removed all the surround from the core prior to the powder coat...perhaps I misunderstood. If I did Jim is probably correct. Regards, tom
tom peterson

To many peoples belief, a radiator comes in a flat finish for a reason. I asked my son who has been in the radiator business for 30 years and has stated more than once, never paint a radiator with glossy paint, as a gloss finish coating will not dissipate heat as well as a flat finish. He said two reasons your rad probably leaks, it was very poorly made back in 68 or the powder coating process melted the solder. He also said that unless the car was to be just for display in a museum, He would never powder coat a radiator! He also said, that being you have a leak, probably due to the PC process, you might develop more leaks later due to vibration while driving. If it was up to him, he would strip the radiator and re solder everything and coat it with the proper paint. 30 years of experience speaking. PJ
Paul sr

Jan will probably answer the question, but you sure he isn't talking about just the surrounding tin rather than the core and tank and the surround?
My understanding in regard to gloss vs flat is the gloss requires more solids to give the paint the body for the smooth surface for the gloss look....the more solids the better it insulates...poorer heat transfer....which maybe what you are saying pj
Regards, Tom
tom peterson

'must appologies it wasn't the radiator I had powder coated, it was the two triangular side pieces and the boittom plate that were done. I took many more parts down at he same time and the £110 pounds was money very, very well spent. It would have taken ages to derust with a cup brush on my angle grinder and a painted finish would have been a second best to the powder coating.

Jan T
J Targosz

Jan, with that answer I would just resolder the one small leak. Easily done..i have even done that. Very surprised a reputable radiator shop would only quote a record for the condition of your radiator as you described it. Regards, tom
tom peterson

ooops..should read re-CORE tp
tom peterson

This thread was discussed between 27/08/2013 and 31/08/2013

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