The cooling radiator is leaking, what should I do?

Car radiator leak - elimination + VIDEO

As you know from a physics course, heat is always generated when a motor is running. The car engine performs a huge amount of work and at the same time gets very hot. Even in the very first cars, an engine cooling system was used, without which not a single car would be able to function normally.

There are several types of engine cooling systems:

The vast majority of modern cars use a liquid system, in which cooling is achieved using coolant - antifreeze, antifreeze or plain water. The main element of the cooling system is the radiator, which acts as a heat exchanger.

The radiator has a fairly simple design:

• upper tank - heated liquid enters it;
• core - consists of many thin plates and vertical tubes;
• lower tank - already cooled liquid flows into it.

Cooling occurs due to the fact that the liquid flows into tubes, of which there are a lot. And it is much easier to cool small volumes of a substance than large volumes. An important role in cooling is played by the fan impeller, which, when rotating, creates air flows for faster cooling.

It is clear that if the cooling system stops functioning normally, the engine will very quickly overheat and fail.

Over time, cracks may form in the radiator tubes. The reasons for their appearance can be very different:

• mechanical damage;
• corrosion processes - incorrectly selected antifreeze or antifreeze;
• cracked seams at the joints of the tubes - seams crack due to old age, as well as due to increased pressure inside the radiator.

It is also important to pay attention to the fact that a small leak of antifreeze can only be detected when the engine is running. Even if the leak is very small - a few drops per minute - you will still notice that the liquid level in the tank is decreasing. We have already written on our car portal Vodi.su that good antifreeze or antifreeze is quite expensive, and there is no desire to constantly add it to the radiator. Therefore, measures have to be taken to eliminate the increased consumption of antifreeze.

Methods for eliminating leaks

If you find that the antifreeze level is dropping, you need to take measures as quickly as possible to get to the nearest workshop.

First of all, you need to determine the cause of the leak - the radiator itself is leaking or liquid is leaking from the pipes. If the leak is small, it is not so easy to detect it on the road. Without turning off the engine, try to visually determine the place where the liquid is dripping. If it is winter outside, steam will be released from the hole or crack.

If you are convinced that it is the radiator that is leaking, then you need to determine the extent of the damage. You can prevent a small leak using ordinary eggs, flour, pepper or mustard - under the influence of hot antifreeze, the eggs inside the radiator will boil and the pressure will nail them to the crack. Flour or pepper will also clump into clumps and plug the hole from the inside.

Be very careful before pouring or pouring all this into the radiator - you can only unscrew the cap when the engine is turned off and cooled down , since high pressure is created inside the radiator and a stream of coolant can escape under pressure and burn you. Unscrew the radiator cap, pour one or two eggs inside, or add a small 10-gram bag of pepper, flour or mustard.

According to the testimony of many motorists, this simple method really helps. The leak disappears. However, then you will have to completely remove the radiator and wash it, since the tubes may become clogged and will not allow antifreeze to pass through.

What should I use to temporarily fix a leak?

Liqui Moly products are very popular , namely a product called LIQUI MOLY Kuhler Dichter - this is what experts recommend buying. There are many other similar products, but no one can guarantee that the same flour or mustard is not used in its composition. It’s even worse when dry construction adhesive or cement is added to such sealants. Using such a product will lead to blockage of the honeycombs and subsequent overheating of the engine.

If we talk about Liqui Moly sealants, they contain polymer additives in the form of sparkles, which will not clog the radiator tubes, but will settle precisely at the site of the crack. Although it should be noted that this is only a temporary measure, and the sealant will not clog quite large cracks.

Therefore, you will have to choose from several options:

• solder the radiator;
• glue by cold welding;
• buy a new one.

Radiators are usually made of brass, copper or aluminum. Aluminum cannot be soldered, so you will need cold welding - a special two-component epoxy-based adhesive.

To make this type of welding last longer, you need:

• let the engine cool down;
• detect a crack and mark it;
• completely drain the fluid from the radiator;
• degrease the damaged area;
• Apply glue and leave for 2 hours until it sets well.

If it is impossible to get to the place of the leak or it is not possible to detect the damaged tube at all, you will have to completely remove the radiator.

There are several ways to detect a crack:

• lower the radiator into the bath and bubbles will come out of the crack;
• connect the compressor and supply air - you will feel where the air is leaking from.

It must be said that cold welding under the influence of high temperatures and pressure can leak, so it should also be taken as a temporary measure.

Copper or brass radiators are soldered with a special soldering iron - its power is at least 250 W. The soldering area must be completely descaled and degreased. Then you need to warm the metal well, apply rosin in an even layer, and then apply the solder itself. The solder should lie in an even layer without holes or irregularities.

And finally, the most extreme way is to simply clamp or plug the leaking pipe. The design of the radiator is such that up to 20% of the cells can be turned off without worrying that this will lead to overheating of the engine.

Please also note that radiator pipes, which are made of rubber, can leak. In principle, a set of pipes can be bought in almost any store, especially for domestic cars. You can also seal them using special rubber patches, raw rubber or vulcanization. To ensure reliable contact between the pipe and the radiator outlet, you can use additional metal clamps, which are also sold at any hardware store.

Well, if none of these methods helps, the only option left is to purchase and install a new radiator.

Video showing the use of LIQUI MOLY Kuhler Dichter sealant.

In this video, a specialist explains what problems can arise when sealing a radiator, as well as what mistakes car enthusiasts most often make.

Do-it-yourself methods for eliminating a leak in the radiator of a car cooling system

Every car has a cooling system. Without it, the vehicle would have a very difficult time due to constant overheating. This system is a complex mechanism that has a multi-stage design. During operation of the machine, the cooling system is exposed to high temperature and pressure.

For these and some other reasons, the radiator may leak. This situation not only adds discomfort to the driver’s life, but also creates a danger to the internal structures of the car. Every driver should know how to fix a leak in a car radiator, so that if such a problem arises, he can immediately solve it.

What is the danger of a constant coolant leak?

If the cooling radiator is leaking, you need to know what to do or which specialists to contact to fix such a problem. Constant leakage can lead to negative and even dangerous situations:

• engine overheating and further failure;
• changing the configuration of the cooling system and violating the integrity of the material used as a gasket;
• engine jamming, which will entail costly and time-consuming repairs;
• thermal burns that can occur when a crack in the radiator ruptures and hot liquid flows out in a fountain.

Why is a radiator needed and why its leaks are dangerous? Now that we have figured out, it’s time to move on to the main issue - considering ways to eliminate leaks and return the cooling system to tightness.

How to quickly fix a leak

First you need to determine the location of the leak. You can do this in several ways:

1. We carefully and in detail inspect the line along which the fluid moves. There will be a wet spot at the leak site. This method does not always give a positive result, for example, in the case of microcracks.
2. The compressor allows you to quickly find all problem areas that will need repair. All outlets on the radiator are closed, only one is left, the system is filled with water and air is supplied through the compressor. A pressure of 1 atmosphere will be enough. In places with drops of water, the cooling radiator leaks. This method does not require dismantling the faulty part, which is appreciated by many drivers.
3. If the radiator in the car is leaking, but there are no wet spots on its structure and there is also no compressor at hand, then it needs to be dismantled. The structure is placed in a container of water, a bath is best, and air is supplied. Where the bubbles appear is where the problems are.

Often, leaks occur simply on the road, far from home or even any populated area. You should not continue driving, it is dangerous for the car and the driver. We will tell you how you can repair a car radiator with your own hands using available tools.

1. A piece of an old car inner tube and a clamp will allow you to temporarily close the leak and drive to the nearest town or car store. We cover the leakage area with rubber and compress it with a clamp.
2. Any driver certainly has pliers in his travel kit. They are needed to plug a damaged tube. There should be no more than 5 such tubes, otherwise the cooling will be significantly reduced and the system will not cope with the task assigned to it.
3. Sealant is a very useful tool that can help out at the most unexpected moment. There are different sealants and the principle of their use may differ significantly. Instructions for use are always indicated on the packaging. We study it and act in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

What to do if the damage is serious

The methods described above can help eliminate small defects and for a short time. You will still have to do thorough repairs that will extend the life of the part. In addition, sealing the leak must be thorough so that an unpleasant situation does not arise on the road.

Sealing plastic parts of a car radiator

Many cars have plastic radiators. They are made from a special composition that is highly durable and resistant to work loads. Repairing such parts has some peculiarities; if they are not taken into account, the adhesive composition will not adhere to the surface. And yet, we have found several ways that will allow you to seal a heating radiator in a car and ensure a high-quality result.

1. Soldering is applicable to heat-resistant plastic; you can use a regular soldering iron.
2. “Cold welding” is a very successful method for eliminating leaks in a plastic case. If all the work is done correctly, in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, then there will never be a leak in this place. “Cold welding” is tightly bonded to the surface and forms a high-strength connection that is not afraid of vibrations, changes in temperature and pressure.
3. Adhesive sealant can only repair small cracks. In the case of large defects, a different method is needed. In any case, this method is a temporary measure.
4. 3M DP8005 two-component adhesive adhesive demonstrates high efficiency and is capable of working even with difficult types of plastic. The treated area will not cause a leak, since the seam is not destroyed by external factors and workloads. The only drawback is the high cost, which ranges around 1,500 rubles.
5. Hosch welding is specially designed to work with plastic radiators. The result is reliable and durable, the seam is designed for high workloads.

We have figured out how to seal a plastic cooling radiator, now we can move on to the practical guide. Depending on the chosen method, the work plan will differ, but in general terms it looks like this:

1. We are preparing the materials and tools that will be needed in further work:

• gluing material, usually two-component compositions, since they allow one to achieve high strength;
• sandpaper to treat the leak area;
• gloves;
• degreaser, usually acetone is used;
• cotton buds.

1. The leaking area and the surrounding area are thoroughly cleaned and degreased.
2. We prepare the adhesive composition in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
3. Apply the finished composition to the work area. If the crack is large, then the adhesive will be applied in several stages until a seal is achieved.
4. We wait for the specified time, which is necessary for the mixture to harden. This usually takes 15 minutes. In the case of epoxy resin, you will need to wait 24 hours, which is a significant disadvantage of this material.
5. Sand the frozen surface with fine-grained paper.

So now you know how to seal a radiator at home. Agree, there is nothing complicated here, so there is no need to contact a specialist with such a problem.

Soldering aluminum radiators

Don’t rush to take up the soldering iron - you can always do it in time. First you need to study the scale of the tragedy and choose the most appropriate repair option.

• you can simply pour solder into a place with a small defect;
• a breakdown with an impressive size will have to be covered with a patch and soldered along the entire circuit.

Next we will describe in detail how to solder the radiator. If you follow these instructions, even a person without relevant experience will definitely succeed.

1. We dismantle the device, drain the liquid from it, disconnect the pipes, bolts and remove the assembly.
2. At the leak site, we remove dirt, clean off dust and dry it.
3. We apply rosin to a dry and clean surface, but it is better to use soldering acid.
4. For an aluminum radiator, it is important to use active flux or aluminum solder. This is due to the oxide film, which forms instantly. It can disrupt the entire repair process.
5. A leak may form on the tube - this situation is not uncommon. In this case, you will need to warm up the soldering area and remove the tube. Then soldering is carried out or the tube is replaced with a new one if the damage is large.
6. It is not always possible to reach the tube so easily with a soldering iron. In this case, you will need to insert a heated rod into the damaged tube. The temperature will make the solder soft, allowing you to remove the tube without any problems.

Since we are talking about soldering radiators, it is worth giving advice on such repairs to copper and brass structures. To repair such parts, you need to use a special soldering iron that is designed to work with such materials. The power of such a soldering iron must exceed 250 W. The work is performed according to the following scheme:

• the surface is also cleaned and dried;
• the material warms up;
• rosin is applied as evenly as possible;
• Solder is also applied in an even layer.

Is repair always possible?

It is not always advisable to repair a radiator. In some cases it will be easier and even cheaper to install a new one. But how do you understand that this is exactly the situation before you and not waste time on recovery? We'll help you figure it out.

1. Leaks that are located at the junction of the radiator with the plastic pipe cannot be repaired. You can fix the leak, but only for a temporary effect. It is better to use epoxy glue or sealant.
2. Nothing can save you from corrosion, which caused the system to depressurize. It is not worth spending any time, money or materials on such a radiator. It must be recycled.
3. Structural damage resulting from an accident often cannot be repaired. Even if there is a chance of success, the repair costs will be considerable.

Any leak starts with a small crack, which will be much easier and faster to fix. With timely repairs, the radiator can serve for a long time and properly cope with its duties. Remember, not all defects can be eliminated; in some, especially advanced cases, you will have to replace the part.

What to do if your car's radiator leaks?

If your car's radiator coolant leaks, it can cause serious engine damage. Any car engine generates a large amount of heat during operation, and without a cooling system, its operation would become impossible. The heat transfer from the main engine mechanisms is small, so any motor is equipped with a forced cooling system. Even the very first cars had such systems installed. Today, the most used system has become a liquid one, its main element is the radiator.

A special fluid constantly circulates in them, which takes away engine heat and releases it into the external environment. To increase the efficiency of this process, a cooling radiator with a large cooling area is installed. Water, antifreeze or antifreeze is poured into the system circuit, depending on the driver’s decision. You need to know that when using water, you cannot drive a car in winter frosts, as the water will freeze and defrost the radiator.

Causes of radiator problems

The most popular problems related to the cooling system that car owners encounter are:

• Coking of the radiator, leading to poor circulation of antifreeze in the system.
• Constant radiator leak.

Incorrect functioning of the cooling system can be determined by frequent overheating of the engine, even after short trips by car. This causes serious problems with the engine and the need for expensive overhauls.

A common cause of damage to the radiator housing is significant external impact. The thin walls of this device can be damaged during repairs or when other objects enter while driving the machine. Often the radiator leaks at the connection of the pipes. For any reason, radiator leaks should be quickly repaired, as a car with a faulty cooling system is dangerous to drive.

The danger of constant antifreeze leakage

The most popular dangers that arise from antifreeze leaks from the radiator include engine overheating, created by the inability of the cooling system to efficiently remove engine heat. You need to know that excessive heating of the cylinder head can quickly damage its shape and the integrity of the gasket, and if you ignore the temperature indicator signals and continue to drive the car, the engine can jam, and everything will end in an expensive overhaul.

A fluid leak from the radiator can lead to unpleasant consequences for both the car and the driver. This is due to the creation of high pressure in the cooling system while the engine is running. The temperature of antifreeze or antifreeze in the system is quite high and dangerous for humans. If the driver opens the hood to find out the cause of the engine overheating, then even a small crack in the radiator housing can significantly increase and form a hot geyser with boiling coolant. If it comes into contact with the human body, it leads to a thermal burn, after which urgent medical attention is required.

What to do if the radiator is leaking

Since it is impossible to drive a car with a leaking radiator, it is necessary to quickly eliminate the problem that has arisen. Most often, minor cracks in the radiator, which are noticeable only when the engine is running, can be eliminated with your own hands, and in a short time, by using special chemical compounds.

If the fluid leakage is stronger and is detected even when the engine is not running, then this indicates damage to the radiator due to a breakdown or from rust occurring inside it. Corrosion processes usually begin from the incorrect selection of the type of coolant. In this case, the cracks are large and cannot be repaired with conventional sealant; the radiator must be replaced or removed to perform soldering.

Before starting repairs, you need to make sure that it is the radiator housing that is leaking and not in other places. If the leak is detected visually and it is small, then the best way to resolve the issue is to use a sealing compound. It can effectively seal minor cracks, and has increased efficiency and ease of use. This chemical is especially convenient in road conditions, since if the radiator leaks and there is no car service nearby, further driving of the car becomes impossible.

Major radiator damage

If the crack or damage in the radiator is large, then solving this problem is not easy. It is especially difficult to seal a leak if it is caused by internal corrosion. One of the main repair methods in similar cases is soldering, which requires removing the radiator. At the same time, you need to know that soldering must be done with experience, and in the absence of such knowledge, it is better not to start such work with your own hands, since you can completely render the radiator unusable, which will require its replacement.

The procedure for removing the cooling radiator is the same for many car brands:

1. All liquid must be drained from the cooling system. If the engine is hot, you need to wait for it to cool for at least an hour. There are two ways to drain antifreeze: through the drain holes provided by the manufacturer, or through the lower pipe if there are no drain holes.
2. After draining the liquid, you need to remove the hoses and pipes.
3. Next you need to disconnect the wiring from the fan and sensor.
4. Depending on the specific brand of car, the radiator can be pulled out with or without the fan, having first removed it.

After completing all the processes, you need to clean the external radiator from dirt. A clean heat exchanger will make the entire cooling system function more efficiently, which will give positive results in the functioning of the engine.

Possibility of repairs

If the cooling radiator leaks with a small crack, you can fix the problem yourself. But if a leak occurs at the junction of the plastic pipe and the radiator itself, then such a malfunction cannot be eliminated. Temporarily, if it is impossible to quickly purchase a new radiator, you can use sealant or epoxy glue.

If there are several or one small crack through which antifreeze flows a few drops at a time, then you can quickly achieve the result with a special sealant. It should be poured into the cooling system. The components are substances that heal small cracks and create a tight seal of the radiator housing. After this, you can drive a car, since it takes some time for the sealant to take effect, after which the leak should stop.

Many car owners do not know what to do if the radiator leaks due to corrosion. In this case, sealants are useless, and the radiator can only be repaired by soldering. This is a rather complex process, and can only be done with extensive experience and special equipment. It is also difficult to repair a radiator with mechanical damage. Sometimes argon welding is used for this.

When doing independent work with a radiator for the first time, you need to prepare to redo the work. It is impossible to immediately detect all the cracks on the radiator by looking at it. This can only be seen when installing it and starting the engine. If after 30 minutes of idling no leakage appears, this means that a good result has been achieved. If a leak appears, work should be started from the very beginning.

Cooling system design

• Thermostat.
• Radiator.
• Expansion tank.
• Hoses and pipes.
• Water pump.

The radiator is a grille consisting of plates and tubes made of light metal - copper, brass or aluminum. Many tubes provide the ability to reduce cooling volume, while plates increase the cooling area.

All components are connected to each other by hoses and pipes. The water pump pumps coolant through a specific circuit. The thermostat serves to ensure the circulation of liquid in a small or large circle. It is also known from a school physics course that a liquid increases in volume when heated. The expansion tank provides compensation for this antifreeze characteristic.

Leak detection

Most often, the location of a coolant leak is identified as follows. Remove the radiator and close the openings of the pipes. Next, the radiator is placed in a tank of water, and excess pressure is pumped up with a compressor or pump. After this, it is necessary to conduct a visual inspection, which will immediately show where the air bubbles are coming from.

If you still cannot accurately determine the location of the leak, then you need to use special devices. They consist of a fluorescent additive, a special gun for introducing the additive into the cooling system and a lamp emitting ultraviolet rays, in the light of which the antifreeze flowing from the radiator will glow. The disadvantage of this method is its high cost, and there is no point in purchasing it for your own needs. It will be easier and cheaper to go to a car service center.

To prevent the radiator from leaking, you need to monitor the condition and level of antifreeze, avoid oil penetration into the seals, and avoid excessive pressure in the system.

Testing modern sealants

To increase the tightness of the cooling system and eliminate leaks in the radiator, there are special sealant compositions for car owners. Different experts have mixed attitudes towards the use of sealants, by analogy with oil additives and tablets in a gasoline tank. Car manufacturers have a negative attitude towards the use of sealants. In the car maintenance manuals in the engine cooling section there is no mention of any additives. They respond to leaks by replacing the old radiator with a new one.

What to do if the antifreeze level has dropped significantly on the road, but the road to the place is still far away. There is a way out. Retail outlets and fuel filling stations sell additives that can eliminate leaks. This is an emergency method that allows you to get to a nearby service station without problems. It is not possible to prevent a radiator from leaking forever using a sealant. The main task of additives was the formation of deposits in the cooling system of cars.

You can simplify the selection using a summary table that has two characteristics: the level of deposits and the time of clogging of different holes. To assess the level of deposits, the mass of the thermostat was used before and after the use of additives. Such tests are usually carried out at institutes at the department of internal combustion engines.

From the table you can see that microcracks are easily repaired, and even large holes are clogged within 10 minutes. The use of radiator sealants is an emergency. There is no point in using them for preventive purposes. If possible, replace the faulty part and thoroughly flush the cooling system of the machine.

Cold welding

This method of eliminating leaks is used for large leaks and significant cracks. For repairs, heat-resistant adhesive-sealant is used. It contains metal powder. In everyday life, this method is called cold welding. These components can be sold either ready-to-use or as separate components, which are first thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained.

The faulty part must be degreased and lightly cleaned with sandpaper to give the appropriate surface roughness. Next, apply metal sealant. The composition sets in 3 minutes, and for final hardening it takes up to several days.

The big advantage of cold welding is that the temperature coefficient of expansion is similar to the metal, so a patch installed on a leaking radiator can remain there for several years.

Repairing a radiator with a soldering iron

​If an aluminum radiator is leaking, you can solder it if you can get to the leak. Before starting work, you need to thoroughly clean the surface from aluminum oxides formed during the reaction of air and metal. The optimal solution would be to carry out the procedure by lubricating the cleaned surface with a special alkaline oil used to clean weapons. The oil is used for precision sewing machines and mechanisms.

The soldering iron must have a power of at least 50 watts. It should be warmed up well. If the radiator consists of thick walls, then they are also heated in advance. The solder must contain at least 50% POS-61 grade tin. If there is less tin, the quality of soldering is significantly reduced.

Soldering a radiator is not an easy task. If you fail, you will have to start over. If you don’t want to conduct experiments on the radiator, then it’s better to contact specialists, and preferably a normal organization, after reading the reviews of drivers.

The radiator is leaking: how to fix the leak

It is impossible to imagine every modern engine without a car cooling system. Cooling systems began to be installed at the dawn of the automotive industry. The first systems were air-cooled, but now all cars work with a liquid cooling system. The main heat exchange element in this system is the radiator.

The principle of operation of the radiator

Antifreeze, antifreeze or water constantly circulates in the cooling system. The radiator effectively cools the liquid, which circulates in a circle, taking heat from the engine. It is recommended to fill with antifreeze, since at low temperatures water can freeze and rupture the radiator or pipes. However, water can be added in emergency situations when antifreeze cannot be obtained. The main thing is not to forget to drain it and replace it with antifreeze.

Radiator related problems

The main problems with the radiator can be divided into two groups:

• Antifreeze leaks;
• The radiator becomes clogged with various debris and does not work one hundred percent.

It is quite simple to understand that there are problems with the cooling system; if the engine begins to overheat and the temperature begins to rise above 95 degrees, then the system cannot cope with the load. It is possible that the pipe has ruptured, or the radiator may have leaked. Often, an aluminum radiator is damaged as a result of accidents, stones, or careless repairs, because its honeycombs are quite soft, and plastic elements can crack upon impact. Any coolant (coolant) leak must be repaired if you want to avoid costly repairs to an overheated engine.

What can happen if there is a lack of coolant?

If the radiator leaks or the pipe ruptures, the following may happen:

1. The engine will overheat;
2. The cylinder head gasket is deformed;
3. When attempting to examine the problem, pressurized liquid may splash into the face, causing burns;
4. The engine will seize.

All these troubles can lead to expensive repairs, and damage to health can be irreparable.

Radiator design

A radiator is a lightweight structure made of tubes and plates, usually made of aluminum or brass (previously, heavy cast iron radiators were installed on domestic cars). The radiator is connected to the cooling system through pipes and hoses.

How to fix a radiator leak

One of the reasons that your car radiator is constantly leaking may be a broken radiator cap. Due to old age, the radiator cap may not hold pressure, as a result of which the antifreeze in the system will constantly evaporate. This problem is often invisible to the eye and although the entire system is in order, the antifreeze disappears somewhere. You should replace the cap with a new one and check the antifreeze level after some time. If the level is normal, then the problem is solved.

Radiator fluid often disappears due to wear and tear on the rubber hoses. This is easy to notice by the traces of smudges on the hoses. Such pipes are recommended for replacement, since their repair is not advisable.

The most problematic option is when there is a leak in the radiator itself. Often in such cases, repairs do not help. If there is a large crack in the radiator, it is immediately noticeable by steam and coolant splashes. A large hole can only be repaired in a garage or auto repair shop. Copper or brass can be soldered, aluminum can only be welded with argon. You should know that such repairs are unreliable and even a service station will not give you a guarantee for more than a month.

How to check a radiator for small cracks

A small hole or crack may not be noticed and you may wonder for a long time why the coolant is leaking. If you shine a special lamp on the radiator, you can see traces of drips, since antifreeze contains special coloring agents. Cracks can be repaired using cold welding or sealant.

How to fix a car radiator leak using cold welding

Cold welding is often used to seal small cracks. It should be applied to a cleaned surface from which all contaminants must be removed. When the weld hardens, the crack will be sealed. Such repairs are not very reliable, since under the influence of high temperatures, cold welding loses its properties and becomes colored.

Some car owners, when their radiator is leaking, use “folk” methods to fix the problem. For example, they add dry mustard, which swells due to temperature and covers the cracks with its particles. Such repairs may result in large repair costs in the future. The channels, every thin tube, and even the coolant drain valve will become clogged. A faucet is essential when replacing a radiator, especially if you plan to do it yourself. A clogged tap will prevent you from draining the coolant and there will be problems with replacement. It’s better not to take risks and not use mustard, but to get to the repair site by constantly adding antifreeze.

Repairing a cooling radiator using sealant

You can hear many stories about how car owners ruined their car engine due to the use of sealant. Often these stories are not fiction. So what should you do, use sealant or not? In fact, high-quality sealants cannot damage the engine; many people simply buy cheap analogues or fakes. It is also extremely important to choose the type of sealant that will help in your case. A properly selected composition will restore the tightness of the cooling system.

Types of sealants

There are three types of sealants:

Each of these types can cope with routine radiator repairs, but you need to choose them taking into account the size of the crack or hole.

Powder sealant is the cheapest. Often, instead of a specialized powder, car enthusiasts use mustard, which is not recommended. The powder is simply added to the antifreeze if your radiator is leaking. The main disadvantage of using powder is that it severely clogs the radiator channels and tubes.

Liquid sealant is made with the addition of polymers. These sealants can most often be purchased at car dealerships and gas stations. Metal particles are added to it. Liquid sealant clogs the cooling system much less, the main thing is to choose a quality product and not run into counterfeit products.

In addition to polymers, a specialized sealant also contains fibers, due to which it copes with larger damage. Of course, this is the best option among sealants, the only problem is its high price.

It is necessary to understand that the use of sealant is not a solution to the issue of radiator repair, but will only help to get to the place of global repair if the elements of the cooling system are leaking.

How to use sealant

Brief step-by-step instructions:

1. Wait until the antifreeze cools down;
2. Open the radiator cap;
3. Pour sealant into antifreeze;
4. Start the engine for a few minutes;
5. Shut down and visually check the system for leaks.

If the damage was minor, the seal should be restored. When using low-quality sealants, you can clog the radiator with particles, damage the pump, disrupt the operation of the thermostat, and cause many more problems with the car. To avoid them, carefully study the information on the packages, look at the protection system and all kinds of holograms. When using, carefully follow the instructions included with the sealant. The main thing to remember is that the system with sealant must be restored in the near future.

To avoid major repairs, you should regularly check the cooling system for the slightest malfunctions and leaks, change hoses and pipes in a timely manner, and monitor the temperature of the antifreeze during operation. Also, do not forget to change the antifreeze, as over time it loses its properties, which can lead to problems with the entire system.

The radiator is leaking: what to do, how to find the leak and how to fix it

The cooling radiator is the main element of the engine cooling system. The operation of a cooling radiator is the active transfer of heat into the atmosphere from the heated coolant. This process is important for efficient engine operation, because The coolant, before giving off heat in the radiator, takes this heat from the heated components and parts of the engine. This was originally intended by the designers, but life makes its own adjustments to the operation of the car on the road.

A situation when the arrow on the dashboard begins to treacherously creep up, and, unfortunately, this arrow is not an indicator of the fuel level, but an indicator of the coolant temperature, modestly indicating that the car is starting to overheat. Steam is pouring out from under the hood, and a liquid stain of coolant is slowly but surely spreading on the asphalt. The radiator is leaking, what should I do?

Causes of radiator leaks in the car cooling system

Before you do anything, you need to figure out what led to this result. This may be external damage as a result of stones, or the plastic elements of the radiator may crack as a result of an impact in a minor accident. Such minor damage, as a rule, cannot be immediately identified, and problems arise from them over time. In the meantime, the driver continues to operate the car, gradually, drop by drop, losing coolant from the system.

What is the danger of antifreeze leaking from a car cooling system?

As the coolant level drops, the risk of engine overheating increases, which in turn can lead to the following problems:

Deformation of the plane of the cylinder block or cylinder head

Cylinder head gasket deformation

· Changes in the configuration of the cooling system and associated failure of system components

All of the above cases will lead to expensive repairs.

What to do if the cooling radiator is leaking

The first rule in this case is to monitor the coolant level. In fact, periodically checking the vehicle's technical fluids before a trip is a good rule; this will help to promptly notice an emerging problem and eliminate it.

Even if the cooling radiator leak is small, do not underestimate the scale of the current situation. Over time, radiator leakage will increase, and this point can be overlooked. The driver will not like the result.

Therefore, if such a situation occurs, it is necessary to have a supply of coolant or distilled water. Yes, if the loss of coolant is small, then for the first time you can use distilled water, but you need to take into account that the more distilled water gets into the system, the more we increase the freezing point of the coolant. Therefore, if it’s winter outside, you shouldn’t get carried away with distilled water, but add coolant.

What to do in case of major damage and leakage of the cooling system

If there is serious damage to the engine cooling system, repairs are inevitable; operating the vehicle in this case is extremely undesirable. And in order not to end up with engine repairs, you should move the car to a technical center using a tow truck, or, in extreme cases, on a cable.

How to seal plastic parts of a cooling system with a leak

If the design of the radiator allows, then you can use a heat-resistant sealant-adhesive, better known as cold welding. In some cases, you will need to remove the radiator from the car.

Cold welding is a special two-component sealant that may contain metal shavings. Such sealants allow you to quickly restore plastic or metal parts.

The gluing process itself is not complicated:

· Before applying the sealant, the surface must be prepared, cleaned and degreased.

· Prepare the sealant for use by mixing the two components. The components must be thoroughly mixed to obtain a homogeneous mass.

· The sealant is applied to the part.

The composition will set in 3-5 minutes, but until complete hardening it will take from an hour to a day, depending on the composition.

Is it possible to solder aluminum radiators and how to do it correctly

If a radiator leak occurs on an aluminum part, then sealing is possible. The process is complicated, and we would recommend entrusting it to professionals, because... If the attempt fails, you will have to redo everything again.

· You will need a powerful soldering iron and it must be warmed up well before work.

· The walls of the radiator will also need to be thoroughly heated.

· Clean the surface thoroughly before soldering.

· To ensure good soldering quality, it is necessary to use solder with a high tin content.

This method will require removing the radiator from the car, which means that when installing the radiator back after repair, it is advisable to completely replace the coolant.

Repairing antifreeze leaks in the cooling system using a special sealant

There is another way to eliminate a radiator leak that does not require partial or complete disassembly of the system. This is a sealant that works inside the cooling system. For example, Liqui Moly - Kuhler-Dichter cooling system sealant. This product seals small leaks in the radiator, metal porosity in solder areas, and hairline cracks. Seals damage that is quite difficult to localize (determined only by a drop in the coolant level). You can use the product with all types of additives in the cooling system and any antifreeze. Suitable for all cooling and heating systems.

Contains water-soluble monomer and plastic chips suspended in a monoethylene glycol solution. When there is a pressure difference and when oxygen is available, the polymerization reaction is activated and the polymerization products seal the coolant leaks.

Application of the sealant is very simple:

· Shake the can before use.

· Add sealant to the cooling system at the rate of 250 ml. additives for 10 l. coolant.

· Let the engine idle or drive the vehicle for at least 10 minutes.

The sealant can remain in the cooling system for the entire service life of the coolant.

To avoid major repairs, you should regularly check the cooling system for the slightest malfunctions and leaks, change hoses and pipes in a timely manner, and monitor the temperature of the antifreeze during operation. Also, do not forget to change the coolant in a timely manner, as over time it loses its properties, which can lead to malfunctions in the operation of the entire system.