Rad Weld stuff

CITMAN · Unread post by **CITMAN** » 03 Oct 2003, 01:22

Thinking of buying some of this stuff to try and cure a the usual heater matrix problem i.e. smell of antifrezze when I turn the heater on, however the smell goes after couple of minutes. Will this stuff cause more problems than its worth or will be okay.

Stuart McB · Unread post by **Stuart McB** » 03 Oct 2003, 01:25

Have used it an old Austin Maxi and Ambasador for the same problem. It worked just fine but follow the instuctions as per bottle.

KevMayer · Unread post by **KevMayer** » 03 Oct 2003, 01:50

Someone mentioned an alternative called BARS. See this thread.
http://www.andyspares.com/discussionfor ... IC_ID=4259

rg · Unread post by rg » 03 Oct 2003, 11:59

Folks,
My Citroen independent swears by a product made by Forte.
Whilst Barrs Stop Leak sets hard (as, I think Radweld does), Forte stays flexibile.
My chap has used it to great success on Cit heater matrixes.
Around £10.00 a bottle but worth it. I watched whilst it sealed up a leaking main radiator ten minuetes after treatment.
HTH
rg

surfer · Unread post by **surfer** » 03 Oct 2003, 12:28

Hi,
I used Radweld to seal a radiator leak on my old Renault 21. 30 000 miles later and it was still working perfectly.
My Xantia developed a leaking heater Matrix not long after I bought it.I attempted to fix that using the Forte product mentioned previously, which was recommended by a Citroen specialist in Reading.
It didn't work though ~ the Matrix continued to leak and I had to replace it.
Simon.

jeremy · Unread post by **jeremy** » 03 Oct 2003, 14:09

I believe jaguar used to recommend the use of bars at all times even from new. I'm not saying this would today constitute an endorsement of bars but think the use of a stopper was to avoid any possibility of problems with porous castings of which loads were used.
I have used a number over the years when I've had problems - including successfully sealing a jaguar aircon heater matrix and limited seccess in some cases. I cant find any hard and fast rule as to when it does work but it generally produces an improvement.
Inevietably continued dosing will cause problems and I found loads in a used engine I installed in a mini.
jeremy

BonceChops · Unread post by **BonceChops** » 03 Oct 2003, 15:19

That might be because Jag could not stop water leaks from new [:)]

jeremy · Unread post by **jeremy** » 03 Oct 2003, 16:10

Thats the point - they couldn't seal all those lovely aluminium bits around the manifolds etc on Mk 11's, E Types etc and nothing looks worse than blue antifreeze emerging from a highly polished surface.
porosity of castings was always a problem and many engines were painted inside to prevent leakage. (not just jaguar)
Jeremy