Radiator leak from top?

[mastercamper]

I have a radiator leak from the screw hole that holds the shroud, the one right above the outlet for the over flow tube.

How is this possible and how do I fix?

I tried to do picture but they were too big.

Thanks,
Eric

 

[RoverDude]

I have actually seen this before in a customers DII. I put sealant in the screw hole and inserted screw. So far so good.

 

[mastercamper]

I have actually seen this before in a customers DII. I put sealant in the screw hole and inserted screw. So far so good.

What kind of sealant? I have a 3000 mile plus trip in a few weeks need to make sure its good before then.

Thanks,
Eric

 

[pdxrovermech]

i've done the same thing. I think i just used some Right Stuff.

 

[OldscratchGGF]

any long term input re: just using some sealant on that screw?

 

[garrett]

WaterWeld is a great product. Have used it on a leaky DI rad (core) and it's been leak free for 3 years.

 

[listerdiesel]

Sikaflex 221 if you can get it over there.

Peter

 

[pdogg]

I did mine with RTV black about 2 years ago...

 

[OldscratchGGF]

...and just sealing up that screw hole has kept it more or less leak free for those 2 years?

 

[KyleT]

dont use the water seal stuff... that clogs up the block...

i would use some plasti weld stuff, clean out the hole first, put it in, thread the screw in without the shroud and leave it. mine is leaking finally... need to fix it i suppose, so far just keeping it tight has worked.

its a very common leak.

 

[DarylJ]

Buy a new radiator you cheap bastards. You can get them for $250 and it takes less than 30 minutes to install.

Playing with this shit is one step away from dicking around with cheap/hacked up brake components.

 

[crown14]

What happens is people mix up the screws from the radiator brackets with the screws for the fan shroud and because the screws aren't the same length- it penetrates the top of the side tank. I honestly can't believe anyone would suggest fucking RTV as a fix for this but if that's how you roll, then...

I usually have several of these laying around and when the stack gets high enough they get recycled, no matter if they leak or not. If anyone nearby ever needs one let me know.

 

[KyleT]

FYI i replaced 4 or 5 of those aftermarket ones for leaky end tanks, mostly on the pass side near where the hose goes in...

 

[Big D]

I fixed it another way... Went to hardware store, got a tap washer, grabbed a bigger screw and tightened everything down... That was last year. No leaks.

The right thing would be to change radiator but I did it as a temporary measure that stayed fixed. Ah well if it works...

 

[Plain2000DII]

This thread was a true find. I fixed mine with some JB waterweld and a washer from my plumbing junk box. Has held up over the summer and looks to be a good "fix".

 

[alpinacsi]

Buy a new radiator you cheap bastards. You can get them for $250 and it takes less than 30 minutes to install.

Playing with this shit is one step away from dicking around with cheap/hacked up brake components.

I agree with buying a new one but 30min? D1 installation is a snap but the D2 is a PIA.

 

[DarylJ]

I agree with buying a new one but 30min? D1 installation is a snap but the D2 is a PIA.

I suppose I've had the front ends of D2s apart entirely too many times, but point taken.

 

[adriatic04]

just found mine doing this. Has a rubber washer on top of the tank worked ok to keep it from seeping coolant from the screw hole?

people are putting rtv down in the thread hole are they? seems stupid to shove something down the hole when you know it is going right in the tank eventually.

 

[JFD]

I've tried every cheap solution mentioned in this thread, and nothing works. The last fix I did was pretty neat, I cleaned the hole really well, filled it with epoxy and stuck a head less 3/16 screw in the middle so it's permanent there, you don't have to screw it on and off, just take off a thin 3/16 nut after putting fan shroud.
Still leaking

 

[adriatic04]

I've tried every cheap solution mentioned in this thread, and nothing works. The last fix I did was pretty neat, I cleaned the hole really well, filled it with epoxy and stuck a head less 3/16 screw in the middle so it's permanent there, you don't have to screw it on and off, just take off a thin 3/16 nut after putting fan shroud.
Still leaking

not to mention the epoxy that will break free and drop in to the tank and now block your cooling flow.

my cheap ass rubber washer under shroud and compressed with screw holds up, but needs tightening to keep it compressed. as with all rubber, it will need constant pressure applied to seal.

the real fix is a new radiator. stop being a cheap ass and buy a new one :rofl: