advice needed . On hols in France.

[turbodave]

Hi folks, need some techie help. Near Bordeaux, been driving successfully for 2000 k. Stopped at a supermarket and when I returned there was a drip of what looked like coolant making a pool of 15 inch diameter on the floor. Level good in the coolant tank. It looked as if the top of the rad had a broken gasket as there was a coolant splash on the battery and surround. When I started her up, the drip stopped and she drove with no apparent change of temperature for 20 miles. When I returned to my flat, there was no drip, and a day on there has been no drip.I had not been using the air con. Does anyone know what may have happened?...I went over a rough road just previous so wondered if this was freak occurrence. I obviously am keeping an eye on the coolant, but am scared of air in the system. It is a diesel by the way.......Any advice, tips chaps? I will have to leave this post for a few hours and will check back this evening...ta Dave

[turbodave]

Update.think it is the gasket on the top of the rad. Will something like rad weld help or should I get it done down here. Thanks for any advice in advance.....from France! Dave

[westonwarrior]

If at all possible get it sorted properly
rad weld could glog up the system causing even more damage

[Diplomat]

To effect a temporary repair, clean and degrease all around the plastic to metal interface using meths.

Using two mix epoxy which is adequately temperature rated over 100C, seal all around the join as the radiator cools. Hopefully the cooling process will suck some of the runny epoxy into the joint, rather like radweld in reverse.

Make sure you have a low coolant alarm and regularly check for spraying coolant when you stop somewhere convenient.

Mine currently has an additional coating of the putty type two mix epoxy which appears to be more durable than the stuff which is squeezed from tubes.

Provided that you don't lose too much coolant so as to need bleeding, this repair should get you out of immediate trouble. Bear in mind that just as the cooling rad will suck in the epoxy, left untreated it will suck in air even more easily and that could lead to airlocks. If your front heater is still giving heat the water level won't have dropped catastrophically.

Good luck. Luck and epoxy worked for me. Use Radweld only as a last resort. You don't want it blocking up elsewhere, although it should theoretically only solidify on exiting a leak rather like tyre puncture slime shouild.

Frank

[turbodave]

Hi, Just to update those interested. Thanks for the advice chaps, in the end I ordered a rad from AVA leisure and it was delivered within 2 days and fitted the following day. I was concerned that the mechanic may balls up the repair, but having made it home with Billy running better than ever, I would like to thank AVA leisure for their great service and garage Dulucq in Hourtin, West of Bordeaux for a quick and good job......merci, au revoir!! Dave

[mikeonb4c]

Hi, Just to update those interested. Thanks for the advice chaps, in the end I ordered a rad from AVA leisure and it was delivered within 2 days and fitted the following day. I was concerned that the mechanic may balls up the repair, but having made it home with Billy running better than ever, I would like to thank AVA leisure for their great service and garage Dulucq in Hourtin, West of Bordeaux for a quick and good job......merci, au revoir!! Dave

What a great tale

[turbodave]

Cheers Mike, AVA had only 2 rads left in stock and the contact via Bongo Fury had none, so as you can imagine, I was starting to have kittens before AVA came to the rescue. Just for info , the price delivered to the South of France was £250. That included the cheaper rad, 2 of the main hoses and express delivery. Dave