urgent help needed radiator help off to holland next week.

[sternal]

If you look further down I put a post up about radiator switch and it being damp i.e. not a massive leak.

A bit of back ground Radiator was fitted last Feb 15 (rad was from Euro car parts purchased when on offer) and at the time a new Rad fan switch fitted, noticed on Saturday that around the switch it was damp nothing major just a bit wet on finger like a bit of sweat on head amount.

Its damp round the thread area its not running down the plastic housing.

Ordered the Green Meyle Rad fan switch from VW Heritage which arrived today - have fitted it and tested fan kicks in (should do its 32deg !) after test ride and rev....its still bit damp though not as bad as before which wasn't bad anyway.

Have spoken to my mechanic who said as it screws into plastic this can happen so either use some PFTE tape or silicone on the thread and this should stop the minute dampness....or just live with it were his words

Im off to Holland on Wednesday (27th) and don't fancy a break down !

So what would you do I don't really want to replace the Radiator right before we go away...

PFTE tape not sure I want that stuff in the Rad silicone sounds feasible...

I'm happy to live with it had far worse than this on old bangers in the past...and sort out when we get back.

Thoughts Please


NB Anyone else had issues with Eurocar parts Radiators ?

[captain Byrne]

PTFE tape should be fine as long as you don't go too crazy with it. Wrap it 5-8 times.

[sternal]

wrap it round the thread as in picture 5- 8 times


will do it tomorrow when its cool again will take it out pop old one back in whilst I wrap the PFTE

Is this a temp fix ?


thank you

[tobydog]

Wind the tape on so that it doesn't unwrap as you screw the switch in

[sternal]

Wind the tape on so that it doesn't unwrap as you screw the switch in


ie wrap it tightly and so that it's flat and not all scrunched up !

[captain Byrne]

Is this a temp fix

If it stops the leak then I'd consider it a permanent fix.

[Mr Bean]

I usually start wrapping at the (in this case) connector end of the thread and finish with the tape just overlapping the sensing end of the thread. The objective being to prevent the tape riding up as you screw it in.
CS

[tobydog]

Wind the tape on so that it doesn't unwrap as you screw the switch in


ie wrap it tightly and so that it's flat and not all scrunched up !

Wind the tape on clockwise looking at the thread, not too much so that you can't screw the switch in without forcing it.

[sternal]

job for this eve....


thanks so far

[what2do]

A good portion of the plumbing in your home will be relying on ptfe - it's a proper method of preventing leaks, not a bodge to keep you on the road. Worry not

[sternal]

PTFE tape applied took for a spin to get up to heat dry, once home revved up to get fan to kick in and the wisper is back on my finger !



this is if I put my finger on the bottom of the switch thread resting finger between thread and plastic, as you can see its not running down the plastic housing.



I spoke to my mechanic he said dont keep taking the switch out as its only going to make the threads worse on the plastic housing his next step would be either

Live with it for holiday checking daily/when stopped and replace when home

or try this Wurth product which would mean filling it up from the inside tank. - dont really want to go down that route

or putting some automotive silicone sealant round the outside

https://www.gsfcarparts.com/982aa0890" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



or worse case scenario if it goes on holiday deal with it in Holland

Arggghhhhhhhh

[captain Byrne]

If it still leaks after PTFE I would suggest a fault with the radiator - maybe a hairline split. Whatever you do don't start putting rad sealant in the system. Go on holiday & enjoy yourself - the rad will be fine, when you get back I'd be tempted to remove the rad & return as faulty.

[sternal]

pretty much what mechanic said with it being hairline split

to late to send rad back as I bought it when Eurocrat parts where knocking them out at £30 odd£ and it was in the loft for 6 months before it was fitted in FEB 15, worth a try though.


is it worth putting the silicone sealant on ?

Thank you for all your help

[kit]

Silicon might be ok but it needs to be completely dry or it won't take, pack some K seal before you go on holiday.

[captain Byrne]

Don't put K seal in it. Look, it's a tiny weep, in the grand scale of things you may loose 1/4 of a litre in a fortnight - a negligible amount. Keep your eye on it and put no sealant in it. Replace the rad when you get back. Relax, chill out, you'll be fine.