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Rad bolt weeping coolent
Posted: 30 Aug 2011, 09:13
by PhilyBarber
Hi All
I have been loosing water from the expansion tank behind the number plate.
and have noticed the bleed bolt on the Rad is weeping coolent but after 10mins when she gets to temp it stops. I have tried to tighten but it's just spins! Any ideas on what i can do?
Needle sits at 2/3rd is this normal?
Cheers Phil
Re: Rad bolt weeping coolent
Posted: 30 Aug 2011, 09:37
by Cruz
If it spins then i'd assume the thread has been stripped. Not sure if that means a new rad?
My rad bleed bolt when bleeding the system leaks coolant when revving at temp and not when cold.
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Can someone answer me a question too?
My rad bolt is just a normal bolt that has had a slot hacksawed into it. Should it not have some notches in it?
Re: Rad bolt weeping coolent
Posted: 30 Aug 2011, 10:57
by kevtherev
I just have a bolt... No notches or slots.
Re: Rad bolt weeping coolent
Posted: 30 Aug 2011, 11:03
by kevtherev
PhilyBarber wrote:Hi All
I have been loosing water from the expansion tank behind the number plate.
and have noticed the bleed bolt on the Rad is weeping coolent but after 10mins when she gets to temp it stops. I have tried to tighten but it's just spins! Any ideas on what i can do?
Needle sits at 2/3rd is this normal?
Cheers Phil
Is the bolt thread stripped or the rad thread?
Try a crushable copper washer to seal it.
Most vans temp gauges sit in the middle.
I would say you have a system issue. Maybe a system bleed done properly first. Then look for other problems.
Re: Rad bolt weeping coolent
Posted: 30 Aug 2011, 17:34
by PhilyBarber
Ok just been out and had another look and doesn't look good. The internal thread that the bolt screws into seems to be turning aswell!
Do most of the bleed bolt have copper washer??
Is there anyway to get this bolt out withot doing to much damage to the rad?
has this ever happened to anyone??
Re: Rad bolt weeping coolent
Posted: 30 Aug 2011, 17:45
by camper
Try using some ptfe tape on the bolt threads.I have the same problem but ended up using epoxy resin round the bolt head and rad .Sounds a bodge and agree but it worked.If i need to undo it again its a case of breaking the seal then araldite again .
Re: Rad bolt weeping coolent
Posted: 30 Aug 2011, 18:04
by PhilyBarber
camper wrote:Try using some ptfe tape on the bolt threads.I have the same problem but ended up using epoxy resin round the bolt head and rad .Sounds a bodge and agree but it worked.If i need to undo it again its a case of breaking the seal then araldite again .
I would try that, but the bolt is just turning inside the rad and can't undo it
Re: Rad bolt weeping coolent
Posted: 30 Aug 2011, 18:10
by kevtherev
oh dear..
that's not good
Can you pull the bolt and turn it or does it still turn the thread
Re: Rad bolt weeping coolent
Posted: 30 Aug 2011, 18:19
by PhilyBarber
I'm pretty much fooked then! As you can tell this is all new to me.
I can see this turning into a new Rad.
Re: Rad bolt weeping coolent
Posted: 30 Aug 2011, 18:20
by kevtherev
second hand rad ... no need for a new one yet.
Anyway hold on a bit someone may have a better answer
Re: Rad bolt weeping coolent
Posted: 30 Aug 2011, 18:55
by PhilyBarber
kevtherev wrote:second hand rad ... no need for a new one yet.
Anyway hold on a bit someone may have a better answer
Thanks for the advice will hunt for a second hand one.
Unless anyone has an other solution
Re: Rad bolt weeping coolent
Posted: 30 Aug 2011, 20:38
by ermie571
right...if the bolt screws in the thread, and the thread is turning, is there any way you can get some chemical metal or some such thing just around the thread and not bolt? let it set, then see if you can get the bolt out?
throwing this out....the main pipe into which the thread sits is plastic...which probably explains why its stops leaking when its warm - expands and seals....so can you undo when its hot???
And if you still can't is there any reason folks could see for sealing the whole thing with chemical metal if owner is sure its bled properly? ..... Would it be possible to drill into the plastic in the side and put a screw and washer in?
As I see it, you got nothing to lose!
Em
xx
Re: Rad bolt weeping coolent
Posted: 31 Aug 2011, 06:48
by camper
Seal it up with chemical metal or like i did use araldite run the engine to hot get the air out then seal the rad bolt.
Re: Rad bolt weeping coolent
Posted: 31 Aug 2011, 07:46
by PhilyBarber
ermie571 wrote:right...if the bolt screws in the thread, and the thread is turning, is there any way you can get some chemical metal or some such thing just around the thread and not bolt? let it set, then see if you can get the bolt out?
throwing this out....the main pipe into which the thread sits is plastic...which probably explains why its stops leaking when its warm - expands and seals....so can you undo when its hot???
And if you still can't is there any reason folks could see for sealing the whole thing with chemical metal if owner is sure its bled properly? ..... Would it be possible to drill into the plastic in the side and put a screw and washer in?
As I see it, you got nothing to lose!
I will give it a whirl tonight with the chemical metal.
Also I will try and drill 2mm hole in the plastic part of the rad to see if i put a srew in it to stop the thread turning, and try and remove the bolt.
Em
xx
Re: Rad bolt weeping coolent
Posted: 31 Aug 2011, 07:47
by PhilyBarber
I will give it a whirl tonight with the chemical metal.
Also I will try and drill 2mm hole in the plastic part of the rad to see if i put a srew in it to stop the thread turning, and try and remove the bolt.