Re: cooling systems

[human <human@nh.ultranet.com>]

-- [ From: human * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --

>I have a leak in my radiator.  It's not too bad, but a leak nonetheless. 
>What is the general consensus on "stop leak" products.   What do y'all
think?
>Brian Bressler
>
>I hear lots of nightmare stories of heater core replacement.  Do they leak,
or plug up?. 
>Barry Wolpoff

It has been my received wisdom and humbling experience that when one part of
the cooling system fails, the rest will soon follow.  The repair raises the
pressure a smidgen and the next weakest link, as old as the first one,
starts to leak.  The heater core is typically the hardest to get to of the
cooling system components.  My coupe blew a heater core hose, at that point
I had the radiator cleaned, replaced a corrugated mickey mouse top hose,
both heater core hoses and my slightly leaking heater core (what a relief to
be able to defog!!!)  When my cat clogged the excess heat blew the one
remaining connector hose in the system!  The water pump was changed with the
timing belt and camshaft oil seal last year so it didn't go.  

Stop leak products might stop the leak.  Along with any other small
obstructions in the cooling system, like radiator tubes etc.  I used it in
my 5000 turbo and it clogged the expansion tank outlet hose, so the leak
kept draining the radiator while the tank showed ok level - surprised that
engine survived that!

One of my Golden Audi Rules (to which I have added: "don't drive under
water") has always been:  **Fix It Right**.   These cars are wonderful, but
they can't operate like finely engineered machines if they've been monkeyed
with.

Plan on replacing:

_Radiator (or at least clean and pressure test)
_All hoses - and use _new_ clamps, my neighbor says the OEM ones don't re-
use well.  There are usually 2 hoses from the engine to the radiator, two
from the radiator to the expansion tank, three at the back of the head to
the heater core and heater valve, and one little connector low at the front
of the block.  (oh yeah, 5 cylinder engine)
_Heater Core
_Water Pump * and timing belt - may have been done recently, do not need
again.

You can do it all at once to save coolant messes or just plan on doing at
all this winter...

PS, what coolants are "phosphate free" and where does one obtain them?
--
Huw Powell

82ish Coupe (drowned) 73 F250 (sounds like 4 Harleys) various lawn ornaments
(might be a redneck)

HUMAN Speakers
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Lee NH 03824

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