P38 Radiator/expansion bottle leaking jobbie

kooky_guy · Aug 10, 2009

Hi Guys,

Just noticed at the weekend that my Rangey's sprung a leak.

On top of the rad is what looks like a screw in adaptor connected to a pipe that goes to the expansion bottle.

Mine's leaking here. The previous owner appears to have glued it in (I shouldn't be surprised really). Does this bit just screw in and if so, what would be likely to cause it to need gluing in? Fixable, or a new rad job?

I vaguely remember seeing an article on this somewhere, but didn't pay too much attention at the time and I can't find it now, suggesting that LR replaced this part with an upgraded one as they constantly had problems with it. Anyone know anything about that?

Piccie below. Apologies for all the mud. The red bit is the glue.

Guy

gegs88 · Aug 10, 2009

not sure but it really looks like some cowboys screwed a hydraulic fitting in there with hermatite red. whats the betting the threads shagged on the rad..

kooky_guy · Aug 10, 2009

Ah. I did think it looked a little bit over complicated for what it is. As for the cowboy, I expect it's the same chap who thought one bolt was enough to hold a fuel tank in. And two bolts enough for the sump etc etc.

What's it supposed to look like? Anyone got a pic?

Guy

gegs88 · Aug 10, 2009

sorry m8, i aint got one, do you have rave, there might be a piccie on there. i've lost me disc again:doh:

kooky_guy · Aug 10, 2009

Just found this on RangeRovers.net.

So should the pipe just fit over the end of the radiator outlet (assuming there is one). I wonder if it snapped off, hence the bodge...

Repair Detail Photos

Guy

gegs88 · Aug 10, 2009

if i remember rightly it's just a plastic spigot out of the rad that the small hose pushes on to but i could be wrong on that, been a while since i had a p38

kooky_guy · Aug 10, 2009

gegs88 said:
if i remember rightly it's just a plastic spigot out of the rad that the small hose pushes on to but i could be wrong on that, been a while since i had a p38

Ok, that sounds sensible. It would explain the bodge I suppose. Might have a go at resealing it with something - not sure what though.

Guy

gegs88 · Aug 10, 2009

this might sound stupid but....

i got some stuff from b&q the other day to seal a water pipe in the bathroom, it's a bit like silicone but it has sealed a knackered compression joint a treat.
fernox ls-x. might be worth a try m8

Pikey · Aug 10, 2009

Araldite epoxy resin is good **** if it's a cracked spigot.

gegs88 · Aug 10, 2009

looks like someones snapped the spigot off and screwed a hydraulic fitting in there insted

j the range · Aug 10, 2009

should just be black pipe comming out of rad if you cant stop leak afraid its new rad

Irishrover · Aug 10, 2009

If the boss where the brass hosetail is screwed can be redrilled and tapped with a good sound thread, there is no reason why another fitting cant be used, properly sealed. Only other alternative is a new rad., personally, I would stay clear of second hand radiators in view of potential overheating problems

kooky_guy · Aug 10, 2009

Irishrover said:
If the boss where the brass hosetail is screwed can be redrilled and tapped with a good sound thread, there is no reason why another fitting cant be used, properly sealed. Only other alternative is a new rad., personally, I would stay clear of second hand radiators in view of potential overheating problems

What's it going in to though? Plastic?

I think a new rad might be the best solution. I'm trying to undo all the bodges that I come across so I suppose I'll just have to bite the bullet. Don't really want to risk more with something as important as this.

I'm not sure how much it's leaking, but the bit underneath the pipe was very wet and it hadn't even run that day. Coolant level was right down and the last thing I want to do is risk it overheating.

Just been looking on p38spares.co.uk. What's the difference between a GEMS rad and a THOR rad? I thought it was just the engine management that was different!?

Guy

Irishrover · Aug 10, 2009

Hose outlet position is different.

kooky_guy · Aug 11, 2009

Anyone used the oem spec rads from p38spares? Amy issues/problems with them?

Guy

andy 0352 · Aug 11, 2009

try and get hold of a product called leak fix,it,s a 2 part epoxy resin that is made for sealing water boilers,fuel tanks and just about anything else works on plastic and steel and sets solid in about 10 mins,any good auto factor or diy shop,should have it,i used it on a leaking rad pipe in the house as a temp measure but 2 years later it,s still working so i left it as is

kooky_guy · Aug 11, 2009

andy 0352 said:
try and get hold of a product called leak fix,it,s a 2 part epoxy resin that is made for sealing water boilers,fuel tanks and just about anything else works on plastic and steel and sets solid in about 10 mins,any good auto factor or diy shop,should have it,i used it on a leaking rad pipe in the house as a temp measure but 2 years later it,s still working so i left it as is

I'll see if I can find some - I can't make it any worse!!

Cheers all.

Guy

rangiegal · Aug 11, 2009

You might want to try some of this from fleebay: 150365072219 - Some of these epoxies are bril and it can't do any harm.

kooky_guy · Aug 17, 2009

rangiegal said:
You might want to try some of this from fleebay: 150365072219 - Some of these epoxies are bril and it can't do any harm.

Got some (quicker and cheaper than a walk to the DIY shop), tried some - but it didn't work!

For some reason it won't stick to the material on the top of the rad. Might try it again after roughening it up a bit.

Cheers for the suggestion though.

Guy

P38 Radiator/expansion bottle leaking jobbie

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