Radiator return snapped off!

MrGorsky · Feb 1, 2014

Morning All,

The return flow nipple that goes from the top of the radiator back to the header tank has just snapped off.

Is this repairable or am I going to have to fork out for a new radiator?

If I can repair it, can anyone recommend the best way?

If I can't repair it, is there anything I can do as a short term bodge until I can replace the rad?

It's our only car, and we need it!

It's a V8 4.6 1998MY by the way.

Datatek · Feb 1, 2014

Araldite.

wammers · Feb 1, 2014

Datatek said:
Araldite.

Araldite does not like heat Keith better with Epoxy putty.

gfromleeds · Feb 1, 2014

If you can find a slim copper tube that fits tight inside the plastic tube to reforce the joint and a **** load of that quick steel putty stuff you could get away with a semi permanent boge

Would fiberglass work?

wammers · Feb 1, 2014

gfromleeds said:
If you can find a slim copper tube that fits tight inside the plastic tube to reforce the joint and a **** load of that quick steel putty stuff you could get away with a semi permanent boge

Would fiberglass work?

Better with Epoxy putty fibreglass is messy.

MrGorsky · Feb 1, 2014

Cheers all,

I have some of that Quick Steel stuff, I'll have a go with that.

The copper tube idea is great, but where would I buy something of that diameter? A model shop?

Datatek · Feb 1, 2014

wammers said:
Araldite does not like heat Keith better with Epoxy putty.

Never had a problem with Araldite at those sort of temperatures. Epoxy putty is easier to use though.

mozz smith · Feb 1, 2014

gorksy ,hi , I have a fully refurbed radiator spare if you want it , and I will send your screwdriver back with it too ,, the rad is off my car = 4.6 v8 thor engine vogue 200 model I bought a brand new one for mine last year and also had a spare then so sent 2 used ones off for refurb and paint so there you go , p.m. your address and I will post it to you Tuesday , its been tested and as you remember it was my engine that was fecked not any of the ancilliary parts so in this case its YOUR good fortune !!!!! way to go mate ,,will await your pm, cheers and kind regards mozz, what goes around comes around

tomcat59alan · Feb 1, 2014

mozz smith said:
gorksy ,hi , I have a fully refurbed radiator spare if you want it , and I will send your screwdriver back with it too ,, the rad is off my car = 4.6 v8 thor engine vogue 200 model I bought a brand new one for mine last year and also had a spare then so sent 2 used ones off for refurb and paint so there you go , p.m. your address and I will post it to you Tuesday , its been tested and as you remember it was my engine that was fecked not any of the ancilliary parts so in this case its YOUR good fortune !!!!! way to go mate ,,will await your pm, cheers and kind regards mozz, what goes around comes around

Star man

gfromleeds · Feb 1, 2014

MrGorsky said:
Cheers all,

I have some of that Quick Steel stuff, I'll have a go with that.

The copper tube idea is great, but where would I buy something of that diameter? A model shop?

Have to check but I think you wouldn't be far off with a piece of copper brake pipe

tomcat59alan · Feb 1, 2014

gfromleeds said:
Have to check but I think you wouldn't be far off with a piece of copper brake pipe

Drill out to fit? or make up with epoxy

MrGorsky · Feb 1, 2014

Mozz, thank you for your kind kind offer! Before we get to posting though, mine is a GEMS 4.6, will it fit?

gfromleeds said:
Have to check but I think you wouldn't be far off with a piece of copper brake pipe

I've done it. Drilled out the hole to 8mm, and used a short length of 8mm copper pipe I had over from when I fitted LPG to my car.

Epoxy'd it in, and it's holding firm at the moment!

Also, I've got a slight weep of oil from around my (not 6 months old) oil filter. It's on pretty tight, done up with a strap wrench, but it's still leaking a bit. Do they leak from there often?

mozz smith · Feb 1, 2014

hi gorsky , I don't think it will fit , I think the top hose is on the opposite end but will check for you , show me a photo of top of your rad and will compare to mine ,, the same thing " the bleed pipe " happened to me as well and did what you did drilled it out and put copper pipe in and glued it but after a few weeks because of high temperature from rad it came away again so scrapped it and changed rad .. anyway your welcome to have it for free plus I will post it for free cos that's the type of person I am ,as I say ive got 2 of them sat in garage ..the other thing regarding oil filter is that you may have trapped the rubber seal !!!!! when tightening it up , so buy a new one "there only cheap" and make sure you clean and check theres no debris on the face of where it fits before tightening up ok mate let me know over rad ,cheers for now mozz !!!!!!!

MrGorsky · Feb 1, 2014

Mozz,

It's a bit dark now, but I'll send you a pic tomorrow.

Thanks again for the offer, if it will fit, I insist on paying the postage. That's the very least I can do.

I'll PM you my address now.

MrGorsky · Feb 1, 2014

The GEMS and the THOR rads are different, that's a pity.

Anyhoo, my copper bodge will hopefully work for a bit.

If I'm going to buy a new radiator, wasn't there a problem with some not having a baffle fitted so it just let the water run across the top and didn't actually cool anything?

How do I avoid buying one of those, do I have to go to Land Rover and get the real thing?

jacckk · Feb 1, 2014

Only the diesels need the baffle I think because it has both hoses at the top.

gfromleeds · Feb 1, 2014

jacckk said:
Only the diesels need the baffle I think because it has both hoses at the top.

It is!
the petrols are normal rads
The diesels have a baffle cos someone thought it was a good idea to have the feed and return at the top

kooky_guy · Feb 5, 2014

My return pipe had been previously snapped off and bodged when I bought mine a few years ago now. It lasted for a few years before it eventually exploded fairly spectacularly.

It had been bodged with some sort of copper radiator fitting and epoxy.

I got a new radiator from Island 4x4 in the end which has been fine, despite my ongoing hg problems.

MrGorsky · Feb 5, 2014

My drill out and copper pipe repair lasted about 2 miles!

All done now though. Fitted an eBay one this afternoon.

Been on a fast test run up the M3 and it all seems fine. Just need to get my stereo back from Clarion now and we'll be in good shape.

Radiator return snapped off!

MrGorsky

Well-Known Member

Datatek

Well-Known Member

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

gfromleeds

Well-Known Member

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

MrGorsky

Well-Known Member

Datatek

Well-Known Member

mozz smith

Well-Known Member

tomcat59alan

Well-Known Member

gfromleeds

Well-Known Member

tomcat59alan

Well-Known Member

MrGorsky

Well-Known Member

mozz smith

Well-Known Member

MrGorsky

Well-Known Member

MrGorsky

Well-Known Member

jacckk

Active Member

gfromleeds

Well-Known Member

kooky_guy

Well-Known Member

MrGorsky

Well-Known Member

Similar threads