A car radiator is an extremely important device for the stable operation of the engine. Sometimes the radiator breaks down, and then even through the smallest holes antifreeze begins to leak.
Necessary
Dry mustard powder, polymer sealant, special soldering iron, solder, "cold welding"
Instructions
Step 1
Find the place where the antifreeze is leaking out of the car's radiator. If the holes are small, it is easiest to seal them up with the help of special additives, which are poured or poured directly into the cooling system through the expander reservoir or through the radiator neck.
Step 2
Dissolve some dry mustard powder in antifreeze and pour the mixture into the car's cooling system. Start the engine. When the antifreeze heats up, the mustard will steam out and reduce or even seal small leaks.
Step 3
Use modern polymer sealants. Pour in the polymerizing agent and warm up the motor. The heated sealant under the influence of air will turn into a strong film in the place where the antifreeze flows. This method is suitable for small hole sizes, no more than 2 mm2. Such a sealant has high cohesion (adhesion of particles of a substance), so the radiator pipes will not suffer.
Step 4
If the holes in the radiator are large and the sealant is powerless, carry out a larger repair. Drain the coolant. Solder the cracks on the copper radiator using a special powerful soldering iron and solder.
Step 5
If the radiator is aluminum, apply "cold welding". It is a special two-component epoxy-based adhesive and sealant. In appearance and structure, it resembles plasticine. Consists of two parts, which must be mixed before use.
Step 6
Try to degrease and dry the seal area. Cover the crack carefully and carefully, observing the technology. Let the cold weld harden and set before starting the car.
Step 7
Prepare for the fact that such a repair is temporary. Be sure to monitor the coolant level in the expansion tank. If the antifreeze continues to leak, add coolant before each exit from the parking lot.
Step 8
Replace the leaky radiator with a new one at the earliest opportunity. At the same time, change to new hoses and clamps for the cooling system of the machine.
