Towing with radiator leak

outnumbered · Mar 16th, 2009, 19:45

hi all
please dont jump down my throat, i have noticed over the past week a coolant smell at the front off the car , did a check and at the bottom theres the tell tale sign of the white powder,the amount off coolant loss is minimal. this weekend i want to get away with the van, 140 miles round trip , roads motorway A roads all flat apart from one big hill.your opinions as to go or not go.
thanks
mike

Roger Jennings · Mar 16th, 2009, 19:51

No one should jump down your throat for this one! If possible I would take the car to a dealer or garage for a cooling system pressure test. This should confirm your suspicions and identify the problem area. Is the white powder around the bottom hose connection to the rad in which case it may tighten up and solve the problem or perhaps the hose needs replacement or is it on the bottom of the rad which may then require replacement. If it's a small leak then some proprietory rad sealer might be the temporary fix. Either way I would investigate further but hopefully not let it prevent me from going!

Good luck

outnumbered · Mar 16th, 2009, 21:10

checked all the fittings tried the stop leaks no change the white powder is about 2ins up from the nearside bottom the only issue really would be the hill and the extra load on the engine. i have ordered a new rad from simon which will be hear this week but this weekend instead of doing the rad we want off for the weekend no brainer really. will take the emergancy water and egg
thanks for your help.
mike

rippedoffagain · Mar 16th, 2009, 21:27

Keep an eye on the temperature gauge. If it looks too warm at it is not convenient to let the car rest, or when you get to the big hill, turn your heater and fan on full whack. As the coolant also supplies the heater matrix, this will help cool the ever diminishing coolant.

Top tip: You'll need the windows open if you use the heater trick, unless you fancy a mobile sauna.

outnumbered · Mar 16th, 2009, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by rippedoffagain

Keep an eye on the temperature gauge. If it looks too warm at it is not convenient to let the car rest, or when you get to the big hill, turn your heater and fan on full whack. As the coolant also supplies the heater matrix, this will help cool the ever diminishing coolant.

Top tip: You'll need the windows open if you use the heater trick, unless you fancy a mobile sauna.

thanks the hill in question is past south cave turn right up the hill to walkington then beverly. looking at google earth i could go southcave to marketweighton then to beverly and cut out the hill again a bit longer but will help
thanks for your input
mike

Grim Deano · Mar 16th, 2009, 21:47

try some rad weld see if that cures the leak until you can get done properly.

tykey · Mar 17th, 2009, 10:48

The leak won't be any worse for towing, and the engine won't run any hotter because of the leak. So if you would drive there without the caravan, then I'd take the caravan. But if you actually run out of coolant, the consequences on the car engine will be a bit worse a bit quicker.

At least with the caravan, you will have somewhere to make a cuppa while the rescue service arrives.

If you use the heater trick up long drags, then turn off the air-con as well.

outnumbered · Mar 17th, 2009, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by tykey

The leak won't be any worse for towing, and the engine won't run any hotter because of the leak. So if you would drive there without the caravan, then I'd take the caravan. But if you actually run out of coolant, the consequences on the car engine will be a bit worse a bit quicker.

At least with the caravan, you will have somewhere to make a cuppa while the rescue service arrives.

If you use the heater trick up long drags, then turn off the air-con as well.

good point on the cuppa, the site with the hill is fully booked so going to lincoln which is flat,
rad came today so i could take it with me and do it on site NOT will leave it untill next week.
thanks
mike

mike

outnumbered · Mar 18th, 2009, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by outnumbered

hi all
please dont jump down my throat, i have noticed over the past week a coolant smell at the front off the car , did a check and at the bottom theres the tell tale sign of the white powder,the amount off coolant loss is minimal. this weekend i want to get away with the van, 140 miles round trip , roads motorway A roads all flat apart from one big hill.your opinions as to go or not go.
thanks
mike

hi all.
many thanks for your input and help, i changed the rad today took me about 2 hrs plus a bit more because i didnt tighten the bottom hose properly and the coolant went everywhere. looking at the old rad it was on its way out so glad i did it.
thanks
mike

JimDay · Mar 19th, 2009, 12:38

Mike get some of this stuff good bit of kit you can put it in as a preventative against any other leaks
http://www.ksealit.com/k-seal-98-p.asp

Mar 16th, 2009, 19:45	#1
outnumbered Lunatic from Wakefield Last Online: Apr 16th, 2023 06:33 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: wakefield	Towing with radiator leak hi all please dont jump down my throat, i have noticed over the past week a coolant smell at the front off the car , did a check and at the bottom theres the tell tale sign of the white powder,the amount off coolant loss is minimal. this weekend i want to get away with the van, 140 miles round trip , roads motorway A roads all flat apart from one big hill.your opinions as to go or not go. thanks mike __________________ 2012 volvo xc90 Executive Buccaneer Bermuda 2021

Mar 16th, 2009, 21:10	#3
outnumbered Lunatic from Wakefield Last Online: Apr 16th, 2023 06:33 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: wakefield	checked all the fittings tried the stop leaks no change the white powder is about 2ins up from the nearside bottom the only issue really would be the hill and the extra load on the engine. i have ordered a new rad from simon which will be hear this week but this weekend instead of doing the rad we want off for the weekend no brainer really. will take the emergancy water and egg thanks for your help. mike __________________ 2012 volvo xc90 Executive Buccaneer Bermuda 2021 Last edited by outnumbered; Mar 16th, 2009 at 21:12.

Mar 19th, 2009, 12:38	#10
JimDay Mad Murdoch Last Online: Feb 3rd, 2021 12:15 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hampshire View Photos By: JimDay	Mike get some of this stuff good bit of kit you can put it in as a preventative against any other leaks http://www.ksealit.com/k-seal-98-p.asp __________________ "If It Ain't Broke Don't Try To Fix It" Jim Day 1999 V70 2.5 T SE Auto "ME7" Caravan = 2003 Swift Charisma 550 4 Berth

Mar 16th, 2009, 19:51	#2
Roger Jennings VOC Member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2024 20:55 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Yorkshire	No one should jump down your throat for this one! If possible I would take the car to a dealer or garage for a cooling system pressure test. This should confirm your suspicions and identify the problem area. Is the white powder around the bottom hose connection to the rad in which case it may tighten up and solve the problem or perhaps the hose needs replacement or is it on the bottom of the rad which may then require replacement. If it's a small leak then some proprietory rad sealer might be the temporary fix. Either way I would investigate further but hopefully not let it prevent me from going! Good luck

Mar 16th, 2009, 21:27	#4
rippedoffagain Premier Member Last Online: Nov 16th, 2019 18:20 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Yorkshire	Keep an eye on the temperature gauge. If it looks too warm at it is not convenient to let the car rest, or when you get to the big hill, turn your heater and fan on full whack. As the coolant also supplies the heater matrix, this will help cool the ever diminishing coolant. Top tip: You'll need the windows open if you use the heater trick, unless you fancy a mobile sauna.

Mar 16th, 2009, 21:47	#6
Grim Deano Junior Member Last Online: Dec 31st, 2010 01:06 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: grimsby	try some rad weld see if that cures the leak until you can get done properly.

Mar 17th, 2009, 10:48	#7
tykey Senior Member Last Online: Jul 14th, 2019 12:42 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: sheffield	The leak won't be any worse for towing, and the engine won't run any hotter because of the leak. So if you would drive there without the caravan, then I'd take the caravan. But if you actually run out of coolant, the consequences on the car engine will be a bit worse a bit quicker. At least with the caravan, you will have somewhere to make a cuppa while the rescue service arrives. If you use the heater trick up long drags, then turn off the air-con as well.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)