Weird Radiator Problem

[baalamb20]

Hi Guys,
Having a bit of a problem, I have S1 VN and the hose that runs from the top of the radiator to the engine has been leaking abit on the engine side where the hose meets the metal pipe, anyway has also been leaking from behind the water pump, any way went to supercheap and got this radiator stop leak stuff that looks like pool clorine crystals anyway has stopped the leak but my temp guage has been acting weird I'll be driving along and it'll be on the 3rd notch and then i'll slow down a bit it will go to the notch over half for a few seconds then come back down, but the engine doesn't feel hot like it's not leaking anywhere so whats going on? could it be radiator stop leak? should I flush it?

Cheers,
Sean

[havavb]

Start her up on the front lawn or something, let her idle for a 5 mins, see how hot it is. then give it a bit of accelaration for a min or 2 and see how the temp is. My solution to a similar problem, replaced radiator and fluid, by passed the fuse so the thermo fan starts as soon as acc. is switched on (As i dont have a thermo fan switch). Anyway thats my solution, you may have a different problem. But thought id share.

[havavb]

Also forgot to mention, with by passing the switch the car will chew petrol like an 8. Maybe a bit more

[baalamb20]

It's really weird, I hope that radiator stop leak powder stuff hasn't blocked the fins or cores or whatever the hell it does

[chook69]

Hi Guys,
Having a bit of a problem, I have S1 VN and the hose that runs from the top of the radiator to the engine has been leaking abit on the engine side where the hose meets the metal pipe, anyway has also been leaking from behind the water pump, any way went to supercheap and got this radiator stop leak stuff that looks like pool clorine crystals anyway has stopped the leak but my temp guage has been acting weird I'll be driving along and it'll be on the 3rd notch and then i'll slow down a bit it will go to the notch over half for a few seconds then come back down, but the engine doesn't feel hot like it's not leaking anywhere so whats going on? could it be radiator stop leak? should I flush it?

Cheers,
Sean

my option would be go an buy a book on your car.. an save!! so you can buy a new radiator an pipes, new warter pump an gasket kit an in the mean time while you save.. learn the book an put it on your self (thats what i would do) its alot cheaper then replaceing a engine, flushing the radiator is not 100%.. while you driveing it now, just check the engine evry now an then..iv never used stopleak (il'd rather replace it)

[jessie-lea]

had a similar prob with my old vt, we got caught xmas eve in middle of no where with a leaking radiator, found some stop leak at the local BP, threw it in ... drove great for a hour an then it decided to overheat an it looked like a tap running under bonnet, turned out owners before me had used it and when i put a bottle in it did more damage to the hole then good.

edit** ended up buying a radiator boxing day from a friend of a friend... $210 and some new coolant an was a dream to drive temp sat at 1/4 majority of time, lil lower on m1 an half way between quarter an half when in city traffic .. do urself a favour and just replace it before it causes more probs as i learnt the hard way

good luck

[TheIceman]

ah lovely, baalamb20, i see your a mechanics dream. we mechanics love people like you as we get lots of work out of them when they try these things and make things worse.
radiator stop leak is a dodgey way of stopping any leak, in my opinion its only for emergencies as that what it is, stop leak. think about the hole you want to stop leaking, then think about the small holes in your radiator you dont want to plug up. stop leak does exactly what it says it does, STOPS THE LEAK. any small opening where water goes it plugs, it also plugs radiators slowly.
The number of times ive seen blocked radiators because someone has put bottles of stop leak in is astonishing. they have caused more issues than they have fixed. this then required a block flush, heater core flush and to check it hasnt blocked any bleed holes.
Best bet is what chook69 says, get a book on ya car, get a waterpump and fix it properly and while your at it get your radiator flow tested, thats free, take it out take it to a radiator place.

VN's have a temp gauge that does go up and down alot as you drive and idle, check it, rev the engine at around 2500rpm until the radiator fan comes on, then the temp gauge will go down, it normally reaches just over half to 3/4 from memory.
But when your driving constantly around 50km/h+ it should always stay below half unless u got problems.
But what i WOULD be doing is flow testing that radiator as you do ya pump. also, take that host off the pipe, clean it up if its good, then put some holden head stud sealer on it, it will never leak again.

[baalamb20]

Thanks for that guys, had my water pump replaced 6months ago and radiator is only Two years old, The major leak which really doesn't leak that much is behind the water pump (internal pump or something) and Noticed a bit of soot and coolant around the rear welsh plug.
Why the hell do they sell that stuff if it's gonna **** your car.

[TheIceman]

they sell it cause people buy it. radiator replaced 2 years ago means nothing, a radiator can block up in days if you got crap in ya system.
if its leaking behind the waterpump, your timing cover needs removing, time to visit a mechanic if your not good at this sort of thing. your timing cover maybe corroded and starting to leak.
rear welsh plug probably stuffed as well, VN are renown for stuffed welsh plugs. if it is a welsh plug, do them all as the rest wont be far behind. costly, about a 3/4 days work for a mechanic.

[chook69]

dude! dont leave it for too long (stopleak) only lasts for a while an then your back to square 1 again.. so be smart an do the job right the 1st time so it dont come back an bite you big time...