radiator steaming question

[gotchu]

i had my koyo radiator fixed by a radiator specialist - epoxy on the bottom and top part where the leak was

so i got the radiator back and installed n bled..after the car gets to operating temperature..i can start seeing white steam coming out the rad on the top part and when the fan turns on coolant leaks on the bottom part..and when the fans not on it doesn ot leak.

so today i took the rad out and we did a pressure test and smoke test with dye and no leak was found on the radiator which got me scratching my head..

any ideas whats wrong with the rad cuz im getting confused here lol thx in advance

[ILoveMyRHS13]

It could just be burning off any excess coolant that spilled onto it. It's very common.

[gotchu]

weerd

It could just be burning off any excess coolant that spilled onto it. It's very common.

i thoughtt so too but i let the car idle for 30 min and its still smoking

also when the fan turns on..i can see a lil leak on the bottom area and thats where they filled it with epoxy..but pressure tested and smoke test shows no sign of a leak
Modified by gotchu at 12:17 PM 2/13/2010

[Gabes13]

does it over heat?

[gotchu]

no it doesnt over heat .. did compression test and pefect 150 all the way

[str33tprintz]

My guess is when the radiator gets hot it and the epoxy are expanding differently causing enough space between the two for a leak and steam to escape.

This is why patching is so difficult for radiators. Were you able to show the person who patched it the problem before doing pressure checks?

[gotchu]

My guess is when the radiator gets hot it and the epoxy are expanding differently causing enough space between the two for a leak and steam to escape.

This is why patching is so difficult for radiators. Were you able to show the person who patched it the problem before doing pressure checks?

i wasnt able to show it to them in the first place when it was in the car..and i dont want to drive the car while it is steaming..i gave them a call and ill be bringing down the rad there again..but it shows no leak when pressurize..it only leak when its actually on the car itself and coolant in it..so what should i do

[OutToWinPAHC]

Why was it not brazed or tigged?

[str33tprintz]

He is right in my opinion that is the only trusted way to fix a radiator. I think if they cannot fix the problem after your next trip to the shop. Rock that radiator and save for a new one.

[gotchu]

thats where the leak is.. as far as welding it im not shure

[gotchu]

He is right in my opinion that is the only trusted way to fix a radiator. I think if they cannot fix the problem after your next trip to the shop. Rock that radiator and save for a new one.

if they cnt fix it..they shud give back my money or what lol

[OutToWinPAHC]

I wouldn't think so, they tried to fix something that was broken. Aluminum sucks, especially to repair. But epoxy seems a bit rigged IMO. It should have been brazed.

[gotchu]

why wouldnt they refund or smthin since they said its fixed and they could really fix it?

[OM3GA]

Run it for a little bit and see if the epoxy hardens and cures 100% after the heat cycling goes for a little while. IMO i would just buy a new radiator. Go with a Mishimoto if youre tight on cash.

[gotchu]

Run it for a little bit and see if the epoxy hardens and cures 100% after the heat cycling goes for a little while. IMO i would just buy a new radiator. Go with a Mishimoto if youre tight on cash.

it just puzzles me cuz the rad does hold pressure when its out and does not smoke leak when we smoke tested it..relly weerd..any imput on this thank you

[OutToWinPAHC]

You mean go with mishimoto if you want headaches.