Leak from Radiator

having found a small pool of water/(coolant on closer inspection) it would appear I have a small leak from the radiator. The radiator doesn't look in great condition atthe bottom.

So my question is, Radweld for the short term I asume.

but: how much is the labour on fitting a new one? and i suppose hpow much is the part?

it is a DIY job? My ability: i can change disk brakes competently but thats about it....!

They all seem to fail so there are lots of earlier threads on this one. About £140 and an hour or two to fit - not a bad DIY job, especially if your front bumper has been off before.

Mike

You don`t need to remove the bumper.

A few bits of plastic and metal, a few bolts, some wires, two pipes, fan, ...
Just don`t forget to get a new O-ring for lower 90° pipe attachment, you must take it of from old rad and put it on a new one (just press on two parts which stand out on shiny ring and pull it off).

My new rad from NRF was 200€ and new O-ring 1€

with summer coming that rad will need to be done ASAP.

The job is not hard but a bit fiddly, ie no skill but expect a few swear words as your skin gets cut or your screwdriver is a bit too short or too long, that sort of thing, but essentially straight forward.

It may be worth getting the DXE disc off ebay for a fiver to guide you through, then you will feel more confident about doing it.

HTH

Cheers guys

I had done a search but didn't find anything for a 166?! but guessed it would be similar. the Radweld has stopped the drip, and the car has retained coolant now. I will have a better look tomorrow whether its one i can do.

PF if its the original radiator and over 5 yeras old it will be DONE.
As Elbarto says it can be done easily witout removing the bumper.

IIRC the 2 bolts can be got with difficulty and skint knuckles as recorded on a different thread but access is easilt gained thro the wire mesh grill on the front by cutting a hole to accomodate the socket set or prising it off and bending back.
Its an easy job ive changed 2 and unlike Elbarto I reused the original bottome elbow and seal with no problems.

Good luck
Pomeo

I did mine without removing the bumper (or the grille!) but it was quite tricky getting at some of the lower fixings! You also need to look back at earlier threads about taking the bottom connector off the radiator, it wasn't obvious to me but you push the protruding parts of the clip inwards.

Mike

I too used the old elbow, no choice as the new rad did not have it fitted, Valeo as well. Still, no issues with leaks so must have been lucky as I butchered mine somewhat to remove it.

Even with the rad removed I could not work out how to get the elbow off.

You just squeez and pull.

I also used old elbow and O-ring, put antifreez in - all was good until I started the engine.
At that point I got a nice puddle under the front end.

New O-ring cured the problem.

Originally Posted by El Barto

You just squeez and pull.

I also used old elbow and O-ring, put antifreez in - all was good until I started the engine.
At that point I got a nice puddle under the front end.

New O-ring cured the problem.

I couldn't source a new one so I tried the old one and it worked.If it didn't ,like you ElBarto, I would have had to get a new one.

Hope to get mine both looking as good as yours. If Mrs P lets me.

She wants me to sell 1 of them .I say "NO WAY" Well pick one of them to go ."HOW CAN I CHOOSE BETWEEN THEM BOTH THE SAME YET DIFFERENT QUALITIES> ...She always replies well sell both them.....Even less chance.

Your picture galleries are a font of useful information.

Hope you are well and take care.

Pomeo

Originally Posted by purple145

I too used the old elbow, no choice as the new rad did not have it fitted, Valeo as well. Still, no issues with leaks so must have been lucky as I butchered mine somewhat to remove it.

Even with the rad removed I could not work out how to get the elbow off.

Yes it is a sneaky little sucker to work out...Even the second time...Thats where a wee search on this forum refreshes the parts other forums cannot reach.

Pomeo

Originally Posted by Pomeo

...
Your picture galleries are a font of useful information.

Hope you are well ad take care.

Pomeo

Thank you, I`m OK and I hope you are too.

Hang on to your nice Alfas, I`m also past the point of ever selling mine.

does anyone has a good source for a radiator in the UK?

got mine from PartsBuy, IIRC it was about £135, but there was a delayso took about 10 days to come, but they no longer list rads. Nissens on ebay for £150 which seems the standard reasonable price. Not many places carry stock which means a bit of forethought before doing the job.

HTH

cheers Purple, i have so far found one for £150 +carriage + VAT from Alfa Romeo Parts and Alfa Romeo Spares from EB Spares - Specialist Alfa Parts Dealers

so might do a bit more research, but to have a guidline is good

Originally Posted by purple145

got mine from PartsBuy, IIRC it was about £135, but there was a delayso took about 10 days to come, but they no longer list rads. Nissens on ebay for £150 which seems the standard reasonable price. Not many places carry stock which means a bit of forethought before doing the job.

HTH

I got mine from Buypartsby too...Just noticed thanks to purple that they no longer list radiators but do heater matrices...Stange...Perhaps worth a freephone call to see what the quote.

Pomeo

You guys have no radiator repair shops in the UK? Over here , we never change a radiator unless it's passed it..We have excellent repair shops that brings the rad back to new with at least another 4/5 years of life..cost: USD 40 or 20 pounds including off and on....This should be an idea for someone out there to start a new business...

Originally Posted by dafi166

You guys have no radiator repair shops in the UK? Over here , we never change a radiator unless it's passed it..We have excellent repair shops that brings the rad back to new with at least another 4/5 years of life..cost: USD 40 or 20 pounds including off and on....This should be an idea for someone out there to start a new business...

Yep Daf we have the best.

When Pomeo's blew I went to the radiator specialist.

I asked him how mush to re core the radiator..It took him around 40 minutes and phone calls to get me a price.....He said it would be around £200 but he couldn't do it as he couldn't source a core the correct size and specification.I already had a quote for £150 for va brand new one and could get it the next day from the auto shop around the corner.

Yep NEW VALEO (Original spec) arrived next day a lot cheaper than ALfa too.

I have the 2 old ones in storage so that when I find some one who can recore them for £20 each he'll get both jobs.


How much for a recore in Beruit?

Oh I see you have naswered that....And thats removing and fitting....Now where are those radiators...How much is postage to Beruit...Driving over would be excellent but to costly on petrol.

Pomeo

He also said dont re use the bottom elbow it'll leak.I did and it didn't.
Pomeo

Normally Valeo is the OEM supplier of rads to Alfa.

FFS get that Radweld out ASAP and I mean ASAP or it will have become a very expensive little hole in the rad !

Go to Parker's Forum, the Ownership Problems Forum and have a read of "Looking After A Best Friend, Your Cooling System". Flush the cooling system out with Stergene as described.

You are very welcome to copy it and stick it in the right place on here if you like. It's my copyright!

Is radweld that bad? what can it do?

Originally Posted by Pigfarmer

Is radweld that bad? what can it do?

I've always thought that rad weld would go right thourgh your engine and clog everything. Abit like adding fat to an artirey.

But I don't know how it works.