How to Temporarily Fix Minor Radiator Leaks

[AB]

Fixing minor leaks in you radiator. American telling the story but similar products here in OZ.

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[cyanobacteria]

Fixing minor leaks in you radiator. American telling the story but similar products here in OZ.



Sure beats a handful of pepper.

[Chris72GQ]

another thing, when you r out in the bush, if you have eggs on you, crack an egg into the radiator,dont ask me how it works but it does.

[beansathome]

another thing, when you r out in the bush, if you have eggs on you, crack an egg into the radiator,dont ask me how it works but it does.

so many people have said the egg and pepper trick but i am yet 2 see that in action. i would love 2 see if it actualy works .

[Chris72GQ]

i have seen it done many years ago by my grandfather on a trip to a relatives station, i was about 10 and back then it was a good 12 - 14 hr trip if the roads had been graded in the previous 3 months,
grandfather pulled over, popped the bonnet, and waited about 1/2 hr before cracking an egg into radiator, started it up for about 5 mins to check it had done the job and topped up water and off we went
about 5 hrs later as we pulled up to the station, the radiator gave way.
it is only a temporary fix and not designed to last forever but got us the 300 odd km's to the station on a day when it was 46c in the shade

[Bigrig]

i have seen it done many years ago by my grandfather on a trip to a relatives station, i was about 10 and back then it was a good 12 - 14 hr trip if the roads had been graded in the previous 3 months,
grandfather pulled over, popped the bonnet, and waited about 1/2 hr before cracking an egg into radiator, started it up for about 5 mins to check it had done the job and topped up water and off we went
about 5 hrs later as we pulled up to the station, the radiator gave way.
it is only a temporary fix and not designed to last forever but got us the 300 odd km's to the station on a day when it was 46c in the shade

Same goes for me, would love to see it - have heard about it plenty of times, and honestly hope I never have to do it, but it would be just a little bit cool to tell the story ... my only question though, where do you get a chicken out in the middle of nowhere!!! lolol

[simongnz]

I've had to use the cracked pepper in a radiator before after some mongrel pulled himself under my car by the fan to disable the alarm before breaking into it. The cracked pepper fixed the radiator for months before I got around to fixing it properly (I was a poor student at the time).

[Dhuck]

When I was a mechanic in a sprint car team we used eggs and pepper. They both worked a treat. How I don't know. The only downfall was if we were racing local we did not have either with us.

[damaverick]

I can also attest to eggs and pepper doing the trick. A tube/container of pepper is probably easier to carry with you than a few eggs though as it is less fragile off road.

How it works is simple - the engine heats up the coolant to a high temperature once the engine is warmed up. This cooks the eggs in your coolant. The coolant will obviously try to find it's way out of the hole where the leak is but the cooked eggs will have blocked that hole. Same deal with the pepper.

Just remember it's only a temp fix and should be fixed properly ASAP as you will probably have air locks in the cooling system after sustaining a leak which can cook the engine over time.

[Bulbous]

Teaspoon of mustard powder also works, but I've heard it lasts a bit longer than the egg. Didn't know about the pepper

[threedogs]

Bigrig don't worry about trying to find a chook out whoop whoop to fix the radiator,
how the heck you gunna get it to sit on the top of radiator, what tape it there.?

Pepper works as it floats and will follow the path of least resistance the leak.
similar with the egg then it sets.


Never use chemiweld unless your selling it next week,
5min flakes work a treat, grab some for the glovebox, handy as
and easy too

[damaverick]

Sounds like a segment they should do on Top Gear.

I wonder how effective curry powder is...

[threedogs]

Works better on Kia Sportage and Great Wall 4x4 lmfao
Maybe even Niva Lada and Tata's

[patch697]

On the subject of quick side of the road get you out of trouble repairs, I keep this product in my Rig & I can tell you first hand it works.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=bSmgEkbp5eM

[nismo404]

Myth Busters did the egg test and it worked. A few friends that are mechanics don't like that stop leaks as they feel the unused particles are just going to block passageways somewhere else in the coolant system.

[zd30elgrande]

The egg cooks in the hot water and expands filling in minor leaks, however it is a short short fix.

[xiyue077]

I have done some cement glue trick before. that can last longer

[xiyue077]

Just another thought, there's pressure built up in the radiator. can egg and pepper stand for that and for how long?

[HOOPER]

thats a really novel way of repairing a hole in your radiator

[Mtiehatten]

I drove around with a banana in the radiator, worked for about 1000 km before the replacement radiator arrived. The older the banana, the better.

I spilled a bit of the banana on the air intake piping, and a week or so later the banana changed into something like chewing gum, I figured that is the way it worked inside the radiator as well.

[meh]

A good product I use is called quicksteel, even hardens under water. Comes in a putty or liquid form

[Cuppa]

I intend to carry some of that 'Rapid Fix' stuff when travelling away from 'civilisation'. Haven't bought any yet though, 'cos it has a limited shelf life of about 12 to 18 months I believe. Bunnings have it.

[gokhangqtd42]

was very helpful...... thanks

[threedogs]

My choice would be a little pkt of silver flakes available from all Auto shops I would imagine.
Wont stuff your motor like Chemiweld or similar. Idle engine tip flakes in and watch before your eyes the leak stop.
Everyone should have some in their tool kit about the size of a roll of 10c coins. Plus Cheap as Chips AA++