Radiator - minor leak

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rjkoop
Posts: 976
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 6:45 am
Your car is a: 1981 Fiat Spider
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Radiator - minor leak

Post by rjkoop »

I've recently replaced the timing belt, hoses and coolant in the car. This included removing the radiator a number of times. I've resolved almost all the leakage issues (oil, coolant) but I noticed that after about 10 minutes of the car running there is a small amount of vapor that appears to be coming from the radiator near the top on the passenger side. I guess when the pressure builds up it forces this vapor out of the radiator. Is my best option to take it out and bring it to a radiator shop? I'm just wondering how much they'll charge and if I should look at an already rebuilt one or a new one. I'm thinking they will charge minimal $100 and if I could get a nearly new or new one for $189 (autoricambi) why not?
76was124
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Posts: 620
Joined: Sun May 16, 2010 4:43 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Detroit Area

Re: Radiator - minor leak

Post by 76was124 »

I had mine repaired (header/tube leak) for $75 in the Detroit area. They, flushed it and cleaned and painted the exterior too.

Did you double check that its not a leaky cap? After mine was repaired I thought I had a new leak, but the coolant was dribbling ever so slightly from under the backside of the cap and ultimately dripping off a fin halfway down the radiator.
Current 81 Spider 2000
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JEEPER
Posts: 136
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2011 6:34 pm
Your car is a: 1979 SPIDER
Location: SANDUSKY OHIO

Re: Radiator - minor leak

Post by JEEPER »

Had mine soldered 20 years ago at Rad Air and they didn't even take it out. Cleveland area.
Tobi

Re: Radiator - minor leak

Post by Tobi »

I had mine repaired last fall ($80) and it was leaking in spring again. Get a new one!
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4uall
Posts: 4145
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:09 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Fiat Pininfarina Spider 2000 F.I.
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: Radiator - minor leak

Post by 4uall »

I had a similar event :( I ended up buying a new rad from the awesome guys at Autoricambi however, they were $299 at the time :cry:

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Guess it depends on your time line. The price is way better now :wink:

Turns out it was a leaky hose :oops:
Jay

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rjkoop
Posts: 976
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 6:45 am
Your car is a: 1981 Fiat Spider
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: Radiator - minor leak

Post by rjkoop »

4uall wrote:I had a similar event :( I ended up buying a new rad from the awesome guys at Autoricambi however, they were $299 at the time :cry:

Image

Image

Guess it depends on your time line. The price is way better now :wink:

Turns out it was a leaky hose :oops:
Thanks Jay. Timeline is now for spring next year... so lots of time.

Still have to tackle rear brakes and then suspension. Other than that some other minor things and looking forward to driving it in spring.
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