Copper radiator

[devilcena2]

Aoa
I am looking for copper double channel radiator for my carby cultus. Silver ones seems to be failing after few months or their tanks start leaking
Can you recommend any brands and any reputable place in Islamabad/Rawalpindi where i can buy?

[the_mira_guy_08]

Only aluminum radiator is worth it. You can get it installed from either @dani_kk at G13 Islamabad or @rajaatta at IJP Road Rawalpindi.

[devilcena2]

Any reputable place where i can buy from in Islamabad/Rawalpindi @the_mira_guy_08

[the_mira_guy_08]

You can get in contact with the people I've mentioned. They are trusted mechanics here on Pakwheels forums and can guide you accordingly on where to get it, prices and installation etc.

[msabbasi]

Aoa
I am looking for copper double channel radiator for my carby cultus. Silver ones seems to be failing after few months or their tanks start leaking
Can you recommend any brands and any reputable place in Islamabad/Rawalpindi where i can buy?

Very strange that you are facing frequent failures of an aluminum radiator. i have a few questions:

1 - Is the radiator you fitted locally made?
2 - Is it a brand new one or used one from a kabariya?
3 - Are you using coolant or plain water?
4 - Are you sure you don't have a head gasket leaking combustion gasses into the cooling system that is over pressurizing it?

Copper radiator will be next to impossible to find, You will have to get one made to order. I don't think there are many old school artisans left alive who even have the skill. The one I knew in the street next to Benazir Hospital passed away a few years ago. If you are able to get a copper radiator, you will have to be mindful of the coolant you select. Coolants that are safe with aluminum tend to eat the solder used to put together the copper radiator. What you need with copper radiator is Inorganic Additive Technology coolant.

[devilcena2]

1- i think its silver radiator not aluminium and i think these are chinese and fitted locally
2- bought new
3- coolant mostly
4- my gasket was showing early failure signs without any heatup issues, i had thermostat and fan auto. According to mechanic radiator might be culprit.
I changed the gasket. But now coolant level seems to drop almost half finger after 10-20 km in reservoir. There is no leakage. Mechanic tightned the head bolts but still i dont understand the problem @msabbasi

[fusion.alive11]

There seems to be something wrong with your cooling system. Aluminium Rad with plastic tank work just fine and it can take years of beating and not leaking. You should change Radiator cap and get your cooling system tested there maybe failing headgasket/choked mineralized water pipes causing extra pressure to build.

Water level going down means either headgasket leak or there is a leak in cooling system somewhere. Getting a copper radiator wont help, your car is building pressure and if a new Alluminium plastic tank is leaking repeatedly it means extra pressure is being built and copper rad will only make the condition worse, your pipes might explode. Is your radiator cap new?

[devilcena2]

Yes cap is new, gasket recently changed, but don't know reason of reducing of coolant, maybe should have gone for thicker gasket but according to mechanic pick would be reduced. Couldn't find any leakage also. Radiator was leaking before gasket change, right now its not leaking. Right now main issue is coolant reduction even after gasket changing @fusion.alive11

[fusion.alive11]

Is thermostat new as well? There is definitely a leak somewhere, if it is a quality coolant it will leave residue. Take a look at metal pipe connecting to the water body. Also on cold start see if you can see any wetness around radiator or any pipes circulating the coolant.

[msabbasi]

Silver and aluminum are one and the same. If you bought new and it is not locally fabricated, I think it is safe to say that radiator is not at fault. If water is not used then we can rule out internal corrosion. That leaves the possibility of system over pressure. Over pressure can be caused by a bad cap that is not allowing hot coolant to go into the expansion bottle. But you say that cap is new. So that leaves the possibility of compression gasses entering the cooling system. A simple test can be done. In the morning when the car is cold, open the radiator cap and start the car. Observe the coolant in the radiator. If you see bubble(s) in the coolant then there is a problem with head gasket.

[Xulfiqar]

@msabbasi

Your input is always top shelf..

For OP

How are you checking coolant level? By opening the radiator cap?

[msabbasi]

deleted

[Xulfiqar]

Havoline/caltex product will leave a slightly oily residue which attracts fine dirt and looks like an oil leak.

Only HOAT and IAT coolants leave the classic salty/crystal residue most people look for.

I prefer a pressure test to find leaks.

[devilcena2]

In morning by checking reservoir bottle and and radiator both. Reservoir has half a finger down level after every 20 kms approximately. Gasket was recently changed, radiator cap is new as well, no apparent leakage @Xulfiqar

[Xulfiqar]

Do not open the radiator cap for no reason, if your overflow bottle keeps on emptying then you have an active leak, and Im pretty sure your hose pipes dont have the original spring type clamps on them either.

[devilcena2]

Yes i dont have those clamps you mentioned.
I didn't see any apparent leakage, Could there be a reason that gasket was not properly installed?
I asked mechanic for thicker gasket but he said it would effect the pick-up @Xulfiqar

[Xulfiqar]

The screw clamps you use on afttermarket hose pipes can leak under high pressure and maybe difficult to trace unless you have a pressure tester.

And if for some reason you need to use those clamps then buy some branded ones like gema/torro or ABA branded ones that can actually work, you also may need to use shellac on the nipple/barb too.

Tl dr

The original spring type clamps are best, they self adjust.

[devilcena2]

Can you share any picture of orignal clamps maybe i can find in local market @Xulfiqar

[uzeemujeeb]

[msabbasi]

In morning by checking reservoir bottle and and radiator both. Reservoir has half a finger down level after every 20 kms approximately. Gasket was recently changed, radiator cap is new as well, no apparent leakage @Xulfiqar

If you cannot see a leakage, it could be that the water pump is leaking. I have seen pumps leak only when the engine is running and so hard to see. As @Xulfiqar said only way to find the leak with a static engine is to use a pressure tester. Sadly this tester is not available at the corner hardware shop.

Here is one on sale with Daraz. I hope it has a cap that will fit your car: https://www.daraz.pk/products/14pcs-universal-radiator-pressure-tester-kit-car-water-tank-leak-detector-i185560463.html