Radiator Issue

[the_red85 Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close the_red85]

Hi all, long time reader, 1st time poster... was hoping i'd never have to post a new topic as it generally means an issue...
Basically had our car serviced the other week, they said there was coolant slowly leaking.
I thought I'd check it out. Noticed the coolant levels had gone down slightly, considering the recent service.
Did find out where the leak is. There is a small rubber tubing running from over the top of the radiator to a small inlet point (guessing this, its either in or out) to the coolant tank.
It seems that part of this connector to the radiator has broken off, so the rubber tubing is connected just with a clamp with about 2mm of connection point inside. See pictures below.

My main question is, (A) am I up for a whole new radiator or (B) can I avoid, and if so how.
Thanks
Joe

[carco Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close carco]

Very common.
Usually seen after the car has been serviced by some clod who leant on the hose snapping the nipple.
You’ll see there’s some fins which reinforce the nipple. By filing the fins back, you’ll have enough nipple to take the hose and clamp.
Next method is to tap a thread in the broken nipple and then glue in a hose barb. This will last as well as the original.
My car had this happen after a service, but of course it’s impossible to prove. I did the filing method which worked perfectly for years.
Then I relented and shouted her a new genuine radiator.
Expensive and quite a big job as the intercooler is attached.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

If above doesn't work aftermarket radiators are just as good and much cheaper than original. Good luck

[the_red85 Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close the_red85]

Very common.
Usually seen after the car has been serviced by some clod who leant on the hose snapping the nipple.
You’ll see there’s some fins which reinforce the nipple. By filing the fins back, you’ll have enough nipple to take the hose and clamp.
Next method is to tap a thread in the broken nipple and then glue in a hose barb. This will last as well as the original.
My car had this happen after a service, but of course it’s impossible to prove. I did the filing method which worked perfectly for years.
Then I relented and shouted her a new genuine radiator.
Expensive and quite a big job as the intercooler is attached.

Hello, thanks for the tips,tried this last night. But no luck. Started the filing but slipped at one point and hit the remainder of the barb piece which almost cracked away. So decided to stop and have re attached with what little is left until I can get replacement. If it weren't for my slip, I can see that this would have worked. Thanks anyway

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

I had this recently. One cheap option is to cut off the plastic and glue in an alloy barb. Given my radiator was 10 years old and I travel remote, opted for new radiator, which has the same shit design.

[Scotty07 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Scotty07]

You can also get an aftermarket alloy radiator

[Mike-B Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mike-B]

Looks like its leaking from the 3/8 drive air bleeder that sits on top of the rad and not the actual hose nipple. Theres an oring that seals that and it usually get torn if not installed with some lubrication. I would check that first if it was me.