Technical Advice: Repairing a Leaking Radiator with Sockets and a Torch

Technical Advice: Repairing a Leaking Radiator with Sockets and a Torch – on our site you will find the best spare parts and accessories for cars and motorcycles

SELECT YOUR VEHICLE'S BRAND AND MODEL TO FIND ALL COMPATIBLE PRODUCTS ON RACEXT.

 

-- Category --CarMarineMOTORCYCLESSLED - SNOW MOTORCYCLES

-- Make --

-- Model --

 

 

Search

✅ Choose free delivery to save more

Technical Advice: Repairing a Leaking Radiator with Sockets and a Torch

Before purchasing our products, it is advisable to read the product sheet. If in doubt, do not hesitate to contact us, we will be happy to help you choose the product that best suits your needs

If you are looking for high quality products for your car or motorbike, look no further. We are sure you will find the perfect product for you at Racext. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or requests. We are here to help you make your vehicle perfect.Repairing a leaking radiator inlet is one of the latest tasks on my current project bike, and although it’s a straightforward fix, I’ve never seen a good account of this repair.

Motorcycle liquid cooling systems are quite robust. Consider the torture modern motocross bikes endure! However, coolant will always escape if it finds a way out of the system, and unless you regularly check coolant levels, a leak can turn into a major problem. Old hoses and faulty water pump gaskets are the usual suspects. Another failure mode I’ve seen over the years, and the topic of today’s practical article, is a bent radiator inlet. Trace your coolant leak, and if the issue is an inlet, you’ll see a leak where a hose connects to the radiator.

Radiator inlets can be damaged if care isn’t taken during the removal of old hoses. Over-tightened hose clamps can also cause problems. (I suspect this is how this Kawasaki ZRX1100 was damaged by the previous owner, who had a real issue with excessive tightening.) Inlet walls are thin, so it doesn’t take much to deform one in an accident, during shipping, or even bumping into something in storage. The good news? A propane torch and a handful of sockets should solve your problem for free. Try this method before shelling out for a new radiator.

Drain the coolant and remove the radiator If your bent rad is already off the bike, skip to the next step. For everyone else, get a clean container and drain the cooling system. Removal and cleaning will be much easier this way. Find and disconnect any associated wiring. You’ll probably have a fan and a temperature sensor to disconnect. Unscrew the radiator from the bike and move it to a clean workspace.

Identify the source, gather tools With the radiator on the bench, it should be easy to identify the leaking area. One of the inlets is obviously mangled. The other is passable, although not perfect. Let’s fix it.

You’ll need a variety of sockets and an extended, 8-10 inch long extension. Try to avoid short sockets and wobbly extensions, if possible. If the damage is severe, locking pliers and channel locks might come in handy.

Restore the shape Find the largest socket that fits the dented inlet and attach it to the extension. Fire up the torch and start heating the aluminum with the flame tip. Aim for persuasive heat, not destructive. (Not sure how hot is too hot? Mark bare aluminum on the heated area with a marker. If the mark disappears, you’re overheating.)

Having a friend move the torch to evenly heat the area during the next step is helpful, but you can also do it solo if you work quickly.

Attach the socket to the extension for an improvised forming tool. Using the extension as a handle, roll and push the dent with the socket. Focus on making room to fit the next socket, avoiding the temptation to do all the work with one size. Switch to larger sockets as soon as possible for the best results. Add a bit of heat, pull a bit more, and keep working back and forth until the inlet is round again. I had to use a small pair of channel locks to refine the edge of the burr before fitting my final socket.

Reinstall and inspect Check for burrs and sharp edges before reinstalling. Reinstall the radiator, refill the coolant system, and check for leaks after a few miles, just in case.

Coolant leaks are a headache, and radiators are expensive. Rather than spend €727.85 on a Kawasaki ZRX1100 radiator or roll the dice with a €100 unit from eBay, the above method got me back on the road, drip-free, in less than an hour. I’ve used this technique on motocross bikes, street bikes, and even some non-motorcycle projects. When it comes to occasional jobs like this, sometimes you already have the tools you need. You just have to see them in a new light. Shipping times are around 7 business days, and shipping is through negotiable fast shipping.

Our international couriers might have slight delays due to the current situation, but our support team will always be available for any assistance you may need.

🌊 RACEXT QUALITY GUARANTEE

Every Racext performance product is thoroughly tested and guaranteed, even if it doesn’t feature a visible logo. Due to production and logistical reasons, some products may not carry the Racext branding directly on the item.

However, rest assured that all our products undergo rigorous quality checks and are backed by Racext’s commitment to performance and reliability.

📅 EXCLUSIVE MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION

Our trusted partners manufacture each product according to our specific technical requirements, ensuring that every item meets Racext’s high standards. All our products are exclusively sold by Racext and are not distributed by other companies.

Even though some of our partners commercialize similar products for cars, these items are not compatible with motorcycles due to distinct resistance and amperage requirements.

🔧 PRECISION-CALIBRATED CHIP TUNING DEVICES

When it comes to our chip tuning devices, the resistance is precisely calibrated to be perfectly adapted to different vehicles, such as motorcycles. This ensures optimal performance, compatibility, and a smooth ride without any risk to your vehicle’s electronic systems.

Racext chip tuning devices are specially designed to meet the unique demands of motorcycle performance systems, guaranteeing that your bike runs efficiently and reliably.

🔒 QUALITY STANDARDS ACROSS ALL PRODUCTS

This high standard of exclusive design, manufacturing, and compatibility applies to all Racext products available for purchase. Every item in our catalog is crafted with the same dedication to performance, safety, and quality.

🔧 PERFORMANCE YOU CAN TRUST, QUALITY YOU CAN SEE

Disclaimer 

TRANSPARENT SHIPPING POLICY

Cutoff time 22:00 (GMT+01:00) Central European Standard Time (Amsterdam)
Order Processing Time 1-3 days (Mon-Fri)
Delivery time 3-6 days (Monday-Friday)

Our orders are free of shipping costs.

We use the following shipping couriers:

• PostNL
• Dhl
• UPS
• DPD
• Cainiao

The customer will receive the tracking information in 1-3 days directly in his email. Please contact us if you have not received the email or check your spam emails

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: PRODUCTS INTENDED EXCLUSIVELY FOR SPORTING AND COMPETITIVE USE

Important: Before proceeding with the purchase or use of our sport exhausts, please read the following notice carefully.

The products sold through this website are intended exclusively for sporting and competitive use. This means they have been designed and manufactured to be used in controlled environments, such as closed circuits or areas designated for sporting competitions, where emission and noise regulations may differ from those applied on public roads.

Public Road Use Not Allowed: It is emphasized that the installation and use of these devices on vehicles intended for circulation on public roads may not be permitted under the laws of your reference country regarding emission and noise regulation, as they are not designed for road use but for sporting use.

Buyer’s Responsibility: It is the buyer’s responsibility to ensure that the use of the purchased products complies with all applicable laws and regulations. The buyer assumes all legal liabilities for any non-compliant use of the products, including the installation and operation of such devices on unauthorized vehicles or in ways that violate applicable laws.

By continuing with the purchase, the buyer acknowledges and agrees that the use of the products is limited to sporting and competitive contexts as defined above and assumes full responsibility for any legal consequences arising from improper use of the products.

Technical Advice: Repairing a Leaking Radiator with Sockets and a Torch

Compatibility:

It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that the product is compatible with their vehicle. We recommend consulting with a professional mechanic before purchasing to confirm compatibility. Racext is not responsible for any issues that may arise from the use of our products, including but not limited to damage to the vehicle or personal injury.

Warranty:

All of our products come with a 2-year warranty in accordance with international standards. If you experience any issues with your product within the warranty period, please contact us for assistance. The warranty does not cover damages caused by improper installation, misuse, or external factors such as accidents or natural disasters.

Returns

ABOUT US

ADDRESS: Creative Tower – Hamad Bin Abdulla Road – Office 4201 – Fujairah – U.A.E.

E-mail : info@Racext.com

Contact form : Get in touch

Phone : +971 58 859 1706

Company name : Digitanow International group FZe

Company Number : AE18048/2020

Tax registration number: AE18048 2020

Customer service : Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Terms and Conditions

This website provides only the product with well-indicated codes and specifications. Please rely on an experienced workshop for the installation and choice of the product. We do not assume any responsibility for errors in choice, installation, or programming of the devices.

*The price is intended for a single product

*Days are always working days

All guides on this website are for illustrative purposes only. For many products, the use of special tools may be necessary. We always recommend seeking the advice of a specialized repair center for the selection and installation or programming of products purchased anywhere. We do not assume any responsibility for damage to property or persons, or user errors in the application of a guide on this website or for any other occurrence.

Product is not original but fully interchangeable with it

All rights reserved. All trade names and logos are registered trademarks of the respective manufacturers indicated

The trademarks mentioned on this site are the exclusive property of the automotive companies and are used here exclusively to facilitate the search for vehicles by our customers. We do not assume any responsibility for damages to property or persons, or user errors in the application of a guide on this website or for any other occurrence.

Secure Payments

When making purchases on our website, you can be confident that your transaction is secure. All financial transactions are processed on the secure and certified servers of PayPal or Stripe. These platforms allow us to accept payments from all VISA, VISA ELECTRON, MAESTRO, POSTEPAY, AMERICAN EXPRESS, AURA, and DISCOVER credit cards.

Quality Guarantee

Choose safety, savings, and professionalism by choosing us. We offer top-level customer support that will never leave you alone during the pre- and post-purchase phases. We offer top-quality products and intelligent, secure savings. Don’t trust inexperienced sellers.

NOTE: In the event that the product is not available in stock, we reserve the right to issue a full and immediate refund.

[mailpoet_form id=”3″]