Cast Iron Radiator Leak

James_4

I removed three old cast iron radiators from a home I just bought and had them cleaned out at an automotive radiator "cleaning" shop to both remove the paint on the outside and any mineral build-up on the inside. When we connected the radiators back up, one of them had a four leaks. I have three questions: 1) was it a mistake to have used chemicals to clean the radiators; 2) what can be done to repair the leaks; and 3) the brand name for the radiators is Crane, I have not had any luck locating the company are they still in business?

Ok, four questions does anyone know how to secure a replacement if the leaks are not repairable?

Thanks, Jim

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Check out

"An old Radiator Q&A" under "Hot Tech Topics" on the main page of this site.

To answer your specific questions.

1) Radiators are usually plugged before cleaning (chemically or via sandblasting). The inside can usually be cleaned by flushing with water and changing the position. While the inside may look bad, radiators have such large and so many passages that gunk rarely causes problems with flow. (Steam radiators, because they have air in them more often than steam or water tend to corrode faster than those with water.) I'm not sure what chemical(s) were used nor their effect. Remember though that rust is considered a "protective" coat for the iron underneath.

2) See the article mentioned above. JB Weld does work in some cases, but not others. If leaking from an interior section and the radiator is the type that can't be disassembled you might as well forget attempting to repair. If you're testing under hose pressure and they leaks are VERY, VERY SLOW, they [might] not leak when installed in the system.

3) To my knowledge no American companies manufacture cast iron radiators.

4) Burnham www.burnham.com offers iron radiators in a couple of styles, but I fairly certain they import them from Europe. Tuscan Foundry http://www.tuscanfoundry.co.uk/subcategories.asp?cat=61
has a large selections of styles, but they are in Great Britain. Used rads are still reasonably well available from used building material dealers, some plumbing/heating firms, architectural salvage stores, etc.

John@Reliable_4

This might work

If you can see inside raditor where sections come together,use a long Q-tip soaked in, ready for this "iodine"!
Yes, what we use on cuts. What will happen is it will help promote the rust (seal) that you removed while soaking them. I saw just done on a pinhole leak in a boiler and it worked. Have been told this was also a cure that a certain boiler company used to use on bad castings afew years ago. Has other post said JB weld or any two part epoxy can also give good results. Try to find one that is good for underwater boat repairs,I have used them and they do work 90% of the time. Hope this helps John@Reliable

Joel_7

leak in rad

The previous suggestions are both potential fixes. But, be sure to keep in mind, that whatever solution you try, be confident that it will work. You don't want to return home from a long weekend and find that the radiator has been leaking for three days causing other damage.
Replacing the rads is often the only sure fix for the problem, your mind and your wallet.

Arthur

Cast Iron Rads

Crane Rads were made by Crane Ltd , Head office in London with works in Ipswich England,They used to make Cast iron boilers,Rads etc. I still have one of their Catalogues dated 1953. I'm not sure what finally happened to Crane Ltd but Cast iron Rads are still available from several companies one I know of is Roca in Spain, Who make Boilers,Burners,Pumps,Valves,Castiron rads,Alumimum rads,Steel rads, & expansion tanks.They make some fancy ornate C/I rads just like the real old style.
I have just fitted 11 of their pressed steel rads on to a new school classroom block.