Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Webby the Bear on 25 August 2013, 09:48:17

Title: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 25 August 2013, 09:48:17
Hi guys,

I like to be proactive and due to my radiator drain plug (ford) leaking yesterday I fixed it but want to be prepared if it happens again. I was searching for a new radiator drain plug and came across this stuff...

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_743657_langId_-1_categoryId_255217#tab3

I personally would never use this. I don't like the idea of putting some sort of sealant in the system and gumming up the works.

BUT I did notice that everyone who's used it has given it 5 stars EVEN for people with combustion leaks in to the coolant.

As said I still personally wouldn't use it but has anyone had any experience of it themselves? out of interest :)
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: tunnie on 25 August 2013, 09:52:45
No no no no no no no no no....errr no!  ;D

Terrible stuff, I've seen what this does to a radiator, it can seriously affect cooling long term gets stuck in the heater matrix too.

Removed an Omega rad with this stuff in it, filled it with boiling water. Hot at the edges, stone cold in the centre  ::)
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 25 August 2013, 09:55:12
No no no no no no no no no....errr no!  ;D

Terrible stuff, I've seen what this does to a radiator, it can seriously affect cooling long term gets stuck in the heater matrix too.

Removed an Omega rad with this stuff in it, filled it with boiling water. Hot at the edges, stone cold in the centre  ::)

Exactly what I thought mate  :y

I assume this is the equivalent of that stop leak shite
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 25 August 2013, 10:04:31
No no no no no no no no no....errr no!  ;D

Terrible stuff, I've seen what this does to a radiator, it can seriously affect cooling long term gets stuck in the heater matrix too.

Removed an Omega rad with this stuff in it, filled it with boiling water. Hot at the edges, stone cold in the centre  ::)

+1
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: PhilRich on 25 August 2013, 10:19:09
I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole Webby. As said it gums up the Rad. and anywhere else with small/restricted waterways. So unless you dislike the car/person, steer clear! ;D
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 25 August 2013, 10:23:22
You're better off cracking an egg into the rad Webby!  ;) At least that's environmentally friendly!!  :y
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 25 August 2013, 10:51:33
You're better off cracking an egg into the rad Webby!  ;) At least that's environmentally friendly!!  :y

Yep.....done that.

It works .....sort of. :y
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: mantahatch on 25 August 2013, 11:08:44
Some people swear at it and others swear by it.


I would add that some manufacturers actually add it on the production line even now.
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: 05omegav6 on 25 August 2013, 11:25:55
Some people swear at it and others swear by it.


I would add that some manufacturers actually add it on the production line even now.

Name and shame please. Be useful to know for avoidance purposes as the cars must be truly shocking to require it from new :o
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: tigers_gonads on 25 August 2013, 11:26:28
Yes it works BUT sell the car afterwoods  ;)
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: omega3000 on 25 August 2013, 12:10:31
My mate put 2 lots of that in his Omega 2.5 and it killed it  ;)
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: biggriffin on 25 August 2013, 12:11:03
We use to put dog turds in all the saloons,rally, etc as when stone or owt went thro the rad didnt  dump all the coolent and knacker the engine and overheat, never had problems with them,can now buy it pre-mixed, (barrs) not as intrusive as radweld.
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: Shackeng on 25 August 2013, 12:16:00
Interesting, IIRC  when I was running an XJ6 about 30 years ago, a service requirement was to add Barr's Leaks at certain intervals, or have I made that up? :-\ :-\ :-\
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: kevinp58 on 25 August 2013, 12:42:52
As others have said NOIt will block everything else too, get it sorted properly.  :y
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: chrisgixer on 25 August 2013, 20:52:16
Yes. Works very well actually.

Old 2.5 in my pre forum days, couldn't find the leak which later turned out to be oil cooler cover plate, going by the guides on here. One bottle stopped the leak and got me and the car through winter. It was loosing about a litre a week.

Where I think people go wrong is expecting it to plug huge holes and keep chucking bottle after bottle in, then bung up the whole system.

One bottle per system, if that doesn't fix it, nothing will. I heard a rumour Jaguar used it in all their new cars at one time. But that's quite possibly bollards, I wouldn't know.

But my first hand experience? It works well. Sold the car about two years later, no related issues.


Squabble all you like, btw, that's what happened. :)
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: chrisgixer on 25 August 2013, 20:55:15
I would ask those that don't like it, what would you do with a failed core plug on a3.0 litre head?

I know what I'd do. Bottle of bars.

Only one mind. ;)
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: Lazydocker on 25 August 2013, 20:57:17
I've always found K-Seal better. The radweld will work on small holes but does have the potential of causing issues.

K-Seak only sets where it meets air. That doesn't mean it's problem free but I find it more effective and less likely to cause a blockage :y

However, first advice would be to get the leak sorted ;)
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: symes on 25 August 2013, 20:59:54
webby use an O ring mate-that should do it-fixed mine
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: tooleater on 25 August 2013, 21:05:27
I recently watched a Polish chap come into a local shop in London Nw2 where I use to live,buy a bottle of Hob Brite walk over to the Golf Tdi he was driving,selling open expansion tank and poured the whole lot in. WHAT ON EARTH :o
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: TheBoy on 25 August 2013, 21:13:28
I'd only use these bodge tools as an utterly last resort.
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: 05omegav6 on 25 August 2013, 21:20:10
I'd only use these bodge tools as an utterly last resort.

Will it work with oil ::)
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: TheBoy on 25 August 2013, 21:21:37
I'd only use these bodge tools as an utterly last resort.

Will it work with oil ::)
Not without blocking all the other small oilways.

Hmmm, TB contemplates sawdust ;D
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: tooleater on 25 August 2013, 21:26:53
They do Flog alot of motors in this neck of the woods,heck I would never buy a motor at dodgy address,off the street and from a Pol, would I ;D ;D
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: chrisgixer on 25 August 2013, 21:28:05
I'd only use these bodge tools as an utterly last resort.

Indeed. Initially on the 2.5, I thought it was the last resort at the time. But never say never. ;)

I really don't see a problem with the correct dose. (Moment of doubt, as memory fails, is 1 bottle the correct dose? How bigs the bottle, to how much coolant? Oh never mind ;D )
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: TheBoy on 25 August 2013, 21:29:40
never say never
I never did say never.

Is that enough nevers?
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: tooleater on 25 August 2013, 21:33:39
In all honesty I was so shocked :o Im not sure did he pour it in the water or Bloody engine :-X
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: chrisgixer on 25 August 2013, 21:34:58
never say never
I never did say never.

Is that enough nevers?
Good, and no, never. ;D
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: tooleater on 25 August 2013, 21:41:03
Must be a cheap Polish Slick 50 :y
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: chrisgixer on 25 August 2013, 21:48:52
In the coolant surely?
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: tooleater on 25 August 2013, 22:10:22
not 100% sure,but either way he looked like he new what he was doing,shame about the poor barstewards that would be buying as they only deal with there own,such lovely people >:(
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: chrisgixer on 25 August 2013, 22:16:19
not 100% sure,but either way he looked like he new what he was doing,shame about the poor barstewards that would be buying as they only deal with there own,such lovely people >:(

He might be flushing it. ...might. :-\
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: henryd on 25 August 2013, 23:59:14
I've always found K-Seal better. The radweld will work on small holes but does have the potential of causing issues.

K-Seak only sets where it meets air. That doesn't mean it's problem free but I find it more effective and less likely to cause a blockage :y

However, first advice would be to get the leak sorted ;)

+1,never had an issue with K seal,about the only one I would use though :y
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: Andy B on 26 August 2013, 00:05:17
If Radweld was such a problem, they'd have gone bust ................... I do get the suggested reasons as to why not  ;)
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: Jimbob on 26 August 2013, 05:46:04
I had a weeping core plug....And radweld sorted it until the heads were done.

That said my heater matrix needed flushing every month or 2 to provide heat afterwards!
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: mantahatch on 27 August 2013, 07:43:40
Sorry . to early in the morning.
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 27 August 2013, 10:33:50
Thanks for the input guys. As I stated initially i'm not in to bodge jobs. Would like to get it sorted properly.

i'm going to follow Symes's advice and get a new drain plug... if that doesn't work i'll pop an extra 'o' ring on and see if that does the trick.

IF it doesn't I presume it's new rad then... just to cure a dodgy drain plug? :(

is the consensus that this stuff is useable.....to save me buying a new expensive rad.....

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-accessories/engine-oils-and-car-fluids/car-additives/cooling-system-treatment/?542770100&0&cc5_171&gclid=CPzc5MConbkCFbQetAodnVMACQ
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 27 August 2013, 12:36:58
well mums been driving it around and had a look today and theres definitely no leaks. i wonder if it was simply dripping from where i accidentally dumped a loada coolant out when bleeding as it went all over the engine bay  ::)

I got a spare drain plug just in case.  :y
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: symes on 27 August 2013, 13:35:18
Glad all good matey :y :y :y
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: aaronjb on 27 August 2013, 13:38:56
I heard a rumour Jaguar used it in all their new cars at one time. But that's quite possibly bollards, I wouldn't know.

Wasn't that meant to have been Bar's? Actually, yes .. a quick google shows that the handbook even told you to add a bottle if you changed the radiator!

Proper British engineering.. if the fluid isn't leaking, it's probably empty ;D
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: Shackeng on 27 August 2013, 17:17:21
I heard a rumour Jaguar used it in all their new cars at one time. But that's quite possibly bollards, I wouldn't know.

Wasn't that meant to have been Bar's? Actually, yes .. a quick google shows that the handbook even told you to add a bottle if you changed the radiator!

Proper British engineering.. if the fluid isn't leaking, it's probably empty ;D

I thought it was recommended to add it to my Jag XK6 coolant system at some service intervals, but I may be dreaming, it was about 30 years ago. :-\ :-\ :-\

PS Still got a bottle on the shelf from that period, so I bought it for something.!
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 27 August 2013, 21:24:36
Is the consensus that barrs....
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_208015_langId_-1_categoryId_255217
...is ok to use? just out of future reference :)
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: aaronjb on 28 August 2013, 10:12:07
I heard a rumour Jaguar used it in all their new cars at one time. But that's quite possibly bollards, I wouldn't know.

Wasn't that meant to have been Bar's? Actually, yes .. a quick google shows that the handbook even told you to add a bottle if you changed the radiator!

Proper British engineering.. if the fluid isn't leaking, it's probably empty ;D

I thought it was recommended to add it to my Jag XK6 coolant system at some service intervals, but I may be dreaming, it was about 30 years ago. :-\ :-\ :-\

PS Still got a bottle on the shelf from that period, so I bought it for something.!

The bit I read was in an XJS manual, but similar vintage  :y Knowing Jaguar I wouldn't mind betting my XJ12 (XJ40) manual says the same thing.. ;D
Title: Re: Holts Radweld. Anyone used it?
Post by: Shackeng on 02 September 2013, 18:52:10
I can't find it in the Jag XJ6 Haynes book, but I seem to recall it was in the genuine Jaguar Service Manual which I let go with the car. :-\ :-\ :-\