- Locate steam from radiator indicating a pinhole or ruptured seam. You will need to watch this area to determine if leak has stopped.
- Let the car engine cool off enough to take off the radiator cap otherwise you could be scalded by hot water or steam.
- Pour one regular sized container of ground pepper in the radiator. The pepper will flow to the split or pinhole and will harden like a rock and plug the hole.
- If the hole is a bit larger, an egg or two will also work to fix stop the leak. The egg will cook in the hot water and get forced into the hole by pressure. Pressure will work to your benefit in plugging the hole.
- Remember to install the radiator cap so pressure will build and force the pepper or egg into the leak.
- While both methods are temporary, radiators have been permanently repaired by this method, not to leak again.
- If the hole in the radiator is larger and water is pouring out, some plastic body filler, fiberglass resin or quick setting epoxy will work in an emergency.
- In place of black pepper you can also use similar powdered products. Paprika is a specifically good choice
- Commercial leak repair products are also widely available in automotive parts and supply stores. Many of these commercially available products are equal to in price, or even less, than the food product replacement. It should be noted that adding any of these types of products to the cooling system of your car can potentially damage other parts of your car such as plugging the heater core.
- video
- warnings
Ads by GoogleOverheating radiators are very dangerous, be careful as serious burns or death could result from opening a hot radiator cap.- Do not use too much sealer in the mix because your water pump, coolant passages, thermostat and such may become plugged, causing other problems
- Keep a close eye on the water level.
- Any additives may be flushed out by high pressure later when a more permanent professional repair may be made.
- things you will need
- pepper
