Need a recommendation for local shop to pressure test rad

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

My radiator is leaking and I might need to have it pressure tested. Anybody have a recommendation in the Raleigh area for a half-decent radiator shop?

Thanks.

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Tue Oct 29, 2013 3:08 pm

Sapps did good work for me both on testing/recoring the Z's radiator and sealing its gas tank back in 2006-7.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Oct 29, 2013 3:29 pm

Steven Carter wrote:

Sapps did good work for me both on testing/recoring the Z's radiator and sealing its gas tank back in 2006-7.

2nd this. Sapps has always been my go to place for radiator work...

BretLuter · **Posted:** Tue Oct 29, 2013 8:28 pm

If you have time and inclination, you can test it yourself pretty easily. A couple rubber pipe plugs and an air fitting with few psi of pressurized air and you'll spot any leaks pretty quickly if you can get it submerged in a container of water.

http://www.amazon.com/Rubber-Winterizin ... B002XKHJQS

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

Sapps is great. Didn't charge me for the pressure test and found that the headers (?) on the radiator were leaking from both cores.

Getting an RMA for my radiator! Woo.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Oct 30, 2013 8:08 pm

Andrew Jonell wrote:

My radiator is leaking and I might need to have it pressure tested. Anybody have a recommendation in the Raleigh area for a half-decent radiator shop?

Thanks.

I'm confused. You know it is leaking and you want a pressure test to see if it is leaking? :lol:

Just kidding. FYI I tried to fix my own radiator once in about 1977 (brass with solder). Ended up taking it to a radiator shop via bicycle. :oops:

I used http://www.northraleighradiator.com/ the last time I had the race car rads cleaned and checked. Used to use a shop off Westgate but it is gone now (I think the owner passed away

).

Dick

jeremy gast · **Posted:** Thu Oct 31, 2013 7:50 am

It is a Miata, just replace the damn thing. No need to spend the $$ to get it tested we all know they fail!

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Oct 31, 2013 8:46 am

jeremy gast wrote:

It is a Miata, just replace the damn thing. No need to spend the $$ to get it tested we all know they fail!

Don't all NA Miatas have brass end tanks? Where is it leaking? Brass end tanks are easily repaired since it's not made from that plastic crap.

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

It was leaking from both cores at the headers. I have this radiator: http://trackspeedengineering.com/produc ... ucts_id/83

I wanted to get it pressure tested and fixed if possible; however, Andrew from TSE shipped another radiator to me free of charge. Big props to both Sapps and Trackspeed!

Talking with one of the guys at Sapps was hilarious because radiator repair guys hate aluminum because it's impossible to work with, but car guys love aluminum because it's lightweight and fairly robust.

jeremy gast · **Posted:** Thu Oct 31, 2013 10:48 am

VK, STOCK they have plastic upper and lower tanks and all seem to seep.

Glad TSE fixed you up, that is good stuff right there.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Oct 31, 2013 4:31 pm

jeremy gast wrote:

VK, STOCK they have plastic upper and lower tanks and all seem to seep.

Hmmm, mine must not be stock because it's definitely brass. Damn thing doesn't have a drain plug either, which I'm now finding is more and more common on newer vehicles.

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

Drain plugs or the lack of one?

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