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Have you looked into your toolbox lately? Odds are that, somewhere in there is a radiator repair kit. Most people don’t even know they have this and, even if they were aware of its existence, it is most likely that they have no idea how to use them. Thinking that it is way too complicated to even try to figure out their usage, they opt to have their radiator hoses replaced. If it’s the radiator itself that is faulty, they have that replaced, too.

 

Well, that is not really a practical solution. For one thing, it’s not friendly with your budget and finances if you pay for a replacement every time it overheats. You may not know it, but you are spending way too much when the problem could have been easily solved with a twist here, a plug there, or another simple solution

 

Radiator repair kits normally have some or all of the following:

 

1.Hose couplings. Often radiator hose leaks are caused by broken connections between and among the hoses. Radiator repair kits often have hose couplings, which are basically connectors used on the end of hoses to “couple” or connect them with other hoses. Some repair kits have more than one size of these couplings, just in case the hoses happen to be of varying sizes.

 

2.Hose clamps. Loose attachments and fittings of the radiator hose into the radiator itself could also lead to some leaks. That is why repair kits also often have hose clamps, or hose clips, as they are also called. These clamps are used to attach and seal a hose onto the radiator fittings.

 

3. Rubber Cement. You may have seen bike tires’ inner tubes being patched using rubber cement. Well, rubber cement could also be used to patch the site of the leak in a hose. The advantage of this comes with the material. Since most hoses are made of rubber, rubbing a thin layer of rubber cement would go well with the hose. It works the same way a sealant does.   

 

4.Radiator Sealant. If the leak is from the radiator itself, applying a radiator sealant on the walls of the radiator will effectively coat over and cover the small holes where the leaks are coming out of. If it is a leaking hose, the radiator sealant could also successfully stop the leak. This is just a temporary fix for emergency cases, though. After a while, the sealant will wear off and the leak will once again be exposed. Before that happens, have your radiator be given the attention it deserves from a professional.

 

5.Radiator Hose Repair Tape.  And it shouldn’t be just any tape, either. Make sure it is heavy-duty. The more fast-acting it is, the better. It should be resistant to heat and safe to use.  There are a lot of silicone tapes nowadays that are self-fusing, making it easier to use on emergency radiator hose repairs. When you look at things more objectively, you may come to the conclusion that your repair kit could be composed only of a duct tape and you’d still be able to do the necessary repairs should the need arise. After all, it works just as well (even better) for sealing in or plugging leaks as the sealants and rubber cement tubes.

 

Go back to your toolbox and try to check out what is in your radiator repair kit. In fact, sometimes, a repair kit isn’t even necessary. Some motorists get by wonderfully with just the right kind of duct tape or self-fusing silicone tape. So the next time you find yourself with an overheating radiator, pause for a while, step back, and make an objective assessment. You just might save yourself a lot of money – and a whole lot of hurt – when you do.