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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - radiator crossover tube failure??

Hi
my car AH Sprite MkIV 1275cc is becoming a little incontinent..
Im discounting leaks from water pump (its newly fitted and dry) and hoses and rad as all seems dry in those areas.
At first I thought the bottom hose and clip were failing as that seemed to be where the coolant was coming from. However, having dried that off and re run the engine it seems like the crossover tube itself has failed, possibly corroded as there seems to be water on the underside of this and nowhere else. I have tightened up the drain plug on the underside of the crossover tube by a quarter turn so this could be the culprit? (it sticks out a little way even so; is this normal?)
Is the crossover tube prone to failing?( to be fair it is now over 40 years old.
Just wondering what others experiences are?
cherokeev8

cherokeev8,
don't forget leaks can run and where they terminate may not be where they start

if you think it's the cross over pipe you could wipe it dry then wrap it with kitchen or toilet roll or cover in talc or chalk and see where the wet is and then investigate if it from the crossover pipe or dropping on to it
Nigel Atkins

done the tissue bit but will try talc if no further on!!!
cherokeev8

yes the cross-tube does rust, on the front and underneath. I've seen them so fragile that holes appear when you remove it and try to clean it. They are only 20 quid from Moss (other suppliers are available) so probably worth just fitting a new one.
David Smith

Or, make your own, including an easy to get at drain tap, and fit that.





Lawrence Slater

Is that CPVC Lawrence? I thought I remembered you making one when when this subject came up, but I thought it was copper. Maybe it was someone else that made one in copper?

Charley
C R Huff

Charley,
that's copper painted white
Nigel Atkins

Yup as Nigel says. 22mm copper. I used yorkshire joints on the ends so the hoses would have a 'lip' to be clamped to. -- And also because that's what I had in my plumbing spares. Hamerite smooth white paint.

I cut the original cross tube along it's length, and used the lower section with the mounting bolts as a base, to cable tie my copper version down securely.

I used some rubber padding between the steel base and the the copper, and the drain pipe and the cross member/rack, to prevent chaffing that might wear the copper.

It's working very well indeed.

Lawrence Slater

I see now. The white paint made it look like plastic.

Charley
C R Huff

This thread was discussed between 16/06/2014 and 18/06/2014

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