RowdyRebel Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Good news: Found my coolant leak. The metal pipe from the lower radiator was rubbing on a tab on the side of the engine block. It was dented & a hole knocked in it...thus the leak. Bad news: I had a run to make. ...and it was going to be a mediocrely decent day. Nothing to write home about, but profitable nonetheless. Good news: I had stuff laying around that could be put to good use...namely 1/2 tube of ultra-black RTV, an old blown-out piece of hose, some zip ties, a bungee cord, and a shop rag. Smeared the RTV on the scrap piece of hose & wrapped it around the pipe. Zip ties (120 lb break strength...the good ones) held it in place & clamped it tight. The bungee wraps around the hose and frame rail to keep the hose off the tab on the side of the engine that caused the leak in the first place. The shop rag? Put that on just to be a visual indicator as to whether or not it was still leaking when I'd check it during the day...dry rag = happy me. Haven't lost a drop since. Debating if I should pull it off and try to weld a patch on or just leave it since "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" seems to be a good general rule. I suppose I'll put a magnet on it tomorrow...if it sticks, I'll fire up the welder...if not, I'll leave it as is 'til I can get a new pipe. 2 Quote When approaching a 4-way stop, the vehicle with the biggest tires has the right of way! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36637-redneck-engineering-saves-the-day-again/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 looks good to me Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36637-redneck-engineering-saves-the-day-again/#findComment-255598 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack mhe9 Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Besides the new pipe will just rub a hole in it any way. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36637-redneck-engineering-saves-the-day-again/#findComment-255599 Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyRebel Posted August 10, 2014 Author Share Posted August 10, 2014 ...good point. You just saved me an hour or more (depending upon how much more I tore up trying to "fix" it) Quote When approaching a 4-way stop, the vehicle with the biggest tires has the right of way! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36637-redneck-engineering-saves-the-day-again/#findComment-255602 Share on other sites More sharing options...
other dog Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 ...and no duct tape was involved in this fix-it project. But-"Besides the new pipe will just rub a hole in it any way." If you put a new pipe on it you could wrap some duct tape around it where it was rubbing. Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36637-redneck-engineering-saves-the-day-again/#findComment-255620 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatcity Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 I would put the bungee on the shop towels to protect it from the heat Quote Success is only a stones throw away.................................................................for a Palestinian Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36637-redneck-engineering-saves-the-day-again/#findComment-255621 Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyRebel Posted August 10, 2014 Author Share Posted August 10, 2014 The problem with duct tape on this particular "fix" is the nature of the tape itself. With little room to work, wrapping the tape neatly around the pipe would have presented a problem since the tape would be sticking to itself and everything else, thereby reducing it's effectiveness. On top of that, the pipe was leaking at the time and duct tape really doesn't stick too well to wet surfaces without extra care in it's application which just wasn't possible given the space constraints I was working with. Quote When approaching a 4-way stop, the vehicle with the biggest tires has the right of way! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36637-redneck-engineering-saves-the-day-again/#findComment-255622 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baxter Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Nice day saver. Do not kid yourself about it though, get a new pipe and wrap it well to prevent future troubles. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36637-redneck-engineering-saves-the-day-again/#findComment-255623 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 excellent,,,ive done stuff like that,,,to getem in,,,nowdays i just make a call,,,,and go on delay...lol.bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36637-redneck-engineering-saves-the-day-again/#findComment-255627 Share on other sites More sharing options...
220cummins Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 When you do replace it try to adjust the pipe itself for clearance or dent it in a little if that doesn't work. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36637-redneck-engineering-saves-the-day-again/#findComment-255650 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1958 F.W.D. Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 New pipe plus a length of radiator hose wrapped around it at the chafing point??? Quote TWO STROKES ARE FOR GARDEN TOOLS Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36637-redneck-engineering-saves-the-day-again/#findComment-255656 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickfarms Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 New pipe plus a length of radiator hose wrapped around it at the chafing point???My thought exactly Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36637-redneck-engineering-saves-the-day-again/#findComment-255658 Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 Red Green will be proud of you anyways. 1 Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36637-redneck-engineering-saves-the-day-again/#findComment-255677 Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyRebel Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share Posted August 11, 2014 Hell, gotta save up for a radiator anyway. Patched it with a little solder and a washer. I figure do it all at once and be done with it...hoses, radiator, etc. Quote When approaching a 4-way stop, the vehicle with the biggest tires has the right of way! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36637-redneck-engineering-saves-the-day-again/#findComment-255701 Share on other sites More sharing options...
james j neiweem Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 Stainless steel shim stock wrapped around pipes etc is an excellent rub protector. Stainless is very tough. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/36637-redneck-engineering-saves-the-day-again/#findComment-255710 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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