Poked a hole in my radiator....

Push370zzz · 06-10-2015, 08:44 PM

Was installing the stillen oil cooler. Long story short, my drill slipped and hit the radiator. Is there anything I can do short or replacing the thing? Can I drive it to a shop even?

maizenblue · 06-10-2015, 10:40 PM

So I assume you hit the radiator good enough to create a leak otherwise no reason to create a thread, correct? In this case if the hole is small I would attempt to cover the hole with a high temp rtv and wait a day for it to cure, and then start the car and see if it leaks. If not then drive it to a shop and replace the radiator. If it does leak immediately, tow it

Push370zzz · 06-10-2015, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maizenblue

So I assume you hit the radiator good enough to create a leak otherwise no reason to create a thread, correct? In this case if the hole is small I would attempt to cover the hole with a high temp rtv and wait a day for it to cure, and then start the car and see if it leaks. If not then drive it to a shop and replace the radiator. If it does leak immediately, tow it

Yeah right when I hit it there was a ton of gas? that escaped for about 5 minutes. I'm now thinking I just hit the AC condenser and not the radiator. There was a small amount of green liquid that came out and a TON of gas from a the hissing line...

Is there any reason I can't drive it? Seems like I just would be without AC until I fix the condenser.

maizenblue · 06-10-2015, 10:47 PM

Yeah that sounds like refrigerant. Not so good to breath in. So you hit the condensor not the radiator?

Push370zzz · 06-10-2015, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maizenblue

Yeah that sounds like refrigerant. Not so good to breath in. So you hit the condensor not the radiator?

I think so...I'm a bit relieved thought I would be out of my upcoming track day but I think I'll be fine just no A/C right? Any reason not to drive it?

maizenblue · 06-10-2015, 10:52 PM

Cover all your bases. idle the car and make sure you're absolutely certain that nothing else is leaking except refrigerant. Cars roll around all the time with leaking ac.

Push370zzz · 06-10-2015, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maizenblue

Cover all your bases. idle the car and make sure you're absolutely certain that nothing else is leaking except refrigerant. Cars roll around all the time with leaking ac.

Yeah planning on it. Do you happen to know if I can remove the condenser without removing the radiator?

maizenblue · 06-10-2015, 11:03 PM

I don't know how exactly it's set up on the Z. But usually the condensor is bolted or has some kind of slide mount to the radiator. So, provided there's enough space to work with and assuming the Z Doesn't do anything stupid, yes the condensor will come off without removing the radiator

1LIFE · 06-10-2015, 11:24 PM

Radiator and condensor if you end up needing both
OEM Radiator used 10k miles

Elmo370z · 06-11-2015, 01:15 AM

If its your radiator and you just need to get to a shop crack an egg down tour radiator cap. The yolk will temporarily seal the hole. Seen it done on myth busters for you all who think I'm crazy.

DEpointfive0 · 06-11-2015, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elmo370z

If its your radiator and you just need to get to a shop crack an egg down tour radiator cap. The yolk will temporarily seal the hole. Seen it done on myth busters for you all who think I'm crazy.

It's the white

Also, OP, you hit the condenser, not the radiator

Elmo370z · 06-11-2015, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

It's the white

Also, OP, you hit the condenser, not the radiator

Yeah same thing

DR_ · 06-11-2015, 09:58 AM

If you are tracking much you will be looking to upgrade the radiator anyway.

CSF Inc. · 06-16-2015, 12:51 AM

I don't know if they've changed the design recently, but the 370Z/G37 has an interesting design where the radiator and condenser is a 1 piece module. The front row is for AC, and the back row is the radiator... If the design is the same, it doesn't matter which one you hit.. the whole unit would have to be replaced.

need4speed255 · 06-16-2015, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elmo370z

If its your radiator and you just need to get to a shop crack an egg down tour radiator cap. The yolk will temporarily seal the hole. Seen it done on myth busters for you all who think I'm crazy.

Yes, you are crazy. It will also plug up everything else in the coolant system. No one should do this unless stranded and it's a life or death situation.

06-10-2015, 08:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
Push370zzz Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NE Age: 39 Posts: 649 Drives: cars Rep Power: 17	Poked a hole in my radiator.... Was installing the stillen oil cooler. Long story short, my drill slipped and hit the radiator. Is there anything I can do short or replacing the thing? Can I drive it to a shop even? __________________ Range Rover Sport Supercharged Nissan 370z Touring + Sport

06-10-2015, 11:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
1LIFE Track Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 513 Drives: Fast Lane Rep Power: 61	Radiator and condensor if you end up needing both OEM Radiator used 10k miles __________________ Built GReddy TT "I downshift next to Prius so the driver hears me hurting the environment"

06-11-2015, 01:15 AM	#10 (permalink)
Elmo370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: st. petersburg Posts: 5,709 Drives: 09 nissan 370z Sp M6 Rep Power: 295378	If its your radiator and you just need to get to a shop crack an egg down tour radiator cap. The yolk will temporarily seal the hole. Seen it done on myth busters for you all who think I'm crazy. JARblue likes this.

06-16-2015, 12:51 AM	#14 (permalink)
CSF Inc. Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Newport Beach Posts: 50 Drives: 02 MB S500 Rep Power: 15	I don't know if they've changed the design recently, but the 370Z/G37 has an interesting design where the radiator and condenser is a 1 piece module. The front row is for AC, and the back row is the radiator... If the design is the same, it doesn't matter which one you hit.. the whole unit would have to be replaced. __________________ Ravi Dolwani CSF Racing & High Performance - Manager

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06-10-2015, 10:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
maizenblue Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Denver Posts: 288 Drives: 2010 370Z Rep Power: 12	So I assume you hit the radiator good enough to create a leak otherwise no reason to create a thread, correct? In this case if the hole is small I would attempt to cover the hole with a high temp rtv and wait a day for it to cure, and then start the car and see if it leaks. If not then drive it to a shop and replace the radiator. If it does leak immediately, tow it

06-10-2015, 10:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
maizenblue Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Denver Posts: 288 Drives: 2010 370Z Rep Power: 12	Yeah that sounds like refrigerant. Not so good to breath in. So you hit the condensor not the radiator?

06-10-2015, 10:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
maizenblue Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Denver Posts: 288 Drives: 2010 370Z Rep Power: 12	Cover all your bases. idle the car and make sure you're absolutely certain that nothing else is leaking except refrigerant. Cars roll around all the time with leaking ac.

06-10-2015, 11:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
maizenblue Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Denver Posts: 288 Drives: 2010 370Z Rep Power: 12	I don't know how exactly it's set up on the Z. But usually the condensor is bolted or has some kind of slide mount to the radiator. So, provided there's enough space to work with and assuming the Z Doesn't do anything stupid, yes the condensor will come off without removing the radiator

06-11-2015, 09:58 AM	#13 (permalink)
DR_ Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dallas Posts: 981 Drives: Touring/Sport M6 PG Rep Power: 17	If you are tracking much you will be looking to upgrade the radiator anyway.