Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Mulfab radiator? (4/4 focus zetec)

Rubber or silicon hoses?
There's more give in rubber...

Just a stab in the dark on the expansion bit, but the hose connection will expand and contract...

I have a problem on the 90's fuel filler, that weeps since the whole vehicle rebuild. The rubber pipe has now been renewed and the weep is worse Not temperature related of course.

Are rubber hoses more compliant? I'm not so sure after fitting silicone hoses to replace rubber.The metal will expand when heated and contract when very cold, it will depend somewhat on the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion of the metal and the silicone or rubber although the hose clip should deform the silicone/rubber enough to take out any differences in the CoTE to prevent any weeping.

I don't think the silicone hoses have quite as much stretch...
Based on others' comments mind - I haven't fitted a set to anything, just the odd one here and there...

I fitted a custom made set to my 4/4 a couple of years ago. My first thought was to use Samco ( not least because the factory is quite near me) but Paul, one of their development engineers made the point that they didn't do a bespoke kit for my car and I wasn't keen on too many joins. I also tried Viper Performance but found them bit pricey. I eventually went to Paul Roose ( I think JtL has a set of his) and they've been excellent.

I have had no trouble at all with leaks but I did take one piece of advice ( from the guys at Samco in fact) which was to use the very best jubilee clips I could and don't re-use any that had been on there before After a fair bit of research, I went for JCS Hi-Torque stainless. In the past, I've also used Mikalor and found them OK
HTH
G

Had problems with Mulfab. Bought new Mulfab ali rad through Richard Thorne, failed within two years due to faulty welds, sent back, replacement / repair leaked after use within 100 miles. Mulfab said we needed to take the car to them. Drove up ( 300 mile round trip ) Guess what 18 months later leaks from welds, Ali too thin at weld.Have to say original with car no problems for 9 years and 24,000 miles.Model is Plus four, 2l Rover year 2000.To say the least no very impressed with Mulfab. Will try to go elsewhere to solve this long term problem.

Speak to Williams, I understand they are now doing an ali rad - but don't know if they have one for Rover +4.

There have been some issues on the MG forum about this very same thing - persistant leaks with alloy rads, which can't be easily repaired.
QUOTE
I was wondering whether anyone can answer this question although it is not applicable to my MGRV8.
I also own a Rover 75 year 2000 which we use in the winter becasue of its superb traction in the snow.
Anyway we discovered a water leak coming from its Radiator. Bosch tell me that modern alu. radiators cannot be readily repaired at reasonable cost and that a new one is the sensible answer.

Don't mention aluminium radiators to me - my blood pressure will go through the roof! I bought a very expensive aluminium radiator for my MGB V8. From the very beginning it leaked, just a little bit, where the vertical tubes enter the bottom tank. The supplier took it back for repair and sent it back. It still leaked.
The supplier took it back and re-cored it. It still leaked. As it was now three years since I bought the thing, they agreed as a final offer to make me a brand new one. It leaked just the same as the original one did.
I took it to a reputable radiator shop in Glasgow and he was very rude about aluminium radiators. He said they are no more efficient than a copper and brass one, and they are almost impossible to repair. He sealed around the tubes with an epoxy resin but he said it was unlikely to last and he was right. Three months later the leak was back just as before. So I suspect you have been told the truth.

Hmmm, perhaps I won't look into a Mulfab rad after all...

That's strange, this is the first negative report I've ever heard about one of Peter's radiators - or indeed of any of his products. I've had one of his alloy radiators in my car for 6 years / 30,000 miles with no problems whatsoever

It does make you wonder if a bespoke standard radiator from Serks would be a better option. Having said that, my Gilbern radiator (all brass or whatever) leaked at the top tank joint. I had it repaired by a specialist and within weeks it was leaking again. So not a great experience either.