Pin hole leak in radiator. Fernox F4 or replace radiator?

Belenus

22 year old standard pressurised wet CH system with new boiler installed 2 years ago.

Yesterday we noticed a tiny leak from the 22 years old kitchen radiator. It appears to be coming from the white bulbous part seen in one of the pictures but of course it could be coming from anywhere higher up.

It has leaked about an eggcup full overnight.

Is it worth trying Fernox F4 or a similar leak sealer or should we just have a new radiator fitted?

After 22 years is it likely that other pinhole leaks may appear.

Thanks

Nearlyold

If you're reasonably sure the leak is from the radiator in the mirror pic  I'd change it. It's a fairly easy DIY job. (Assuming you know how of course). A bottle of pour in Fernox leak sealer is £15. A new radiator around £40.

bjorn_toby_wilde

Unclip the decor panels and take a closer look to see if you can isolate the leak. It might just as easily be the seal around the bleed valve at the top, with water running down from there. If so, a 10p and 10 minute fix.

plumb1_2

Replace the radiator 

WIAWSNB

Belenus said:

22 year old standard pressurised wet CH system with new boiler installed 2 years ago.

Yesterday we noticed a tiny leak from the 22 years old kitchen radiator. It appears to be coming from the white bulbous part seen in one of the pictures but of course it could be coming from anywhere higher up.

It has leaked about an eggcup full overnight.

Is it worth trying Fernox F4 or a similar leak sealer or should we just have a new radiator fitted?

After 22 years is it likely that other pinhole leaks may appear.

Thanks

Hi Bel.
It depends on the cause.
If it's corrosion, then replace the rad - no question; there will be other areas ready to fail too.
But if it's a dodgy joint, then it should be fixable.
If it's a pinhole around a weld, for example, then Fernox should seal it and it should be sorted. If, more likely, it's simply from where the rad valve screws into the bulbous part, then better still - it just needs a slight tightening, or redoing with a smear of jointing compound at worst.
Your radiator appears to be in very good condition - there are no signs of bubbling paint or rust anywhere. My bet is therefore that it's in good order and entirely fixable, and you'd be daft to replace it without first confirming.
So, get a wad of paper towel and a torch. Press the towel tightly over the whole 'bulbous' area to remove every trace of drippage. Then lie yersel doon, shine the torch at the bulb, and wait for a drip to appear - you should spot it in the torch beam.
ID where - exactly - the drip is seeping from, and report back please.

Belenus

On Thursday I injected Fernox F4 via the filling loop.

Within 24 hours the radiator stopped leaking and it has been dry now for another 24 hours.

Hopefully that is it for a while although we will keep an eye and it and all the other now 22 years old radiators.

WIAWSNB

Good result.
But, you didn't investigate the source? 😕