The upper flange which connects the upper hose to the radiator is leaking. I removed the 2 screws holding the flange to the radiator and found a rubber gasket that seals the flange onto the radiator itself. I suspect this gasket is worn out causing leak under pressure. I am unable to find this gasket - have tried several online sites but it does not look like it is available as a replacement part. anybody knows where I can purchase this gasket? thx

 

Please describe the process by which you came to the conclusion that the 'upper flange' is the source of your leak.

 

using a mirror I could see where the leak is coming from. I removed the flange. it is secured with 2 10mm bolts. inside the flange is a rubber gasket and that is the only component that seals the flange with the radiator neck. I see no cracks so the most probable cause would be the rubber gasket.

do you have any suggestions?

 

You might try you local NON-BIGBOX hardware store....
Many true-value stores have racks of bolts...and a shelf with o-rings....find one that fits...(if it is a simple flat gasket...then you can cut one from a sheet of gasket material).......
If all else fails...just get a new rad....about $100 on rockauto.

 

found out from dealer that the gasket is not a replaceable part, and no online store carries it, so will be replacing the radiator. Ordered Vista rad from rackauto and foam pieces, hardware kit and coolant from esc tuning.

Thank you for the responses.

 

Many of the radiator leaks I've seen were from the upper passenger corner of the radiator, which could have made it look like the coolant elbow was leaking.

The o-ring could have been fixed with cleaning up the areas and applying a bead of RTV to the seal and reassembling the elbow to the radiator, but we have had numerous leaks from the upper corner of the radiator that were fixable by our local radiator shop.

Some of the cheaper radiators out there will give you the same results as what you paid for them, so keep in mind, cheap usually nets cheap.

 

One tip....
Just cause the gasket is not sold separately with a oem part number does not mean it is not a stock part..remember..manufactures assemble units from commodity parts......many items are sold as semi genaric parts--like o-rings.....usually you need to physically compare the old with the new...and find the right one...
Many folks seem to believe if a part is not sold separately it does not exists..... But they do...just makes it harder to find it...fastners , o-rings, bolts, etc are often sold as universal parts...

 

"hardware kit and coolant from esc tuning"


Thanks for the mention and order. The seal is not a separate ( for MINI ) by that upper or lower neck ( by those two screws) or the short neck for that matter, as seen in the pics. Other option is the mishimoto version.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...re-on-r53.html




Thanks

 

interesting points nkfry. I am actually looking for something that I can bite into. something that would help me. your insights may be possible but can you be more specific if you have seen this work before? Any pics or DIY would help. or if you can point me to the right place where I can progress, that would be great as well.

 

Thank you fro the feedback. I have done my homework. Do you have any suggestion where I might be able to find one?

 

are you suggesting that the rubber gasket for the upper and lower neck flanges is a replaceable part in the case of mishimoto?

 

Nope , mishimoto is the other option as a full replacement , its a full wielded on neck. No separation. It's the all body aluminum rad that states there name on the cooling fin.

Thanks