Perforation to main radiator feed / outlet pipe

Hello all,

I have a small issue with my otherwise mint 1989 X1/9 Gran Finale.
A tiny perforation or stone chip hole has appeared on one of the steel pipes which feeds / lets out from the radiator. These run the length of the car and are partially embedded within the floorpan of the vehicle. Surely these pipes must corrode and yet swapping them out looks like a herculean task. The hole is not in such an awkward place that it couldn't have that section of pipe cut away and a rubber section inserted as a repair but i'm not certain this would hold under heat and pressure. Brazing a small plate fix may be a potential solution.
Does anyone have any experience of patching small leaks on these pipes.
Any help or advice would be very gratefully received.
Many thanks.
Stu

if you use heater/proper water hose I cant see why it wouldn't hold the pressure/heat
without seeing it, it is hard to say

Plan A is to drain the system down, drill the hole out to 5mm and insert a stub rivet with a dab of metal filler on the shoulder, let it harden and test the system for water tightness.
If this fails, then plan B will be to add a section of rad' hose and two VERY tight jubilee clips.

Thank you for your help Tom.

I've had this issue on a previous X1/9.
There was a small hole possibly caused by some debris off the road flying up and causing a nick in the pipe which was sufficient for it to start weeping.
It was fairly near to the radiator and in the end I decided to cut the pipe and take out the damaged area and replace with a short section of hose and secured properly with clips.
It worked fine for years.

There really shouldn't be any problem with you doing this repair providing you use the correct hose and it is in a suitable place to do this repair. After all there are hoses all round the cooling system!!


Replacing the pipes is major surgery and I would only consider it as a last resort....

Good luck

Andy