x5 3.0D Leaking radiator

[psenior1]

Picked up our new X5 and love the car, had the front a rear bumpers painted, just got to get a couple of wheels refurbed and she'll be perfect well apart from the leaky radiator. Been loosing half a pint of coolant overy couple of hundred miles, had a look below everything else looks OK but the radiator is without doubt leaking. I could do without loosing the car to have it done at the moment, got a manic few weeks coming up - wondering if using some K-Seal to see us through will likely do any harm to other parts?? I've never used products ike this before as I've always thought they must clog the small waterways in the radiators, but if the radiator is goosed and will be replaced soon anyway...

[X5Sport]

Not a fan of these leak sealing systems, especially as you have multiple radiators to consider, not just the main engine cooler. You also have the climate contol rads which could be affected as well as possibly the galleries in the engine itself. IMHO it's not a good idea to gunk up the cooling system as you can, as you rightly suspect, cause unwanted collateral damage.

Did your X not come with some form of warranty, or was it a private purchase? If it came from a Dealer you could ask for a loaner whilst yours is being fixed.

[psenior1]

thanks, I'll just have to keep topping it up every few days for now. Car did come from a dealer but was a trade purchase effectively, though they have repainted the front and rear bumpers and sorted a couple of mechanical issues for me as part of the deal.

Going to ring around tomorrow for some quotes, I've heard good things about Chris Plummer in Aldershot and he's not far from me - anyone on here used him before? Are the the rads hard to fit on these, if I had the time I'd probably have a go myself.