Bent radiator fins

TheCenturion · 27 Aug 2010 at 20:34

Hi guys, I've just noticed that a few fins on my radiator are bent. I only got the radiator today. Is the rad still usable and will this decrease performance? The black paint has also slightly come off on a couple of fins.

Jokester · 27 Aug 2010 at 20:35

The difference it'll make either way is tiny.

TheCenturion · 27 Aug 2010 at 20:37

okay thanks.

One of the fins looks like it's starting to peel off, should I do something about this?

JonJ678 · 27 Aug 2010 at 20:49

That's in far better condition than any of mine.

I worried about this to start with too, but its actually quite hard to break radiators. Dont force a long screw into it and you'll be fine.

Boozebeard · 27 Aug 2010 at 20:56

The radiator for my eco coolit had quite a lot of bent fins on one side but I couldn't be bothered going through the effort with sending it back and it doesn't seem like it's made much difference.

Squakingcow · 27 Aug 2010 at 21:48

You can bend them back fairly easily with a Phillips head screwdriver, certainly not worth sending the rad back for.

w3bbo · 27 Aug 2010 at 22:14

Won't make any measureable difference. as above they are easily bent back into place if the aesthetics bother you.

Essexraptor · 28 Aug 2010 at 02:22

The thin metal fins between the rad pipes are to increase cooling area.Being slightly bent at the one end, like yours,won't massively affect performance. They can be carefully bent back to shape if you wish just for appearances sake the same with the black paint peeling off. Touch up with a paint pot and everyone is none the wiser

setter · 28 Aug 2010 at 02:43

w3bbo said:
Won't make any measureable difference. as above they are easily bent back into place if the aesthetics bother you.

I noticed this at work a few weeks ago, the plumbers were fitting radiators that lay close to the floor, very flimsy fins on them. If they got bent, which happened very easily, he borrowed my paint scrapers an pulled the fins back into place, the metal felt very soft and pliable to me, then they covered them up with powdercoated casings.

Defunkt · 28 Aug 2010 at 07:55

You only just bought it and it's defective. Do you really need to ask if it's OK?
Return it. :\

cjgardens · 28 Aug 2010 at 11:26

get a small screw drivers and sort them out ot tweezers.

if you dont have a steady hand dont do it its not going to make a noticable differance

barrolde · 30 Aug 2010 at 12:24

This is only a aesthetics issue and will have no measurable effect on performance.