Radiator and Green crud

[Moose33]

would I be correct in assuming that this radiator is in need of removal, steam cleaning, and pressure testing? (it looks white in the photo, but it's actually light green crud)

I'm thinking it may have some issues because if the car idles for more than 5 minutes, the temp gauge hovers near the Hot side.

 

[Banjo]

Yup, I'd pressure test it first to see if it's worth steam cleaning. If the little fins are desintigrating then I'd either get it recored or get a new one.
If you're having temp problems then also flush the entire cooling system (what's inside the radiator is more important than a little crud on the outside) and make sure the thermostat and water pump are in good working order. sometimes somthing as simple as a loose fan belt that's not driving the water pump well is all that's wrong. Good luck Guv'na

 

[Moose33]

now, is the pressure testing something that (if I had the proper tools)I could do myself with it still bolted into place, or will it have to come out?

 

[Banjo]

It can be done in place.it's very simple. The tool you need looks like a short bycicle pump with a guage and a sealed radiator cap on the end of the hose. The one I have is made by Stant. The trick is making sure it has the right adapters to hook it up to your car. The adapter that comes on it is designed to fit most domestic cars, and I think the MG cap opening is too shallow for it to hook straight up. A shop that works on imports may have the right one.
A crude way to test without the tester it is by checking it whith the engine warmed up, It's under pressure at that time. Or right after it's shut down when fully warmed up, this is when temp and pressures are the highest (hot soak). but using the tester is better, because some times, when it's hot, a small leak will evaporate before you spot it

 

[Moose33]

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The tool you need looks like a short bycicle pump with a guage and a sealed radiator cap on the end of the hose.

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*nod* thank yoou