Radiator Repair - Worthwhile?

[BU5H P1G]

Hi All,

When draining my radiator for a service last night, i tore out the bottom drain whilst only putting the slightest pressure on the drain bolt. I think the connection may have been passing for a little while.

Is this a worthwhile repair? Should i attempt myself and braze or get a pro?

Note the condition.

 

[Ambrew]

Judging by what's inside, I would bring it to a rad shop and have them flush/repair it. Unless you are confident with your brazing skills.

 

[brian]

id take it to a shop. they will pressure test it. there are probably other small weeps on it.

 

[vtgbeemer]

id take it to a shop. they will pressure test it. there are probably other small weeps on it.

I took mine to an old established radiator shop and for about $100 they made it like new.

 

[brian]

I took mine to an old established radiator shop and for about $100 they made it like new.

as did i, for about the same money even.
it's a dying trade. i don't think any new vehicles come new with solid brass rads anymore.

 

[BU5H P1G]

Thank you guys. I live in a very remote part of Aus so radiator repairs are a send away (pay an arm or leg for postage) and wait 4 weeks ordeal.
This may however be the best way forward, however:
Any ideas (or good existing threads?) on the best way to braze/weld/solder/plug and/or tap???

 

[sggoat]

as did i, for about the same money even.
it's a dying trade. i don't think any new vehicles come new with solid brass rads anymore.

I don't think they do either--can't fix 'em - just replace--(plastic,cheap junk) If you can find a good rad shop-definitely do that--My local one charged me $80 to clean and rod it out--you can't be that with a stick--BTW--I gave them $100, just because they did a good job)

 

[buffalo40]

Same thing happened to me recently. Very easy fix. See my thread https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/br...ggestions-see-pics.826696/page-2#post-9494524

 

[BU5H P1G]

Good Man Buffalo40 - i felt your pain whilst reading that thread as we both made the same mistake

Thanks again!

 

[shawnfj40]

If it were me I would just solder it back together. In your case if you have to deal with shipping no matter what approach that you take, I would ust order a new one. That's ust if your solder doesn't hold up.

 

[landcruiserrich]

Thats a pretty easy repair by the looks of it. I would braze it back together and call it good. If its not leaking from anywhere else and you haven't had overheating issues then theres no point getting it refurbished , especially if you have to ship it somewhere.

 

[winnie]

nothing to lose (but time) by trying to braze it yourself ... I say go for it ...

 

[BU5H P1G]

yep i'll give it a red hot crack. (haha - get it!)

The rad isnt leaking elsewhere and holds pressure so i'll see how i go. The problem is where we live there isn't another town for 600km and any direction, so i like to have peace of mind with my repairs.

Wish me luck and Merry Christmas

 

[brian]

yep i'll give it a red hot crack. (haha - get it!)

make it red hot, and you will be very disappointed with the results.

 

[cuencanolenny]

Presumably you will make sure the drain is free and working smoothly before brazing the fitting back into place. Curiously I had my radiator recored a few months ago and when I removed it I noticed it didn't have a drain, never did. There is a hole in the surround that would have allowed access, but there had never been anything in the radiator. So I suppose another option for you would be to just braze a patch over the hole.

 

[BU5H P1G]

Thanks again guys
Grabbed some solder and flux the other day, as well as a welding tip for my oxy/acet so will clean and try tonight (weather dependant)

I have freed the smaller drain bolt that extends into the plug extension. Have a healthy dose of hydrophobic anti-seize ready to go on prior to reinstall

 

[lcwizard]

Rock Auto has a Spectre ( made in Canada ) for around 250.00 or a Proline ( probably Mexico ) for about 20 less. If repairs go over that
you might consider new. Shipping to AZ was 9.60

 

[BU5H P1G]

Update on the repair - well I think i was successfull. Have to pressure test the rad tonight however it's holding water at present.

When i pulled out the plug originally, i must have kinked the copper a little. The solder was running down onto the cores!!!

Second attempt and a little less heat seems to have done the trick. Anyone know of an easy way to pressure test a radiator?

 

[brian]

close the ports and get a garden hose clamped to it.
figure out what you domestic water pressure is.
take the rad to 20psi.

 

[BU5H P1G]

Thanks brian

I was going to find something cylindrical, insert into the open rad hose and clamp the rad hoses onto that. This should block the inlet/outlet ends enough to hold pressure. Then i'll install the cap and clamp an air line into the overflow hose. I was going to fill (prob only 4/5ths) the tank with water and apply air pressure through the over-flow. Just need to find something to block the hoses...