How to repair radiator hole - what kind of metal is it?

[grossgary]

B7100 has a small bubbling leak right where the top radiator inlet (for the hose) connects to the top metal tank. How nice of it to leak with easy access, when does that ever happen!? ! :thumbsup:

Appears metal. I have a welder but not sure what kind of metal I got here.

I could stuff it with JB Weld but for hard work applications like this I'm not a fan of JB weld (heat cycles, vibrations, etc). Though it is a really small hole so I guess it's not a big deal.

 

[Travelover]

It is probably brass. Clean the area and see if it is not gold colored. If so, definitely solder it, as opposed to JB Weld. Drain the fluid and don't over heat it, as you don't want to melt adjoining solder joints.

 

[ptwohig]

I have used that two part Epoxy, like quick steel to fix radiators in the oil feild. Works like a champ, lot easier than trying to solder.

 

[Soundguy]

clean with sand paper.. flux the bajeebers out of it and soft solder it.

just like sweating a pipe. blue plumbers torch is fine..

soundguy

 

[grossgary]

great, thanks guys.

good call, it is brass. i have no idea how to solder/flux, never done that before except electrical soldering.

i have a small propane torch, likely not hot enough. i have a oxygen/propane set up (instead of oxy-acetylene) but currently it won't stay lit (clogged tip?).

by solder - is that similar to soldering electrical parts? i'm guessing a soldering gun is not sufficient for brass.

 

[grsthegreat]

The radiator shops braze holes....least thats what they did on my old dodge truck.

You can get brazing rods at any welding shop, and they work just like soldering copper pipes. very easy to do.

 

[Soundguy]

i told you a 'blue' plumbers torch is fine.. just like sweat soldering a copper pipe.

practice on a piece of scrap metal witht he flux and solder.

yes.. very simialr to soldering electronics.

if you can solder on a circuit board.. you can sweat a pipe or patch a radiator.

I use pennies to patch radiator tanks ALL the time.

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

i myself prefer to soldr on rads as you need less heat then brazing.. and are less likely to unsolder any other parts like necks and inlets / outlets.. and tanks..

 

[grossgary]

oh okay - i wasn't familiar with what a "blue plumbers torch is". was hoping to make do with the propane or oxy/propane set up i have.

what "heat" device is used for soldering? soldering iron or torch?

no welding shops close to me but i'll find something. traveling next week, i'll try to find one i can sneak off too while i'm away for work.

 

[tommu56]

You don't need a welding shop a good hardware store get some flux and acid core solder and a bernzomatic propane torch.

clean all the paint off with a wire brush flux the spot apply some heat with the torch and let the solder flow in.

tom