Any radiator repair guys on here? My fan got loose and made a swipe at my radiator there are 5 tubes that have been damaged, this is a 6 month old radiator not some old rotten piece of junk so I would like to attempt to fix it without pinching off the tubes, they just got nicked enough to leak. What should I use to get the paint off? What should I use to clean the br***/copper before soldering? what solder should I use? What flux should I use? Is a propane torch hot enough or should I use Mapp gas? Any tips or tricks appreciated Thanks
I am not a radiator guy but I know a couple of the answers. You do not want too much heat. A propane torch can be too much heat - don't get it too hot. Soldering coppers were used in the past. Lacquer thinner can get the paint off. Acid core flux is often used but wash carefully after wards, and again, not too hot. Regular 60/40 solder will work. Spend time carefully getting the metal chemically clean where you will be soldering. This is the hardest part of the job for those of us not in the trade as the tubes are fragile and the fins even more fragile, plus the fins often obscure the work area. Take your time, once you start soldering you are kind of committed.
yea acid core on the copper tubes just like on copper pipes. plumbers solder, don't get the lead free ****.
My buddy has a rad shop, I never paid attention to what he used..but I do know you will have to clear the fins away to get solder on the whole tube. Chances are you will fill them with solder at the repair, so the coolant won't flow through. Almost the same as pinching them off. He has the rods to fit in the tube, so perhaps he prevents this. You would have to take off the top tank to access the tubes. Maybe best to pay $50-100 to have it repaired by a pro. Possibly if they are just nicked you wont have to clear fins..but get it as clean as possible. Inside and out. The coolant in the rad ****s with the solder. It has to be clean.
I used solder from local parts store specifically for radiator repair and a cheapo butane lighter like smokers use. I keep them in my toolbox for roadside repair in case it happens again. Pinching tubes if necessary is not a big deal to me.
Cut through the affected tubes close to the header plate, leave enough tube so that you can get hold of it with a pair of long nosed pliers, heat it genltly, just enough to melt the solder holding the tube and pull the stub out. This will leave you with a clean oval hole where tube was in the header plate and with a bit of practice you should be able to float some solder over it. I use " killed spirits " you should be able to buy a proprietry brand and 50/50 solder ie 50% lead and 50% tin. For heat I use a oxy acetelene panel torch with a fine tip. Larger butane type torches will get you into trouble. A few tubes less wont affect the cooling too much.
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