Radiator Leaking
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 162
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From: sisters or.
Radiator Leaking
Hi, my 26 yr old radiator started leaking at the top seam. The guys at the radiator shop said they couldn't rod it out unless it had the straight thru cores instead of the bumpy original ones. To take it apart and re build. Seems like I remember the bumpy tubes were to slow the coolant for better cooling.
Any recommendations on Trying to get the old one fixed or Which new one to get?
Sounds like the new aluminum radiators are junk out of the box.Has anyone had any luck with a new brass & copper one.Any brands better than another?
Thanks-----Norm
Any recommendations on Trying to get the old one fixed or Which new one to get?
Sounds like the new aluminum radiators are junk out of the box.Has anyone had any luck with a new brass & copper one.Any brands better than another?
Thanks-----Norm
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 7
You might have luck fixing it yourself.
Clean the area up with sandpaper all along the failed area.
Then you can get a propane torch and some solder and solder it up. It may not be perfect, but the pressure is pretty low; if you can get some solder across the affected area it might just work, and save you some money.
You could also try or try using some JB Weld. Chances are, it'll work if you have a nice clean area and give it a full 24 hours to set up.
I actually did the JB weld trick when I poked a hole in one of the cores removing it from the truck. Pinched it off, cleaned it, and used some cheap Harbor Freight epoxy.
Hasn't leaked at all in the last year.
If you have the time, though, use proper JB weld for a stronger weld.
Clean the area up with sandpaper all along the failed area.
Then you can get a propane torch and some solder and solder it up. It may not be perfect, but the pressure is pretty low; if you can get some solder across the affected area it might just work, and save you some money.
You could also try or try using some JB Weld. Chances are, it'll work if you have a nice clean area and give it a full 24 hours to set up.
I actually did the JB weld trick when I poked a hole in one of the cores removing it from the truck. Pinched it off, cleaned it, and used some cheap Harbor Freight epoxy.
Hasn't leaked at all in the last year.
If you have the time, though, use proper JB weld for a stronger weld.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,450
Likes: 5,520
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
the top tank on the radiator in my 88 leaked at the seam for 300,000 miles.
it would hold 3 inches down, so that is where i left it. i only replaced the radiator around 10 years ago because i caught road debris ( a steel rod) through the A/C condenser and radiator and it was not worth repairing. i got a new ford rad for $250.
knowing what i know now, i should have bought all the radiators they had seeing as they are now N.L.A.
it would hold 3 inches down, so that is where i left it. i only replaced the radiator around 10 years ago because i caught road debris ( a steel rod) through the A/C condenser and radiator and it was not worth repairing. i got a new ford rad for $250.
knowing what i know now, i should have bought all the radiators they had seeing as they are now N.L.A.
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