soldering a radiator

Nick167 · Jan 24, 2015

Is there anything special to it? I have a hole in the radiator on my Oliver 77 I got and was wondering if there is anything special to it

Robert in Md · Jan 24, 2015

The main thing to remember is get the area to be soldered clean, clean ,clean. and use plenty of flux.

CGID · Jan 24, 2015

...and make certain (don't ask me how I know) to use a small, localized flame or other heat source, otherwise you will unsolder the surrounding area.

GunnyIa · Jan 24, 2015

My first attempt at soldering a radiator was a complete bust. I used a propane torch, and burned up a hole the size of a basketball! Had to buy a new one. That was 50+ years ago.

Gunny, in Iowa

JD Seller · Jan 24, 2015

It has to be well cleaned like Robert posted. You also have to use the correct solder. The solder you use on copper pipe is not the right stuff. Most radiator solder is 20% tin and 80% lead. Plumbing solder is usually 50/50 mix. It is more brittle and will be more likely to crack. Also the higher lead content makes the melting point be lower so you do not have to have the radiator as hot to use it.

I also usually sue a liquid acid based flux when soldering radiators. I never have had much luck with acid core solder on anything.

rustred · Jan 24, 2015

all depends where the hole is. if you have no experience with soldering then a rad is not the thing to practice on. its an art of its own. a rad shop would be a better choice and times they will reject them cause of the material just being too rotten.

vscummins · Jan 24, 2015

I've done some good repairs with jb weld that have lasted a long time if you clean it good and don't use the fast set up kind

37chief · Jan 24, 2015

I have done a lot of repairs to radiators. Like someone said clean is your friend. I use acid flux. For the first time you may want to use JB weld. I have used it on radiator tubes that were too thin to solder, trying to save a very expensive radiator. It works good. Stan

Cas · Jan 25, 2015

I repair all my own radiators for the last 40 years. Always soldered them with ideas mentioned below.
About 15 years ago my skidsteer back door opened somehow when I was backing up. I somehow ripped open about then tubes. Had a rock picker on and wanted to get going. Mixed a batch of J-B Weld and packed it in. It was going to be a temporary patch. It is still not leaking today.
Since then I has used it quite a few times. If cleaned halfway good, it never will leak. Faster and a lot of times do not have to take radiator off. If I have the radiator, I solder them out of hasbit I guess.

mmidlam · Jan 25, 2015

clean, use pin point soldering tip not the general purpose tip, use tank with hose not the compact tank/tip assembly, acid flux, watch somebody solder a radiator first.

super99 · Jan 25, 2015

Just put some black pepper in it and run it for a while. JD 70 has had pepper in the radiator for over 6 years, if it does leak a little later on , add some more pepper. Chris

Ian Beale · Jan 25, 2015

Clean as possible.

Devcon (make sure it is high temperature) works on aluminium radiators like Kawasaki KLR's

And if you're soldering be aware that there can be electrolysis problems with solder and radiators.

Never found out how you avoided these - but if it is a pinhole then that is probably not the problem. On the other hand if a big part of a seam has started to leak - - .

armand tatro · Jan 25, 2015

Don't feel bad. First radiator I soldered I used a #1 A/O welding tip and it was waaaaaay tooooo biiiiiig!!!!!

Armand

Nick167 · Jan 25, 2015

Thanks everyone for all of the good tips I think I will try JB weld

MichiganMike · Jan 25, 2015

JB weld works great on brass tank radiators not on plastic tanks. expantion/contraction and plastic do not mix... mtp...

soldering a radiator

Nick167

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Robert in Md

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CGID

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GunnyIa

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JD Seller

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rustred

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vscummins

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37chief

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Cas

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mmidlam

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super99

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Ian Beale

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armand tatro

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Nick167

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MichiganMike

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