Is there anything I can do with a broken radiator? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

aricanderson · 06-02-2002, 07:55 PM

I just replaced my radiator and I was wondering if there is anything I can do with it?  The only thing that is wrong with it is that it has a small crack on the right top.  Is there any way that it can be used for anything or should I just throw it away.

thanks everybody

gh6o6 · 06-02-2002, 09:46 PM

welding is a beautiful thing......
ofcourse im not sure it can be welded

rotaryknight · 06-02-2002, 09:50 PM

Depends where the crack is.  If it is on the fins you are SOL...fins cannot be welded.  You can try some stop leak additives.  

If the crack in on the tanks you can try JB Weld.  That stuff is ghetto but works.

*Jeff240sx* · 06-02-2002, 11:22 PM

Welding on a aluminum (?) tank is kinda dumb.  Aluminum... as I would imagine it is, cuz it will dissipate heat better, is a thin, weak, low heat tolerance metal.  Therefore, welding isn't an option.  
And as for fixes, you can braze, which is a low heat copper welding, or soldering.  I would go with solder.  I have soldered 3 holes in a friend's Integra radiator.  And even if it is on the fins, so what?  What would stop solder from mending it?  Solder is not something to put moving parts together with... like don't solder the muffler to the piping, but on a low movement, low heat place, it works wonders.
Also.. how long is the crack causing the leak?  If it's too long, the structure of the radiator face you're soldering will move too much, and the solder won't work in that case...
-Jeff

precision · 06-03-2002, 06:04 AM

if its plastic epoxy it, if its brass solder it, if its the fins you can cut the fin and fold it a couple of times.

HippoSleek · 06-03-2002, 07:08 AM

You can get a top tank redone (don't know what they use and not brave enough to try to fix something that important on my own).

uiuc240 · 06-03-2002, 08:30 AM

Or you can pay for shipping and handling (I have to get a box) and you can have my radiator for free!  I just put a Koyo 2-row aluminum radiator in my 89 w/SR20DET...and now I have a perfectly good S13 KA radiator that I don't need.  It's not new or anything, but it doesn't leak, and it's never let me down.  Works good!  Let me know ([email protected]).

Eric

boosteds14 · 06-03-2002, 09:03 AM

put lots and lots of OATMEAL inthere . that should do the trick
<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>  j/k

geeaj · 06-03-2002, 12:55 PM

NADs.....it can seal anything..or remove hair..LOL..jk

aricanderson · 06-03-2002, 10:13 PM

thanks guys I'll try the oatmeal thing

06-02-2002, 09:50 PM	#3
rotaryknight Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 408 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Depends where the crack is.  If it is on the fins you are SOL...fins cannot be welded.  You can try some stop leak additives.   If the crack in on the tanks you can try JB Weld.  That stuff is ghetto but works. __________________ Daily Driver- 91 240 SX SE...S13 Blacktop HKS FMIC, EVC IV, W/G, Racing Suction, DP, Dual Drager, springs/pillow ball mounts Whiteline sway bars Tokico blues Koyo Radiator, Fluidyne fan J30 VLSD stock exterior. Fun Car- 94 FD3S (TO4S). The White HKS FD in FnF......may she rest in pieces.

06-02-2002, 11:22 PM	#4
Jeff240sx I hate you too... Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Tampa, FL Age: 42 Posts: 5,828 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Jeff240sx Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Welding on a aluminum (?) tank is kinda dumb.  Aluminum... as I would imagine it is, cuz it will dissipate heat better, is a thin, weak, low heat tolerance metal.  Therefore, welding isn't an option.   And as for fixes, you can braze, which is a low heat copper welding, or soldering.  I would go with solder.  I have soldered 3 holes in a friend's Integra radiator.  And even if it is on the fins, so what?  What would stop solder from mending it?  Solder is not something to put moving parts together with... like don't solder the muffler to the piping, but on a low movement, low heat place, it works wonders. Also.. how long is the crack causing the leak?  If it's too long, the structure of the radiator face you're soldering will move too much, and the solder won't work in that case... -Jeff __________________ Whatup?

06-03-2002, 08:30 AM	#7
uiuc240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Naperville, IL Age: 46 Posts: 2,093 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Or you can pay for shipping and handling (I have to get a box) and you can have my radiator for free!  I just put a Koyo 2-row aluminum radiator in my 89 w/SR20DET...and now I have a perfectly good S13 KA radiator that I don't need.  It's not new or anything, but it doesn't leak, and it's never let me down.  Works good!  Let me know ([email protected]). Eric __________________ 2002 Mazda Protege5 1989 S13 w/SR20DET (sold)

06-03-2002, 09:03 AM	#8
boosteds14 Zilvia.net Advertiser Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: CIPmotorsports Age: 43 Posts: 1,612 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	put lots and lots of OATMEAL inthere . that should do the trick <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>  j/k __________________ 240SXONE www.240SXMOTORING.com --- One Stop Shop for Your Nissan 240sx

06-03-2002, 12:55 PM	#9
geeaj Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 357 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	NADs.....it can seal anything..or remove hair..LOL..jk __________________ Beware the fury of a silent man, be more cautious of his silent farts....

06-02-2002, 07:55 PM	#1
aricanderson Zilvia Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, FL Age: 41 Posts: 169 Trader Rating: (-1) Feedback Score: -1 reviews	I just replaced my radiator and I was wondering if there is anything I can do with it?  The only thing that is wrong with it is that it has a small crack on the right top.  Is there any way that it can be used for anything or should I just throw it away. thanks everybody

06-02-2002, 09:46 PM	#2
gh6o6 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Dirty Jersey Posts: 550 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	welding is a beautiful thing...... ofcourse im not sure it can be welded

06-03-2002, 06:04 AM	#5
precision Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 10 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	if its plastic epoxy it, if its brass solder it, if its the fins you can cut the fin and fold it a couple of times.

06-03-2002, 07:08 AM	#6
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You can get a top tank redone (don't know what they use and not brave enough to try to fix something that important on my own).

06-03-2002, 10:13 PM	#10
aricanderson Zilvia Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, FL Age: 41 Posts: 169 Trader Rating: (-1) Feedback Score: -1 reviews	thanks guys I'll try the oatmeal thing