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

*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

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?