I have an aluminum 2 3/8" radiator in my civic that seems to have a pinhole leak, near the fins.

I spoke with a few of my mechanic friends and got some logical answers...and some that are just weird (one suggested pepper). One suggested I solder it since I know how to, but my soldering resume is for electrical wiring and circuit board component replacement, not brazing stuff with it. Another suggested JB weld.


The leak seems to be small, and only leaks when the car is running.

I'm kinda intrigued with the soldering idea, though.

If that is the best way, any suggestions on what kind of solder and flux I should use?

 

do not solder aluminum...

take a picture

 

TIG it if its on the tank

 

yeah is it on the tank near the fins or on a tube that the fins are on? its real hard if its on a tube or bar that the water runs thru itself, you need a tig that willgo pretty low and stable at low amperage other wise it just cust right thru it.

For what its worth, pepper does work dude

and by the way you screen name has always been the best!

 

I had a buddy put a screwdriver through his brand new aluminum radiator last year. He took it to our local welder and fixed it right up for like $20. It was a hole in the fins right smack in the middle.

 

or use egg whites

 

pulled the radiator but wasn't able to determine where the leak was.

looks like i'll just drop it off @ a shop and let the professionals do it.

thanks for all the help.

 

take it to someone that can tig it.

I had a pin hole on the vertical tube, I tig welded mine and still runs with out any issues.

Stefan

 

Take it to a radiator repair shop if you don't know what your doing. If it's just a pin hole, it shouldn't cost you more than $30 or so. There's usually plenty of rad repair shops around

 

Hi, I'm a "radiator technician" at a radiator shop here in new zealand..

For a full proof way to fix it, I cut section of the alloy tank out and blank the tube off at the header plate with weld, then weld the section back in and pressure test to 20psi. Works perfect.

As for "egg whites" or "stop leak" No, No no no no and no.

Do it right first time, take it to a proper radiator shop, Dont be the guy that backyard fixes it with bondo or whatever then wonders why his car is overheating

 

Bondo, haha, that is a new one on me.

 

Before I owned a tig welder I had the same problem with an all Al koyo radiator. I went down to my local welding shop & the guy hooked me up with some type of silver soilder that came with a flux for fixing thin Al. I fluxed the area, heated it with a propane torch & melted a little solider over the hole. Worked like a charm. I think the solider was made by esab, & cost about $20. I may be wrong it has been about 5 years. Just my 2 cents that may get someone else out of a jam.