Hi all,

I've got a very slow coolant leak (about a few drops overnight) from an area near the bottom of my radiator. It looks like it's coming from a seam in the radiator near the fan shroud. I'll try to get a pic of it today.

I've done some research on this forum and on the web and it seems that it can be repaired with soldering. Does anyone have any suggestions or comments about repairing it? Can it be soldered in place without fluid or radiator removal?

Troy

 

It would be hard to solder, actually you would want to braise it not solder, without removal of the coolant. The water would work as a heatsink like it is supposed to and would not let the metal get up to temp. Drain the coolant into a clean container that you can reuse if you don't need to change it. If you can get to the area it could be done in the truck but would be easier to do outside.

Have you looked into getting a new rad. from a junk yard?

 

Thanks Brad - I can access the problem area from under the truck quite easily. You indicated that the coolant does not need to be removed because it acts like a heatsink and then you suggested draining it. I'm not sure what you mean now.

I haven't looked into getting a new radiator from a wrecking yard. I didn't know they had new ones. How could I tell if a used one from a wrecking yard is any good? The last thing I want is to replace another rad.

 

If that's the original rad in a 88 I would just buy a new one. I had a small hole on the rad on my 93 and I fixed it by brazing, and a few weeks later it sprung another leak. Fixed that and 3 months went by and it was leaking again.

And yes you do have to drain it before you can braze.

 

Look here for a new one, http://www.radiator.com/ Mine was $130 including a lifetime warranty and was at my door step in 2 days. I've bought 3 radiators from them (Toyota, Honda, BMW) and have had great service with each one.

 

eric-the-red - thanks for the suggestion. You live in PoCo I see. Did you buy an OEM rad or an aftermarket? Any place you would recommend in Vancouver or the valley for a good rad?

 

mt_goat - great to hear from you again. You've helped me out quite a lot! BTW, I fixed that sway bar bracket problem ( the punched out insert ). I wound up drilling out a larger hole near the target hole and fishing a bolt through. Prior attempts through other existing holes didn't work for me because of webbing inside the frame that caused bolts to get lodged.

I noticed that the website you posted sells to the US, but when I tried calling them from Canada, I couldn't put the call through. I'll try a local place first unless the cost + shipping (in Canadian dollars) from the US is significantly cheaper.

 

Good to hear you got through that mess, LOL. That will teach you, if it isn't broken, fix it until it is.

 

he..he... I just can't put down that darn wrench!!!