fixing alloy rads?

[Paul V]

Can they be repaired? Mine has sprung a leak.

[JoolzB]

I'd phone RadTec and ask, they've always been happy to answer any questions I've had.

[350matt]

I'm trying to repair mine at the minute as well, the damn fan was mounted too close and has munched a small hole though one of the tubes...

What I've done and had success with in the past isn't pretty but does work ( hopefully for the 2nd time)

I opened up the tube a little with a small screwdriver and dried out the inside ( have to drain rad ) then using some JB weld ( a rather splendid epoxy resin variant) poke some of this inside the tube, coating all around the inside of the hole.
The using some hefty pliers crunch the tube flat around the hole to crimp it shut
Then use more glue to form a bead all around the effected area

It worked on my wedge hopefully it'll go again

Matt

[rev-erend]

Matt - you cannot be serious..

Just braise up the hole..

[shpub]

Yes but normally requires a new or partial core to be welded in place.
Had the 520's done a few years back when a suicidal rodent went through the rad at Goodwood...

[that daddy]

What was the name of that DIY ali weld stuff,techno weld or something,i new someone that had good success with the ear of an inlet manifold using said process,think you use a blow torch to melt the stuff

[350matt]

rev-erend said:

Matt - you cannot be serious..

Just braise up the hole..

Sadly Alan Its an ally rad which are tend to melt if you get a blow torch near them, being a bit thin an all , if it was a normal brass rad then I'd be there soldering it up.
I'll find out tonight if its all pressure tight

Matt

[Paul V]

shpub said:

Yes but normally requires a new or partial core to be welded in place.
Had the 520's done a few years back when a suicidal rodent went through the rad at Goodwood...

You don't have much luck at Goodwood do you, remember a few years back when I though I was going to die after a brief but very memorable moment when we left the track at quite high speed

[david beer]

My ally rads were not repairable when they sprang leaks. That reminds me, they still have the last one.

[350matt]

Well its got me to work OK ( 45 miles) I'll keep you posted if it lasts OK ( fingers crossed)

Matt

[Hedgehopper]

I had the same problem with my rad. The fibreglass fan 'trays' cut into one of the tubes of the rad. core. To prevent this happening again (I hope!) I sat the fibreglass trays on narrow plastic channels to spread the load on the face of the rad. The alternative would be to trim back the fibreglass edges so that when bolted in place they are clear of the face of the rad.