Suddenly my KOYO radiator has developed a hole in the backside large enough to spray coolant out of it. I'm not quite sure how this happened. I know I didn't drop anything in there, and with the FMIC and A/C in front of it, and the undertray underneath of it, I assumed it was fairly safe from damage. There's a bunch of bent fins around the hole, almost like something hit it, but I don't know how anything could have gotten in there..

However, is it possible to repair the hole? The hole is a little larger than a pen tip. Or is it not worth it? I already ordered a new one, but just curious if this one can be fixed as a 'spare' incase something happens again. Thanks.

Bryan

EDIT - Damn car is getting annoying! 2 weeks ago boost controller takes a crap, this week the radiator mysteriously gets a hole in it.. time to sell I think

 

they can braze it i think.

A local machine shop can weld aluminum (hard)

is it on an end tank?

 

Nope, the hole is in front of the driver side fan, almost like the fan pushed a rock or something into it.

 

I agree. Local rad shop maybe able to repair it.

 

Try industrial rad shop. We have one big one in Seattle. They do mostly industrial Rad or 'heat exchangers'

 

cant braze aluminum. . .

 

yeah i'm not a big welder but i do know aluminum sucks

 

You can solder aluminum. Special stuff, but local Snapon dealers carry it, and I've seen it in electronics parts suppliers and even in Sears. If you use it, be sure not to breath the fumes, and wash the tip you use well after you're done (the flux is basic, corrosive, and water soluble). I have it, have used it a lot, and it works well. It also solders stainless steel.

 

will it be able to wistand the 16lbs or whatever?

I wouldn't think it would be very strong being that it's a solder.

cool stuff though

 

How do you think they make aluminum radiators?? Controlled Atmosphere Brazing (CAB) is a non-corrosive flux brazing process and is the prefered process for manufacturing any aluminum heat exchanger (that includes automotive radiators). Vacuum brazing (non-flux based) is also another usable method.


There are basically three ways to repair aluminum radiators cores:
1) Soldering. Kind of difficult due to the way cores are constructed. But, a good radiator repair shop should be able to do this.
2) Epoxy. This is the method recommended by Ford.
3) Molten Plastic (hot melt). This method is recommended by GM. You can get a hot melt adhesive kit #1052536 from Harrison (GM's radiator division).

Welding can usually only be done on an end tank, which doesn't seem to be the case for you.

Hope that helps.
Rob

 

Any good welding shop should be able to repair the hole. I had ripped the nipple out of my motorcycle Rad and I had a shop weld it right back on so I'm sure you can find a shop to repair your Radiator..

 

so minor problems like those happen and you're thinking about selling it? come on, thats not the way to go, these things are the bumps in the relationship, it will be over soon..

 

Yeah, I wasn't going to reply to that. Just go to a rad shop and say fix please. Then have them pressure test the rad.

 

I've had it 4.5 years which is longer than probably 90% of the FD owners on this board. But that's another matter entirely..

 

people are starting to dislike rx7s now

 

i been taking welding classes and would offer to repair your radiator, but i am not good enough of a welder yet to do such

Like the other guys said, take it to a shop, or any good welder should be able to patch it up.

 

jeez guys. . . i would figure that a SHOP wouldnt be using something like that. . . unless they were a rather big named shop. all i know is that when i use a flame and a brass rod for brazing. . . it seems to not stick to aluminum. . . so, when the SHOP down the road starts getting into things like that. . . i guess ill pay attention.

paul