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Frustrating Radiator
Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 5:38 pm
by Deleted User
The radiator in my car keeps on splitting open just below the filler cap, on the top tank and therefor leaking when under pressure. I have repaired it 3 times useing Soft Solder, it but it keeps on splitting through the soft solder after about a week.
Could it be that I have the wrong pressure Filler Cap on the tank, so when the water heats up and it needs somewhere to escape to, the easiest way is through the side of the worn tank ????
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 5:58 pm
by J Top
What vehicle type? Hiluxs have a header tank failure fault which requires the tanks replaced.
J Top
Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 6:00 pm
by MissDrew
J Top wrote:What vehicle type? Hiluxs have a header tank failure fault which requires the tanks replaced.
J Top
Had mine for 9 years and never had a problem with it.
Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 7:34 pm
by RAY185
I think its a good sign that the brass tank is just not up to it anymore. Time for a new top tank.
Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 7:35 pm
by 360 scout
what soft solder are you using from memory there's 2 50/50 tin lead (plumbers solder) or 60/40 which is stronger.
I think I'm correct
Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 7:47 pm
by Deleted User
360 scout wrote:what soft solder are you using from memory there's 2 50/50 tin lead (plumbers solder) or 60/40 which is stronger.
I think I'm correct
Im sure its the 60/40 solder. Its my dads solder. He was a Plumber and said the 60/40 was stronger than 50/50 also.
The car is a Mitsabushi Ute. ( My work truck)
Anyone have any idea what a Top tank is worth ?
Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 8:11 pm
by -Scott-
It's probably a differential expansion issue, and solder is just not strong enough to handle the shear stress.
I reckon a new tank is in order.
Scott
Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 8:27 pm
by Ruffy
You should get a tank replaced and a clean for around 150 bucks if you pull it out yourself.
Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 8:54 am
by Deleted User
Thanks for the reply`s fella`s, I will go and see the radiator bloke today.
Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 8:56 am
by Deleted User
Well, I had it fixed yesterday. I took the radiator out of the car and took it into them. They removed and re-soldered the Filler Cap assembly. Cost -- $60-00 which included about 400ml or radiator fluid.
I was told that there seems to have been a lot of pressure build up in the radiator. They questioned weather the thermostat was working properly.
They said I might need to replace the thermostat.
I`ll see how it goes.
Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 8:10 am
by dumbdunce
Guts wrote:J Top wrote:What vehicle type? Hiluxs have a header tank failure fault which requires the tanks replaced.
J Top
Had mine for 9 years and never had a problem with it.
8 out of 9 years in the shed does not count
Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 8:30 am
by MissDrew
dumbdunce wrote:Guts wrote:J Top wrote:What vehicle type? Hiluxs have a header tank failure fault which requires the tanks replaced.
J Top
Had mine for 9 years and never had a problem with it.
8 out of 9 years in the shed does not count
2 of 9 years in the shed.
The hilux used to be my work truck and did approx 50,000ks a year.
Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 10:40 pm
by jcclures
If it was me, I would check the cylinder head, the pressure seems to be high if you keep splitting top tanks. Most good radiator people have a tester to test if the cylinder head is the cylinder head is leaking into the radiator. This test can find small leaks by testing for exhaust gases in the water, often long before other problems arise.
You could also test the thermostat by removing it and then bring it to the boil it on the stove, use a thermometer and watch when it opens. I think it should open around 84 degrees.
John