A radiator is essential to your vehicles engine to keep it running cool. Hot coolant from your engine is directed through the radiator, which has passages surrounded by cooling fins that drop the temperature of the coolant before it is sent back through the engine. A leak in your radiator can compromise the entire cooling system, putting your engine at risk of major failure. However, before replacing an expensive radiator, consider repairing small leaks using soldering techniques.
Instructions
- 1
Open the hood. Mark the radiator where the leakage is located with a piece of chalk. Allow the engine to cool for several hours if it has been run to operating temperature recently. Place a drain pan under the radiator drain petcock. Open the petcock with a wrench and let the coolant flow into the drain pan. Close the petcock. Remove the drain pan from under the vehicle.
2Clean the radiator at the damaged area with a wire brush or sandpaper to the bare metal. Do not use power tools as the radiator is made from thin metal and could be damaged further. Clean the repair with water and mild soap. Rinse the area with clean water and allow it dry thoroughly.
3Plug in your soldering iron and allow it to warm up. Unwind about 6 inches of solder wire from a spool and hold it near the area to be repaired. Touch the iron to the solder until starts to melt and covers the repair area. Overlap the repair with solder at least inch to ensure that the leak will be completely covered and sealed. Use the iron to smooth out and push the solder into the repair area to ensure good adhesion.
4Let the repaired area cool thoroughly. Smooth out the soldered area with sandpaper. Paint the radiator (if desired) with a spray paint designed for radiators, as regular paint can clog the cooling fins and possibly cause your vehicle to overheat.
5Open the radiator cap and insert a funnel. Pour the coolant from the drain pan back into the radiator. Replace the cap and start the engine. Check for leaks around the repaired area. Close the hood.
