Map bronze solder a car radiator?

[dragoneggs]

I say try to fix it first... sand it down locally and get it clean. If brass you will know by the color. Can't hurt to try typical plumber or general metal acid core solder. Cheap fix to try on your own. If it doesn't work you can take a gamble on a radiator at a junk yard but you learned along the way.

 

[dfkrug]

I thought Toyota trucks already went to aluminum/plastic radiators by the mid-80s. Maybe that is just in the US. New replacements are under $100.

I love the older brass radiators since they are easy to fix. My '80 Toyota PU had a brass radiator. I have re-soldered the top tank and hose connections on several rads. If one part gets a leak, it is easy enough to re-solder the whole periphery of the tank. I always used lead/tin plumber's solder and Kester paste flux with propane torch.

The aluminum rad cores can be repaired, but it is not nearly as easy. The plastic tanks, fugeddaboutit.

 

[Sebculb]

Thanks ultrarunner and JD 855, that was the information I was looking for, that brazing isn't the right thing. I'll get some plumbers solder and start experimenting tomorrow. Hopefully won't screw anything up worse, but the truth is it can't get much worse than it is.

So bronze Rod's the wrong stuff, does anyone know if a map torch would be too hot also? Is propane or butane better? Was reading elsewhere that more heat is good to a point because it heats up the area of interest fast before nearby joints get affected.

 

[Sebculb]

Thanks Dragon eggs and Dfkrug! I will try to fix it tomorrow good to know the propane works, would a mapp torch work better by any chance? Cuz my buddy's​ is at work right now, and​ I'd have to buy the propane torch. Should probably have one anyway, but I dunno if tomorrow's​the day

 

[dfkrug]

I will try to fix it tomorrow good to know the propane works, would a mapp torch work better by any chance? Cuz my buddy's​ is at work right now, and​ I'd have to buy the propane torch.

MAPP is fine, if you have a brass rad. Be sure the top is not plastic.

 

[dragoneggs]

MAPP is fine, if you have a brass rad. Be sure the top is not plastic.

I'm no expert but MAPP or propane is fine. It's about the amount of heat you apply. That is in your control. Watch a couple youtube vids on 'soldering a radiator'. There are lots of them.

 

[Sebculb]

Thanks! I'll see if I get to it today and post up how it works

 

[Sebculb]

Sooo, my wife and my dad heard I was going to start experimenting on the car with a blowtorch and got a lot more proactive about​ dropping me off at work and taking it to the radiator shop. So I guess some good came out of my asking questions cuz the things fixed now, for better or worse.

So I guess I'm sticking to burning the 6013 for now, all day every day. Thanks again for all the advice! I'm sure I'll apply it sometime.

 

[Jeepnford]

A friend of mine has been fixing radiators for years. He always uses silver bearing solder. I have seen it at some of the box stores near the welding wire/rods.

 

[fried1765]

Thanks Dragon eggs and Dfkrug! I will try to fix it tomorrow good to know the propane works, would a mapp torch work better by any chance? Cuz my buddy's​ is at work right now, and​ I'd have to buy the propane torch. Should probably have one anyway, but I dunno if tomorrow's​the day

MAPP will certainly work, but you need to be very careful with the amount of heat you apply, or you will melt a spot on your radiator.
Propane (blue tank) really is the best option, with 50/50 solder. Be sure to clean the area thoroughly, and use soldering paste.