Cheap radiator repair can be a fast and easy fix when you get into radiator problems. And the more skilled you are to do it your self while on the road, the better.
Source: truckseats.net.au
The radiator is an essential part of the cooling system in your truck. It helps keep your engine and truck battery healthy. If you notice that there is even the smallest leak, you should make sure to fix it as soon as possible before the damage worsens.
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A lot of drivers who notice a slow radiator coolant leak just ignore it and add more fluid, hoping to take care of it at a later moment. Deciding to delay the radiator repair can turn into more damage, to the radiator and pistons, and eventually other parts. This will be costly for he trucker in two ways, money-wise and time-wise, since the bigger the damage the longer the truck will stay in the repair shop.
Truck radiator repair can be a tricky job, but the with right tips on how to solder a leak you can do it yourself, and you can do it pretty cheap. I will separate the tips for cheap radiator repair in 2 categories: locating the problem and repairing it.
I. Locate the radiator problem
First and foremost you need to locate the problem. Most common problems with radiators are leaks. Luckily, most of the time there is a cheap radiator repair you can do yourself. Other times, the damage is bigger and it’s something that has to be taken care of by a professional. No matter how big or small the problem is, driving with a radiator leak is dangerous.
1. Cool off the engine
If you suspect that your radiator has a problem, pull over to the first available stop, turn off the truck and let the engine cool off. Right after you turn off the truck is the moment when the radiator is the hottest. So instead of burning your hands and face, wait for a while so you can inspect the radiator closely without fear.
Source: truckradiators.com
2. Find the leak
Once you stopped, look for clues like drips and stains on the ground, steam, corrosion around the tubes, or fluids shooting out. Parts you should inspect include: radiator, hoses, clamps, thermostat gasket, water pump, heater hoses, by-pass hose, reservoir tank and radiator cap. But, beware, some radiator leaks, for example those on a Ford or Chevy truck may not show when the engine is cold and require great heat or pressure. If you can’t identify the leak when the system is cold, try using pressure. If that doesn’t work either, and you are confident the radiator is broken, consult with a certified mechanic.
Finding the exact place where the system is leaking can be tricky and difficult, especially if you have a small leak. The coolant can be sprayed from the fan or run down by each of the fins. Good news is there are few typical places to look for a leak which are prone to damage after the radiator has aged. One most common is along the solder seams, right between the core, or the radiator and the tank. Another places worth checking are stress joints. Both this areas are near the outlet and inlet tubes.
Source: www.popularmechanics.com
While on it, check other parts of the cooling system as well, for there might be problems in other places. Perhaps there a water pump leak, a thermostat gasket leak, or a leaky heater hose. Double check whether the radiator leak is the only problem you’re facing. Repairing only one leak will not do you much good if you do not check and fix the rest of the cooling system. You will be heading out for more trouble, and back to the repair shop.
- Cheap radiator repair
If you identified a coolant leak, than a cheap radiator repair might do the trick. Especially if it happens while on the road, there are certain tips and trick you need to know so you will be able to slow or stop the leakage, and drive till the closes repair shop.
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You can find the most basic items needed to fix this leak in almost all auto parts stores and will probably be included in the cooling system stop leak kit which you can assemble yourself. The common items included in this emergency kit include: truck radiator stop leak, duct tape, rubber cement, an epoxy like JB Weld, hose clamps, hose splice fittings and basic tools. But, remember one very important thing – any DIY radiator repair is only a temporary solution.
3. Dry, clean and prepare the area
If you managed to identify the place of the leak, before you proceed with any DYI cheap radiator repair, first you must completely dry the area. Next step is cleaning off any dirt, oil, grease, paint or debris and create a nice working surface. You can use detergent or degreaser to remove all. Last prep step is to roughen the surface with a file or coarse sandpaper in order to give best repair.
4. Choose cheap radiator repair solution
There are several ways you can temporary fix the leak, all easy and cheap radiator repair.
- Cold weld epoxy: You use a cold epoxy to apply it directly on the leak spot, and precisely according to instructions, after everything is cooled and cleaned. The trick to using this method is to suck the epoxy into the area through a vacuum hose. Move the overflow line to a vacuum port. Take off the distributor cap and try to turn the motor over a few times to create a suction that will pull the epoxy into the radiator. Most commonly used epoxy, that stopped may leaks is JB weld, and a lot of drivers keep a tube in their toolbox.
- Soldering the leak: If you have tools and know how to do it, you can solder the leaking portion of a copper and brass radiator. Soldering is not such easy fix, and required a lot of fluid, acid, solder, a pristine clean surface, and the right amount of heat, at the right time in the right spot. The process is simple though. Just heat up the old solder than scrape it away. Once the radiator seam is clean, then apply new solder to the spot. Beware not to use this cheap radiator repair solution on a corroded radiator since it may cause more trouble than good.
Source: rexradiator.com
