Pin hole leak in top rad metal elbow

[max71]

I had this radiator out three times. Twice with Steve S taking it to a local old time radiator shop we both felt good about. After the second time they repaired it the top elbow now has a pin hole leak.

Anyone know of a fix that doesn't include pulling the radiator? A friend tried to melt some lead onto it but it wouldn't stick.

[Steve Simmons]

JB Putty? Chris (gorms68) has a good radiator shop out his way you could also try, if it comes to that. I'll be taking a couple radiators out there myself soon.

[gorms68]

Yep, they do great work. Just keep in mind they are not cheap. All of their competitors have left now they are one of the few places around that still know how to build a radiator for almost anything.

[max71]

No budget for more rad shops mainly because the last one said my top and bottom caps weren't long for this world and getting think in places. I'd need to get those before I think of pulling it and having more work done.

Do you guys really think the puddy would work? The hole is on the top of the elbow which is the best place if it has to have a leak....

[tannyo]

I had pin hole leak in my radiator and Malcolm suggested this powder stuff from Pep Boys. Comes in a tube, cost about $3.00. You can see where it came out green, but the stuff that mixed with it became solid (I guess it reacts to the air) and it hasn't leaked. Malcolm says it doesn't harm the engine.

[max71]

Tannyo do you know the name of the product? That sounds great.

Pep Boys website is horrible. I found these two on O'Reilly.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... tor+sealer
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... tor+sealer

I think I tried the last one on a gas tank and it was worthless. It was the gas tank version.

[Steve Simmons]

If you want to go the sealer route, this is the old-school tried and tested product...

http://www.barsproducts.com/barsleaks_products.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I still recommend repair though, since it's so accessible.

[max71]

I don't want to put in a additive. Something directly on the outside on to pin hole is my budget favorite at the moment.

[Steve Simmons]

Piece of rubber and a hose clamp? I'm not entirely kidding.

[max71]

I did think about that.

[tannyo]

I don't want to put in a additive. Something directly on the outside on to pin hole is my budget favorite at the moment.

The stuff Malcolm put in was a powder additive and it is working. Malcolm said it won't hurt the engine which was most important to me.

[max71]

Do you recall the name? Or maybe Malcolm will chime in..

[Steve Simmons]

Whatever it was, it works the same way as Bar's Leak which I posted above. Radiator sealer all works the same way but comes in different forms. Even Bar's Leak comes in liquid and pellet forms, maybe more.

[max71]

Think I'll still look for topical solutions. I believe everyone but would rather avoid using an additive.

[Jimmy]

I'd guess that the soldering attempt failed because of not having cleaned the area, or wrong/no flux used.
Either way, Rescue Tape, hose clamps, zip ties, a sheet metal screw, epoxy, or a number of fixes should be able to squelch that pinhole for now.
Maybe slide the hose up far enough to cover the hole.
Or, if you're really lazy, just loosen the radiator cap.

[Robb]

I agree with all the options mentioned. I've had good luck with the various stop leak products without effecting other engine parts. Even newly recored radiators often have leaks because you're putting at least some of the old parts back on. That hole could be soldered, but remember that solder will only stick to clean metal with correct flux, and not to dirt, oxidation, grease etc. JB Weld will also work, but the area should also be clean for this and you might even run a small drill through the hole to make sure the JB Weld oozes into the hole making a key. I've found that JB Weld really sticks well to clean metal, though.

[max71]

My friend probably didn't clean it well enough. I'll do a good cleaning job and try some JB weld first and see what happens.

Thanks everyone.

[VWNate1]

What ever happened here ? .

Back in the day , Bar's Leaks was king , now that AlumaSeal stuff is tops ~ it's added to ALL new American made cars as a prophylactic measure .

it _cannot_ clog your radiator or heater like the older Bar's Et Al so often did .

Be aware , if you're running reddish , worn out coolant , _nothing_ will staunch the leak .