Radiator Woes

[1gear1brake]

Does anybody have experience of repairing holes in radiators?



The other night while riding home from work my bike was overheating quite badly and when I got home I noticed my right boot was very wet! On investigation, I discovered a small hole in the bottom of my right radiator. It seems that the plastic cowl arround the horn had been gently rubbing away at the bottom of the rad (for some years probably) and had finally got through. The hole is quite small but of course the area around it had also been rubbed and is going to be quite thin.

Is it repairable? Chemical metal or souldering have been suggested. I suppose any reapair would have to resist cracking due to heat expansion. So has anybody done a successful repair on a hole like this or do I start looking for a new rad?


Cheers
Dylan

[AIRWOLF]

I have made repairs with plastic metal type stuff (and added some radweld just in case).
I would use it to 'keep it running' and keep a watch for a good replacement.

[stageonesimmo]

Daft question time - the rads are aluminium right? If so then soldering/brazing is prolly out. If you know anyone who can weld ally its an easy enough repair to do. Plastic metal or any 2 part filler type stuff should bond quite well to that due to the ally's surface condition and porosity

[Recycler]

Rub a bar of soap on it, sets like concrete when it gets hot.
Will keep you on the road for a while.

[digitalcaptive]

There is a guy down the road from me who specialises in repairing radiators mainly large plant and agricultural Heather Radiators 01530 262494, I have taken a number of Landrover and car rads to him over the years and he's always done a sterling job and at reasonable prices .......he may be worth a call

[Mudwiz]

Bust 1 of mine on my first Ryedale, chemical metaled it c/o AA, then ran it for 18 months+, inc. further rallies. No worries!!
.

[1gear1brake]

Cheers for all the replies guys. I'll get some chemical metal and give that a try I think.

Dylan