Soldering or Puddling Brass

Hi again:

Does anyone have any experience in soldering or flowing solder around two pieces and making it work?

I have an oil cooler which needs to have a small crack closed, but it is inaccessible to physical contact with soldering techniques. Can I "flow" solder and pool it around the joint, thus effectively sealing the crack.

Would anyone know of any flowable epoxy that would do the same trick? Thanks....Andras

Andras, are you sure that solder would stand up to the heat of an oil cooler? it seems like solder has a pretty low melting point. It does not seem to me that it would make a durable repair on an oil cooler. Solder is relatively weak.

I don't know if an epoxy would work either, but I'd think it had a better chance than solder.

Its not clear from your post exactly where the leak is, but it seems like the only real way to fix it is replacement, or maybe taking it out and having it TIG welded.

Jim:

Thanks for the thoughts. The location is on a Carrera oil cooler, where the vertical tubes join the "collector" at the bottom. On one of those tubes, it seems to have separated from the "collector", but it is difficult to get a TIG or even MIG welder down there, between the tubes.

On discussing this problrm with a couple guys in this region, the thought was to flow some high temperature-resistant epoxy between all the tubes, thus effectively damming (not damning) the entire area where the tubes join, and thus staunching the flow.

I agree with your thought of the solder; I guess I should have said liquid bronze or some such material with a higher melting point.

When I was at the Daytona 24 Hours, I saw the Corvette crew "repair" a transmission case using such a flowable epoxy; they even used a torch to cure it faster (epoxy cures faster with heat). It seemed to have worked, for the car went back out into the fray, and didn't retire.

Any thoughts anyone else?......Andras

Andras, I've soldered many things over the past 40 years, but I am no expert when it comes to radiators and coolers. To me, the really serious problem with what you suggest is getting the cracked area cleaned and fluxed. I suggest you take the cooler to a large, established radiator shop and talk to their oldest, most experienced technician. Those guys do some incredible soldering jobs I would never tackle, personally! If one of the 'old hands' says it is fixable, it probably is, but not by an amateur. No offense intended, but I know my limitations when it comes to soldering and welding! As far as solder vs epoxy goes, solder wins every time! The epoxy must have a filler material, whether it be glass, powdered iron or aluminum, Kevlar or carbon fiber, to adhere to and build up the 'composite' structure, if it is to have any strength. By itself, epoxy is nothing but strong paint!

------------------
Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Warren:

Thanks for the advice. On discussing this more and reading your posting, I agree that it is probably better to have it "soldered". I have no idea why I hadn't thought of a radiator shop, but that does seem logical, as Mr. Spock, (not Dr. Spock), has often said.

I will take it down to the "pros" and ask for their opinion on the best repair technique. Would like to salvage this "gift" for it came with all the correct fittings and the stone shield. Don't need the fan, since I never get stalled in traffic anyway ....Andras

Warren:

Thanks for the advice. On discussing this more and reading your posting, I agree that it is probably better to have it "soldered". I have no idea why I hadn't thought of a radiator shop, but that does seem logical, as Mr. Spock, (not Dr. Spock), has often said.

I will take it down to the "pros" and ask for their opinion on the best repair technique. Would like to salvage this "gift" for it came with all the correct fittings and the stone shield. Don't need the fan, since I never get stalled in traffic anyway ....Andras