01-24-2022, 11:34 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
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Senior Member
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Anyone ever weld an aluminum radiator to fix a leak?
Hey fellas,
This is not related to my 4runner but I thought this would be a good place to ask.
My 2011 highlander had the alternator go out on it last week. Unfortunately it's a small nightmare to remove it on the 3.5 V6 and somehow I managed to put a couple small holes in the radiator when I was working on it.
I've seen some videos where guys used those aluminum brazing rods to patch the holes in a radiator. My holes a very small so I'm wondering if this is a viable way to fix it.
Literally every parts store in town and the usual online sources either doesn't have the radiator or it will be a week plus to get a new one. The dealership wants $426 and over a week wait for a new one.
Does anyone have any experience with using those brazing rods to fix small holes in a radiator? Does it work and if it does, is it a permanent fix or should only be considered temporary?
Thanks for any insight you may have.
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1997 SR5 4x4 Auto, 99' tall coils up front, OME 906's, Truetrac LSD, Airaid MIT
1999 SR5 4x4 Auto for parts
2011 Camry SE V6
2011 Highlander Limited
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01-24-2022, 12:36 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thegipper
Hey fellas,
This is not related to my 4runner but I thought this would be a good place to ask.
My 2011 highlander had the alternator go out on it last week. Unfortunately it's a small nightmare to remove it on the 3.5 V6 and somehow I managed to put a couple small holes in the radiator when I was working on it.
I've seen some videos where guys used those aluminum brazing rods to patch the holes in a radiator. My holes a very small so I'm wondering if this is a viable way to fix it.
Literally every parts store in town and the usual online sources either doesn't have the radiator or it will be a week plus to get a new one. The dealership wants $426 and over a week wait for a new one.
Does anyone have any experience with using those brazing rods to fix small holes in a radiator? Does it work and if it does, is it a permanent fix or should only be considered temporary?
Thanks for any insight you may have.
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I vé never done it but boat shops fill holes on aluminium hull pontoon boats with those rods. If there is a marina or boat storage where they have a shop, they should be able to fix those holes for not too much.
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01-24-2022, 12:53 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2016
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I have the rods already and have watched a few videos of people doing it. It seems pretty straight forward so if I do it, I'll probably attempt it myself. I'm wondering though if it's a long term fix or not. I would probably fix the holes then fill it full of water and let it sit for a day or two to make sure it's holding water. Of course there is no way to know if it will hold under pressure until I reinstall it.
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1997 SR5 4x4 Auto, 99' tall coils up front, OME 906's, Truetrac LSD, Airaid MIT
1999 SR5 4x4 Auto for parts
2011 Camry SE V6
2011 Highlander Limited
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01-24-2022, 02:58 PM
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#4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thegipper
I have the rods already and have watched a few videos of people doing it. It seems pretty straight forward so if I do it, I'll probably attempt it myself. I'm wondering though if it's a long term fix or not. I would probably fix the holes then fill it full of water and let it sit for a day or two to make sure it's holding water. Of course there is no way to know if it will hold under pressure until I reinstall it.
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Have you tried contacting a radiator repair shop? There's one in town but I'm not sure how common they are elsewhere
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2000 Limited V6 Auto E-Locker Sold 3/2022
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01-24-2022, 03:26 PM
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#5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bad Luck
Have you tried contacting a radiator repair shop? There's one in town but I'm not sure how common they are elsewhere
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There might be, I'd have to check.
I'm kind of in a bind because I have three young kids and the Highlander is the DD (need to pick them up from my in laws a couple days a week).
I managed to get two booster seats and a car seat in the back of my 97 4R. I really don't like hauling them around in my 4R because of it's age. Don't get me wrong, the 4R runs like a swiss watch but things like old rusty brake lines makes me not want to drive it with kids anymore than I have to.
I have to figure something out. I actually found a Koyo radiator from parts geek. I chatted with the online sales guy who assured me they have it in stock (it said they had 1 in stock), so I placed the order on Thursday. Fast forward to this morning I got a email saying it was backordered (bastards).
So I'm back to either repairing mine or trying to find a new unit. The other sucky thing is my Highlander has the tow package which has a different, rarer radiator. That certainly isn't helping me.
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1997 SR5 4x4 Auto, 99' tall coils up front, OME 906's, Truetrac LSD, Airaid MIT
1999 SR5 4x4 Auto for parts
2011 Camry SE V6
2011 Highlander Limited
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01-24-2022, 03:30 PM
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#6
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Elite Member
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Join Date: Oct 2014
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Ooh that's a tough one. It can be done but if there's even a slight leak, that radiator sees a fair amount of pressure. Most Toyota caps max out at 1 bar, or 14.5 PSI. If you do weld it yourself, before you drive the vehicle rent a coolant system pressure tester and crank up the pressure and look for leaks. If no leaks, consider it a short term fix (heat and pressure will eventually show any weak points) until you can get it replaced. Last thing you want to do is go on a long drive in the summer and that coolant heats up to 200 degrees+ for hours and hours and THEN springs a leak.
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01-24-2022, 03:48 PM
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#8
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I would stay away from stop leaks as they are known to plug more then just your radiator leak. [That's up to the owner though. ]
If you have the ability to weld aluminum. You can try to weld it. Not sure how successful it will be
I am not sure if anyone makes an expoxy that will bond to aluminum or not.
The aluminum would have to be Super clean too. Don't know if jb weld high temp would bond good enough to stop the leak for a bit. Being it expands and contracts like the exhausts do. I doubt it would seal it.
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7 3rd gens listed in the build thread (2 are parts mobiles)
Build Thread: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...os-builds.html
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Sparks Plugs Wire and Coil Information: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...on-5vz-fe.html
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01-24-2022, 04:07 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ripper238
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There is a total of 3 leaks maybe the size of a sesame seed.
I'm definitely not willing to use any stop leak product.
I have a cooling system pressure tester so I could definitely test that it holds pressure but will it hold pressure over time? I can't imagine all of the heating and cooling cycles will have no impact on the repair.
The more I consider it, the more I think I may just have to bite the bullet and get an OEM one from the dealer.
Damn that is a expensive mistake. I'm not even sure how it happened, I don't remember even bumping into it while I was trying to get the alternator out. This is also the first time I've ever put a hole in the radiator and I've bumped into them many times before.
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1997 SR5 4x4 Auto, 99' tall coils up front, OME 906's, Truetrac LSD, Airaid MIT
1999 SR5 4x4 Auto for parts
2011 Camry SE V6
2011 Highlander Limited
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01-24-2022, 04:35 PM
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#10
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What does it hurt to try?
LOTS of brazed repairs out there in the world that hold plenty of weight, heck motorcycle frames used to be brazed together from new. Obviously, brass/brazing steel is different than aluminum "brazing"... no clue if it would actually hold up or not, but what do you have to lose? You have to wait on a replacement regardless, have the means to test (and it's not like you're going to Cause a catastrophic failure)... in short, you can NOT make things worse by trying.
Obviously practicing good welding habits (extra clean surface, flux) should be observed for the best chance.
Actual Welding? No brainer, it'll 100% do the job.
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01-24-2022, 04:49 PM
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#11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thegipper
There is a total of 3 leaks maybe the size of a sesame seed.
I'm definitely not willing to use any stop leak product.
I have a cooling system pressure tester so I could definitely test that it holds pressure but will it hold pressure over time? I can't imagine all of the heating and cooling cycles will have no impact on the repair.
The more I consider it, the more I think I may just have to bite the bullet and get an OEM one from the dealer.
Damn that is a expensive mistake. I'm not even sure how it happened, I don't remember even bumping into it while I was trying to get the alternator out. This is also the first time I've ever put a hole in the radiator and I've bumped into them many times before.
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Then i would definitely just replace it. Anything passed stop leak will require experience with this kind of repair.
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01-24-2022, 10:36 PM
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#12
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Hold old is it? The best way to prevent radiator damage while leaving the radiator in. Would be to cut a few sheets of cardboard to protect it from accidentail damage.
Does it have the plastic protector cowl on it? As I don't see how a radiator can be damaged changing a alternator.
Major bummer. I know I would try to weld the aluminum. As it's not going to hurt it if it's already leaking..
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7 3rd gens listed in the build thread (2 are parts mobiles)
Build Thread: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...os-builds.html
Brillo's Bucket Fluid Ex changer: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ml#post3358086
Sparks Plugs Wire and Coil Information: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...on-5vz-fe.html
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01-25-2022, 12:07 AM
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#13
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Replace the radiator or have a radiator shop do it.
I’ve been welding about 30 years…. And my Success rate on radiators is pretty sad. It’s a special repair. One that they pressure test and hot tank to make sure it’s good.
Fix it right is my vote. Your working on a valuable Toyota. Not a beater destined for the demo derby next year……
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01-25-2022, 08:21 AM
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#15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thegipper
Hey fellas,
This is not related to my 4runner but I thought this would be a good place to ask.
My 2011 highlander had the alternator go out on it last week. Unfortunately it's a small nightmare to remove it on the 3.5 V6 and somehow I managed to put a couple small holes in the radiator when I was working on it.
I've seen some videos where guys used those aluminum brazing rods to patch the holes in a radiator. My holes a very small so I'm wondering if this is a viable way to fix it.
Literally every parts store in town and the usual online sources either doesn't have the radiator or it will be a week plus to get a new one. The dealership wants $426 and over a week wait for a new one.
Does anyone have any experience with using those brazing rods to fix small holes in a radiator? Does it work and if it does, is it a permanent fix or should only be considered temporary?
Thanks for any insight you may have.
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Did you try looking for the Denso or Koyo p/n or whoever makes the radiator instead of the Toyota part number? Should be half that price and possibly in stock somewhere. I carry some epoxy patcher for radiator and gas tank for emergencies but never tried using it, maybe epoxy would work until you can get a new one.
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