Nicked radiator hard line with angle grinder

[Outrider]

Afaik when brazing, you don't actually melt the surface, just the filler. Seems like the problem with brazing that line is the thin walls and the low specific heat of aluminium means it would be easy to blow through, especially if you are using something as indiscriminate as a gas torch.

So, reckon I can TIG braze it on the car? I maybe could crank the TIG heat up enough to get it hot without really heating up much of the liquid. Failing that, I can just bribe my welding teacher to braze it.

Correct. With brazing, the base metal may be near its melting temperature (such as with aluminum), but it's not supposed to actually melt, like it does with welding. That would be tricky and risky with thin aluminum tube. Too hot, and you ruin the entire thing. You really don't get much warning when aluminum melts. It doesn't turn red like steel. I wouldn't risk it, myself.

I don't have any personal experience with TIG. I wish I did - wish I could afford one of those very expensive machines. Then I would learn how to use it, because that could come in very, very handy on a lot of things.

 

[Crusifix]

I would definitely evacuate the system.

 

[Quantumkiwi]

I would definitely evacuate the system.

No point in doing that now, all the sites about recharging AC says not to do it below 50-60 degrees or so. Its not gonna get that warm here for another 2-3 months at least (unless I drive down to the border lol.) So I guess, the only thing I can do for now is to hope it doesn't leak.

 

[96RedRunner]

Afaik when brazing, you don't actually melt the surface, just the filler..

True to a point, you have to get base material to that fine line so filler bonds,
Aluminum is hard to see that fine line before it goes molten.

 

[Quantumkiwi]

True to a point, you have to get base material to that fine line so filler bonds,
Aluminum is hard to see that fine line before it goes molten.

Yea, I spent a few years in high school welding aluminium robot frames for some competitions. Its was a fast learning experience, especially when you eventually figure out you're using 75/25 gas instead of argon. But I've never brazed it before.

 

[phattyduck]

If you *are* going to fix it, just get a 'new line' from a junkyard truck. And new o-rings, and a new drier, and the time and effort to evacuate, replace parts, vacuum, test for leaks, then refill.

*or*

You could just leave the damn thing.

It maxes out below 400PSI and won't damage anything if it leaks... This is not a power steering or fuel line near your exhaust or something.

-Charlie

 

[96RedRunner]

Another thing about aluminum is it doesn't like impurities when welding/brazing.
Plastic bristle brush only, dirt is a problem, oil will boil off and pop a hole.
Be good learning experience however you go about. First for me was couple yrs after highschool
1978 using Tig with argon. Aluminum is not a forgiving type of material to work with when it's thin, Tig and SS is my favorite.

 

[Bad Luck]

Hi guys, I understand that this thread is quite old, but I would like to give my husband an angle grinder. He dreamed about it but I really think that it is dangerous for home use, especially if you don't have any experience. What do you think about that?

As long as you take the guard off and use one of the blades: https://www.homedepot.com/p/King-Ar...9q-YaZfm82NClHDcX7BoCuAYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds I think it's perfectly safe!

 

[weekendclimber]

Hi guys, I understand that this thread is quite old, but I would like to give my husband an angle grinder. He dreamed about it but I really think that it is dangerous for home use, especially if you don't have any experience. What do you think about that?

No offense, but the only thing you have to ask yourself is "Is my husband an idiot?" If the answer is no, then using an angle grinder at home is just fine. Get him some breathing and eye protection while you're at it too.

 

[Quantumkiwi]

Hi guys, I understand that this thread is quite old, but I would like to give my husband an angle grinder. He dreamed about it but I really think that it is dangerous for home use, especially if you don't have any experience. What do you think about that?

Only one way to get experience.
So long as eyes and ears are protected, worst he can do it get a nasty scar.
Not at all as dangerous as a chainsaw, where even if you do have the proper PPE, its easy for an idiot to chop off a hand (coming from the idiot who nearly cut his leg off with a chainsaw.)

 

[WeakSauz]

Hi guys, I understand that this thread is quite old, but I would like to give my husband an angle grinder. He dreamed about it but I really think that it is dangerous for home use, especially if you don't have any experience. What do you think about that?

Mods should drop the ban hammer on this poster-- person has posted 2 previous phishing links prior to this.

Dreaming about an angle grinder hahahaha

 

[sleepydad]

Mods should drop the ban hammer on this poster-- person has posted 2 previous phishing links prior to this.

Dreaming about an angle grinder hahahaha

I really don't get the end game of the troll posts? what kind of telemetry can one hope to collect?

valuable insight into the 20+ year old Toyota truck form because they are all whales with tons of $$$?

 

[ViaPhoenix]

Hey guys, I wasnt as lucky as OP, I cut all the way through. Anything i should know about swapping this line? Looks like it there is a bolt right there at the condenser, and then over on the other side at the dryer.

I will need the new hardline, some o-rings(?) and then a AC system evac and recharge, right?

Looks like the part number might be "88726-35020" my dealer's site wants 70 bux, i might try to pull from a junk yard, we'll see.

 

[Bad Luck]

Hey guys, I wasnt as lucky as OP, I cut all the way through. Anything i should know about swapping this line? Looks like it there is a bolt right there at the condenser, and then over on the other side at the dryer.

I will need the new hardline, some o-rings(?) and then a AC system evac and recharge, right?

Looks like the part number might be "88726-35020" my dealer's site wants 70 bux, i might try to pull from a junk yard, we'll see.

That looks like the correct part number to me. I would definitely replace the o-rings when you replace the line, and yes you'll need to vacuum the system down and then recharge it. It's possible to buy/rent the tools to do this yourself but I would recommend just having a shop do it.

 

[ViaPhoenix]

That looks like the correct part number to me. I would definitely replace the o-rings when you replace the line, and yes you'll need to vacuum the system down and then recharge it. It's possible to buy/rent the tools to do this yourself but I would recommend just having a shop do it.

Thanks! Definitely going to have a shop do the recharge of the system, i dont think I have the patience to do that job corrently, ha. Any idea the O-ring size or part number?

 

[Bad Luck]

Thanks! Definitely going to have a shop do the recharge of the system, i dont think I have the patience to do that job corrently, ha. Any idea the O-ring size or part number?

I can't determine for certain what seals you might need so your best bet may be getting a complete seal kit. They're less than $25. More Information for FOUR SEASONS 26749 https://www.oreillyauto.com/shop/b/...6/v/a/7923/automotive-suv-2000-toyota-4runner