| Author | Message | ||
| Darrell Black, DVM (Darrelldvm)
Registered Member Username: Darrelldvm Post Number: 42 Registered: 6-2005 Posted From: 209.78.171.84 Rating: N/A |
The bottom of my cooling system surge tank is beginnig to leak ever so slightly. The bottom has some cracks in it. The Questions: (1) Is tank replacement difficult? (2) Is repair of the tank bottom feasable? [It's Aluminum I think.] (3) Does anyone have one? | ||
| clint hunter (Truthhunter)
Registered Member Username: Truthhunter Post Number: 449 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 24.129.232.232  Rating: N/A |
you might look into the gas tank liner that is sold for motorcycle tanks, not sure how it holds up to antifreeze, or the slight pressure your system creates. Where is the leak , on a seam or corrosion from galvanic action near a mount. Depending on where & why of the leak , it may be best to get another tank. | ||
| larry currier (Larryc)
Registered Member Username: Larryc Post Number: 268 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 205.188.116.203 Rating: N/A |
I have had good luck TIG welding a large aluminum patch over the entire cracked out area. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1611 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9  Rating: N/A |
Make sure it isn't actually a gasket leak running down over the tank. Best bet is to remove rad and separate tank from core; lots of bolts. Easier way would be to remove and take it to a radiator shop that works on truck radiators. If the tank is bad, either have it alum welded or get a good used one or NOS if you can find one. If it is cracked, try to figure out why. Those tanks were pretty sturdy. | ||
| Len Silva (Lsilva)
Registered Member Username: Lsilva Post Number: 283 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 24.164.20.23  Rating: N/A |
John, I think Darrell is talking about the surge tank, not the radiator tank. Darrell, Depending on your tolerance for acceptable vs perfect, I would clean up the bottom as best I could and try JB Weld on it. Nothing to lose if it works, easy enough to grind off later if you need more extensive repair. Len | ||
| clint hunter (Truthhunter)
Registered Member Username: Truthhunter Post Number: 452 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 24.129.232.219 Rating: N/A |
I'm guessing (again) that the cyclops has radiators even in the surge tank, you know those nuclear powered contraptions, always giga - joules of spare energy to shed for redundancy ( think a run-a-way jimmie is messy), or so I have heard... | ||
| Len Silva (Lsilva)
Registered Member Username: Lsilva Post Number: 284 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 24.164.20.23 Rating: N/A |
You are one very strange cat! And I love you for it. | ||
| Jim Wilke (Jim Bob) (Pd41044039)
Registered Member Username: Pd41044039 Post Number: 391 Registered: 2-2001 Posted From: 69.77.145.30 Rating: N/A |
Truthunter, your diet isn't rich in wild mushrooms by chance, is it? | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1612 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9 Rating: N/A |
If you are talking about the overflow or expansion tank, I believe they are made of brass. Remove it and solder it or have a radiator shop repair it. | ||
| Darrell Black, DVM (Darrelldvm)
Registered Member Username: Darrelldvm Post Number: 43 Registered: 6-2005 Posted From: 209.78.171.84 Rating: N/A |
Seems like Larry has actually had experiece repairing the surge tank, Larry, the tank is Aluminum, correct? | ||
| larry currier (Larryc)
Registered Member Username: Larryc Post Number: 270 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 205.188.116.203 Rating: N/A |
Darrel, I thought you said it was aluminum and that is how I have made long lasting repairs to aluminum cooling system parts. Scratch it with a knife and try a magnet on it and you should be able to tell. | ||
| clint hunter (Truthhunter)
Registered Member Username: Truthhunter Post Number: 455 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 24.129.232.219 Rating: N/A |
nope jimbob , ain't caught a buzz in many decades; the cyclopes is something special, the nuclear powered bus from "the big bus" movie , which reportably john w. roan now has custody off, just trying to encourage him to share that beast with us more-normal busnuts servants. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1613 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9 Rating: N/A |
If it is aluminum, you can repair it with a special alloy alum rod and a Bernzomatic torch. They sell these online and at car shows,tool shows, etc. Sometimes they show soldering soda cans together with it Clean well, heat till solder melts ans rub into crack or hole. This stuff is awsome. I repaired a hole in an AC condenser with it and it is still holding. Very strong repair.Here is a kit with the brush you need for cleaning. Hundreds of uses http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Alumiweld-Standard-Kit-Aluminum-Repair_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_t rksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem35a31d4ec4QQitemZ230369873604QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fT ools |