Hole in Radiator

Silver solder might work well but it has to get good and hot to melt. It needs flux paste . Don't use too much. Only takes a tiny bit. A thin coat.
Don't braze. That takes a torch. Way too much for that thin core. Solder.

 

Bad advice stop leak will plug up heater core in cab and bunk often .

 

I wouldn't put stop leak in anything, that stuff is nasty. Mechanic in a bottle rarely works.

 

I ran another 150 miles and it shut down. Right before the rest area! Rain had just stopped. It was leaking bad . The zip ties had stretched from heat. I was worried about the sticky stuff not holding up to heat. Tightened the zip ties. Added another piece,over everything rolled up, and another 3 small zip ties. I can’t believe it worked. Added 3,5 gallons of water. Usually shuts down when only a gallon low. Not sure what’s up with that. Started raining. Ran another 200 miles. Got fuel, added 1/2 gallon. Ran another 200, miles and made my appointment. Still hasn’t leaked. Can’t believe I made it. Rained on and off all the way. Tornado warnings. Kept rolling through 20 Miles of dangerous weather. 4 ways, bright lights, and watching the zipper. Heavy rain, then it just completely stopped. Crazy weather. It’s all across from north to south. Wife kept warning me, Lol. Good thing I was heavy. 40 mpg gusts. Quick short gusts. Hammered down. I prayed from the time I worked on it, till I got here. Non stop. Lol. It worked. Looked like my Luck had ran out. Not yet!!! When I first saw the leak, I started adding. $500 towing. $2000, 3 day wait for radiator. $1600 Labor. $3600 lost revenue. If I can solder it. That’s great. Got till 5:00 pm tomorrow to get it done. I’m tempted to leave it be, not sure it will hold another 1150 miles home though.

 

One more thing. I left my cap loose. I couldn’t find my old cap. It has the big rubber gasket missing, from when I was running it before the inframe. I considered taking the gasket of the new one. I look at it. Realize it’s the old cap. Never put the new one on. That explains why I’ve been pushing a tiny amount from the overflow. Never had pressure. Couldn’t figure it out. Lol. So now I’m looking for the new cap. I’m happy anyways, thought I might have had a problem developing.

 

I agree. The one disadvantage is my parking space doesn’t have water or electricity. And the weathers still cold. Where I’m at there’s a fuel stop that has plenty water available. Also TruckPro across the street. They don’t care if I work on the Truck. The other option is the TA, with Freightliner next door. I get nervous doing a job while under a Load, unless it’s necessary. Always try to be near parts. The weekends always a challenge, especially down south. At this point I don’t have anything to lose. Worst case is cancelling tomorrow’s Load. If I don’t fix it better, might not make the delivery. Can’t handle that stress again. I need to get that Lead solder, and some flux. I guess Lowe’s? I have Harbor Freight, everything around here.

 

Get plenty water. Crimp it really good. If you can't solder it because of the location. Run it while you are sitting and time it to see how much water you are losing. I've been in that position before. Crimped it until I could take radiator out. You are in a good place being close to stores and water.

 

You might get away with soldering it for a temporary fix.

 

Do NOT put the new cap on till the radiator is properly fixed, higher pressure will cause more leakage

 

I know. I like the keep the old one, no seal. Impossible to build pressure. Still running it loose.