front heat exchanger

[TREBB]

My front cooler is cracked somewhere at the seem on the side so welding is not an option. The season has only about 6 weeks left and I don't want to waste time removing the cooler now. Has anyone had success with a remote one or fixing it up some how to get enough cooling.

 

[riverman]

Lost mine first day of week long trip. Bypassed it with some copper water fittings and rode rest of the week. temp light never came on.

 

[sleddineinar]

Bummer, I had mine crack on the bottom edge last year right about this time of the season. I lost 2 weeks trying to fix it... I cleaned the crack out really good with a stainless steel brush, and brazed it with an aluminum brazing rod from Benzomatic and mapp gas. since your's is cracked along the side you'll probably need to take it out, I left mine in to repair it. I think you need to pull the motor to do it. If you can leave it in, you'll need to drain it really good. (Well, you need to drain it good either way).

 

[97srxXT]

Mine had two hair line cracks on the inside face. I cut an access flap (kinda ghetto yes) then tipped sled on side cleaned surface really well scuffed with sand paper then used Jb weld on it. Cost me nothing really but time, But a lot better then pulling that thing out and buying a new one at this point of the season.

 

[TREBB]

thanks for the input ..... anyone else with some patch ideas?

 

[harness racer]

jb weld

 

[TREBB]

Just a little update on the issue.... first off I had a stud puncher a week ago, had it welded put the exchanger back in and it was still leaking ...BUT NOT from the repair??? Here's why.... for those how are going to weld the exchanger be very careful how high up on the cooler you weld. The section at the top were there's no fins is actually an air space with holes at the end of the tank (that you can't see) . So when It was welded the heat from the TIG caused a hole on the inside of the cooler, creating a passage for the coolant.

Just thought I would pass this along, as Aluminum brazing or JB wouldn't have done this....not saying they are better but could get you out of a pinch.

Jay