Can you solder top rad tank on 1986 Honda

[Dennis Osborne]

I have a small crack (just beside the rad cap) on my 1986 Honda Accord. The top tank seems to be made out of steel (I think) and I want to know if I can clean it up with a wire brush and seal it with some solder? If I can, I wont have to take the rad out!

The engine over heated... and indstead of the rad cap blowing off steam, a small plate that is welded just over the tank let go right at the edge of the plate. It's really small and I thought I might be able to put some solder on it. My brother said it might be a plastic tank, but it sounds metalic (and it looks like metal) I should of got a magnet out to check it, but I can do that tomorrow! But the thing is...if it is lite gauge steel, can it be solderd?

[CivicSpoon]

I highly doubt solder would hold up to the pressure of a radiator. If it is in fact steel, welding would be a far better alternative. Welding actually fuses the metal together, where solder pretty much just covers the hole.

[Dennis Osborne]

Originally Posted by CivicSpoon

I highly doubt solder would hold up to the pressure of a radiator. If it is in fact steel, welding would be a far better alternative. Welding actually fuses the metal together, where solder pretty much just covers the hole.

I went out yesterday to see if a magnet would stick to the tank, and it didn't! Found out that the tank is made of plastic! Now the question is... (and the crack is right on top of the tank about 3 inches long, I doubt I would even have to take the rad out to repair it) Is there some kind of Plastic kit I could use to repair it? Thanks in advance. Dennis.

[somick]

Dennis!

I have never heard of that kind of Plastic Kit that can withstand high pressure.
New radiators are fairly chip. About five years ago I was able to buy a new radiator for my son's 1995 Accord for 62 dollars. New radiator will be a good insurance against overheating. There is a very little work involved in replacing a radiator.

I would just replace a radiator and be done with it.

Good luck,

Sam

[65comet]

Autozone and Advance Auto Parts show $83.00 USD for that radiator. I have stitch welded a plastic reservoir that was pressurized, by heating with heat gun and melting crack with soldering iron while placing in extra plastic, similar a metal weld. But I kept extra coolant and two vise grips that could close off those lines to the bottle if it broke apart. Only did it because a new one wasn't available for that car and every one I found in the junk yard was also cracked. For ease of mind, go with the new. Fixing plastic is only a last resort.