I need a Radiator

[tc9988]

This is a followup to my other thread about my leaking radiator. Small leak turned into a major leak. Further investigation I found the fan has been rubbing on the radiator and wore a hoe through it. The bike has never been dropped however I have always noticed a strange noise when the fan activates.

Short story is part unavailable until September 30. I'll save my rant about that for another time. So anybody have or know where I can get a radiator. I'll try an epoxy repair but I'm not confident that will work.

 

[scott123007]

A radiator shop should be able to TIG that. If not, JB Weld could be your temporary friend.

 

[Dallara]

This is a followup to my other thread about my leaking radiator. Small leak turned into a major leak. Further investigation I found the fan has been rubbing on the radiator and wore a hoe through it. The bike has never been dropped however I have always noticed a strange noise when the fan activates.

Short story is part unavailable until September 30. I'll save my rant about that for another time. So anybody have or know where I can get a radiator. I'll try an epoxy repair but I'm not confident that will work.

Don't know exactly where you're at, Elwood...

But if you're in, or close to, a major metropolitan area you should be able to find a radiator repair shop that can probably fix you up. Just look for one that specializes in foreign cars, as they usually have the most experience with thin-wall aluminum radiators.

These guys do tons of motocross and off-road vehicle radiator repair - http://www.motorcycleradiators.com/ - biggest and best in the business, and they might be worth a call to ask them about the best way to do a temporary, *in-the-field* repair. These guys, too - http://www.icwbikestands.com/icwbikestand.com/Radiator_Repair.html - as they have a good reputation.

One thing I can tell you - Don't Use Stop-Leak!!!

It will cause you a whole more problems than it will ever solve, and they will be with you and your engine forever after.

You might also do a Google search of motocross, hare scrambles, and enduro web forums, etc., as those guys are having to do "at the track" radiator repairs all the time.

Hope this helps!

Dallara



~

 

[Karson]

I'd keep an eye on the fan too. If it's been rubbing, there's a chance the fan motor's been over taxed and had a hard life during that period of time. Not saying it needs replacing at this point, but something to pay some attention to as you add miles.

23P-12405-01-00 BLOWER ASSY $261.40

 

[rotortech71]

Not to mention the need to find what caused the fan to rub in the first place.

 

[tc9988]

here it is. Think epoxy would work as a temporary fix? Nearest guy who might be able to do a weld repair is 300 miles away and I won't know until Monday at the earliest

 

[tc9988]

zip ties duct tape and Walmart

Its was off to Walmart this morning. Rubber gloves, 6 pack of cheap rags, aluminum baking tin and a bag of kitty litter. The kitty litter is to soak up any ant freeze spills, I don't want to be responsible for the death of any dogs.

10 minutes and the rad was out. There is apparently a guy who can solder/braze aluminum radiators about 180 miles from here. If he can do it tomorrow I'll head over in a rental car. If not I'll get a propane torch and some aluminum brazing rod which is available locally and try it myself.

I discussed a claim on my extended warranty with the Gold Star Yamaha dealer in Fort Kent Maine. Well he says you have to have full documentation of all your service work, well I explained the motorcycle only has 10000miles on it so there have only been oil changes which I do myself and my records are at home on the west coast and what do oil changes have to do with a leaking radiator caused by a misaligned fan. I explained the bike has never been dropped and he is welcome to inspect it.

Oh he says, then that is something your selling dealer must have missed when he did the PDI so you'll have to go back to him. WTF. I'll refrain from going on a rant since it is a nice sunny day here in the Gaspe

 

[scott123007]

If the radiator shop can't do it when you want, I would seriously consider using JB Weld. Electric welding aluminum is very tricky at best, and it goes down hill from there. I have fixed dirt bike radiators with JB Weld before, and if you do it right, you will forget all about ever having had a leak.

 

[tc9988]

If the radiator shop can't do it when you want, I would seriously consider using JB Weld. Electric welding aluminum is very tricky at best, and it goes down hill from there. I have fixed dirt bike radiators with JB Weld before, and if you do it right, you will forget all about ever having had a leak.

The process is not electric. Its brazing using apropane torch. The brazing material melts at approx 700, the parent material at approx 1200. But the tubes are thin. If I was at home I would try the repair myself but since 4 or 5 tubes have been punctured if I screw it up I've got an even bigger challenge.

Here's a video of the process from Muggyweld http://muggyweld.com/aluminum-radiator-soldering

I talked to Myers in Utah. They do motorcycle rad repairs, in fact they just finished an S10 rad. Sent him a photo of my damage and he said no problem $80. Price is OK but I'm currently in Canada so I have to drive 150 miles to the nearest UPS depot . It would take up to four days even using overnight services and be another $150+. My hotel room is costing me $95 a day so you get the picture.

Myers said JB weld would fail sooner rather than later since the epoxy is rigid and the aluminum is constantly expanding and contracting. If I was looking just to get home I would do it. But I've got another 3 to 4000 miles planned.

And did I mention Yamaha USA or Canada does not have a rad. Up to three weeks for delivery. A Canadian dealer would take my CC payment but couldn't tell me for 3 days how long it would take for delivery. They must still be communicating by smoke signals. IF the ST is dropped that'll be the story for most parts


.

 

[Bigbore4]

FWIW my son recently used JB Weld on a cracked 1098 Ducati rad. It does not have a bunch of miles yet but it has been a few weeks and it does have numerous thermal cycles, which is what will move things and cause the JB Weld fix to crack or otherwise fail. And if it does start up again, re goober it.

It pains me to read the garbage you report at the local dealer. That is complete dealer chicken sh!t. I hope when you finally get home your dealer does right by you. Make sure you don't overwrite or delete the pictures of the damage, Yamaha would have a hard time judging the damage from the fan if covered with JB Weld.

Let us know how the event wraps up, I bought the YES and would hate to have to fight to get a legit repair.

 

[sfc67]

Elwood if you want I can check with the local dealer and see if the cann get you one here ?
You will be passing close by if you are still going to NL.
PM me if you need.

Sean