Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > BMW Tech
BMW Tech BMW Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to BMW riders only.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Des Moines
Posts: 421
Can you weld on a F650 radiator while it has coolant inside?

Hey guys, I am guessing that the answer is probably no. I am looking for a way to repair my radiator which had a whole at the top of the blades which I had fixed at a radiator shop in Ecuador, but is now starting to leak again in Bolivia. I have not taken the radiator out before and am not sure I want to risk messing something up in Bolivia.

Thank You,
Geoff
__________________
http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sax, Spain
Posts: 901
nope

short answer: NO

Long answer: Not a chance, unless you want a face full of steam, no weld etc etc etc etc etc.....

Dismantle is the only way to go, unless you use Rad-seal or similar....... or dare I suggest this on here? The WHITE ( Albumen) of an egg ( yep, the things laid by chickens!) or in the case of a bike, half of an egg white, as a temporary measure, dropped into a COLD engine's radiator and then started up and ran.
the idea is the egg gets hard and chopped up, and as it leaks, little bits of fineley chopped egg white eventually 'Dam' the leak.
as I say, its an EMERGENCY measure, and would need a damn good back flush after....... might get you outta trouble though.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Feb 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 994
I wouldn't risk it. I don't own a F650 but I think the radiators work in the same way cross-manufacturer!

Whether using rad-weld or similar or actually welding you normally want the surfaces to be as clean as possible. The effort of prepping it will be a lot less than having to redo a failed repair!

Good luck
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
If you take the rad off, it's drained anyway? (I guess you are contemplating welding insitu) - anyway, check with the welder!

Water will conduct heat away which is not a great idea while welding and/or, it will boil-off locally to the weld heat which is also undesirable.
(Beware of super-heated steam; steam under pressure - it hurts!).
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Feb 2008
Guest2
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Geoff,
I have not worked on a F650 Radiator.

You will need to take it off and drain to make a good repair. Rads are normally brass cores and headers and sometimes plastic headers. The cores are normally soldered not welded. If it is the core that is leaking because the fan has hit it and you can see the hole you could try to squeeze the pipe together with some pliers, if it a big hole you could cut the pipe at the hole, flatten it and fold it back on it self (may still need solder). This can be done without taking the fluid out or removing the rad. This method will reduce the flow in the rad fractionally but I don't think it will make a difference.

Ask around the car and truck repair yards as radiator repairs are often done by a specialist it will mean taking it off but they will be able to test the repair with compressed air in a water tank. Test pressure will be a little more than the radiator cap I guesstimate 10 psi max.

I hope this helps.

Steve
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 766
If you're welding in situ be very careful of the electics. At the very least disconnect the earth (-ve) lead. I think you'll find that the core may be alu anyway so I'd be very careful. On the plus side wherever you are in the world you won't be far from someone who can do a better repair than you. I've had a lot of success with liquid rad repair solutions in the past.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 14 Feb 2008
Mr. Ron's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC, for now...
Posts: 792
Short answer...don't weld the rad on the bike! Take it off and do it properly. It shouldn't be hard to find a rad shop specializing in these repairs. People in the third world can't afford new parts and laybor is dirt cheap, hence anything can be repaired.
It's okay to weld things on the bike, i do it all the time. I built my entire rack on the bike without disconnecting the ground. The key is positioning the ground properly so no current loops through fragile computers and such. Even with the ground disconected you risk having a ground loop through fragile parts. That being said, you will not preform a good dependable repair while the rad is on the bike. It has to be drained, dry and the repair location absolutely clean with a wire brush and acid fluxed before soldering.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
using mostly distilled water as coolant (with just a little antifreeze) monkii BMW Tech 2 3 Sep 2007 14:00
Removing the catalyser on F650 GS pierresas BMW Tech 0 5 Feb 2004 21:12
Overheating problems F650 GS Dakar Jeremy Andrews BMW Tech 1 3 Feb 2002 07:12
Water Pumps on F650 GS Dakars Jeremy Andrews BMW Tech 3 24 Jan 2002 17:54
KLR650 vs F650 Kurt Which Bike? 2 10 Sep 2001 07:45

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:26.