FWC 454 with leak at heat exchanger

Author Message   Brian Sinclair Visitor Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 03:29 am:    I have a small leak on the heat exchanger of one of my 1984 454's. The leak is right above one of the 1 1/4" antifreeze ports (Near the top of the heat changer). The price of a new one is about 850 bucks. It only leaks when pressure builds up during running. Is it feasible to build up some sort of epoxy to seal the leak and strengthen the joint. If so, what does everyone recommend? Has anyone had success doing this. Thanks again for the help in advance. I have always received great infomation from this site.   Bondo Advanced Member Username: bondo Post Number: 981 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 11:36 am:    "The price of a new one is about 850 bucks. It only leaks when pressure builds up during running. Is it feasible to build up some sort of epoxy to seal the leak and strengthen the joint. If so, what does everyone recommend? Has anyone had success doing this." Nope,.... Plastic Isn't what you want to use.... Pull the heat exchanger,+ bring it to a Radiator Shop,.... They can solder it,+ pressure test it for a Permanent Repair....   Jb Member Username: jbthehut Post Number: 29 Registered: 11-2006 Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 12:44 pm:    Bondo is absolutly right, get it fixed right the first time. I tried something similar in an emergency (JB Weld) it worked for a while and got me home, but it precluded getting it fixed properly and I had to buy a new one.   Brian Roderick Member Username: brian_from_boston Post Number: 17 Registered: 05-2007 Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 10:22 pm:    Some food for thought... If it is anything like an automotive cooling system, it is designed to run at a certain pressure. If it is unable to reach that designed pressure, you could overheat and cost more than the $100-$200 to have it soldered and pressure checked. I chased a cooling problem in a GMC PU I had changed the water pump, radiator, thermostat, and upper and lower hoses, heater core.. I found the problem, it was a pin hole leak in one of the heater core hoses. Moral of story is don't guess and don't shortcut.   Rick Sweeten Senior Member Username: linesix Post Number: 1192 Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 10:29 pm:    No, the moral of the story is, you could haver paid a professional, with the tools to easily troubleshoot it, and saved yourself hundreds of dollars, and a bunch of aggravation. Sorry, I just couldn't resist...   Brian Sinclair Visitor Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 01:19 am:    Thanks everyone! I'm going to pull it and take it to the shop for repair. I didn't think of that path. Much cheapier than buying new. Thanks to all!!   Brian Roderick Member Username: brian_from_boston Post Number: 18 Registered: 05-2007 Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 08:57 pm:    Wow! Rick I ducked in my chair as I read that. I don't trust the professionals! What ever happened to doing a good job for good money. When did it become half A@# job and rip you off. You should really see the corners that were cut on my Blackfin. It looks like Helen Keller caulked the back deck!   Rick Sweeten Senior Member Username: linesix Post Number: 1195 Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 09:42 pm:    Brian, you're right, I deal with it every day. I work for several major yacht manufacturers. I am often sent to make repairs that their dealers either couldn't make, or did and the customer was not satisfied with. It is often embarrassing what some of these hacks do. But it also reminds me of myself. When I was first married and had no money, (unlike now when I have no money because I have 6 kids and they all want to go to college at the same time) my washing machine died. I said to myself, "self, how hard can this be to fix"? Several hours later I had it apart and had the transmission in a billion pieces on my livingroom floor, only to find that the $.05 part that broke could not be bought, you had to buy the complete transmission. Sometimes it just doesn't pay to do it yourself. Someone should call the Better Business Bureau on that Keller woman, here's one I worked on today. This looks like her work too. This is a $1M boat, recaulked by a dealer.   Brian Roderick Member Username: brian_from_boston Post Number: 19 Registered: 05-2007 Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 07:23 am:    Rick, I'm on the work computer right now, but I will post some pics in this posting in the next 24-48 hours for you to see. It was a $35000 insurance fix. I have spent the past 2 weeks fixing wiring and refastening hardware that was part of the fix. I haven't even had the chance to start on the tune-up/PM or installing the twinscan floscan. I thought people were joking when they say the best boat is a friend's boat!   Todd Moore Advanced Member Username: concritter Post Number: 141 Registered: 12-2007 Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 07:59 pm:    Cheer up guys...spring is here and off to our sport we go.I here what you are saying and sorry to say there will never be an end to sloppy workmanship in this day and age.Anyone that takes pride in their work and does the little things right will always be succesful.I start each day with a smile and positive attitude even if I know it is going to be a very rough day.By the way I am supervisor of over 100 in a construction company and see the same frustrations and must answer for my weakest link also.So on with life we go and shake our heads.Great tradesman are hard to find, and when you locate them,hang close.I keep preaching.."once right and with pride is better than 2 almosts"...Not sure how much this writing had to do with ...FWC454 with leak at heat exchanger, though.hahahah...Todd

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