Overflow fitting at Radiator Cap snapped

[Jcrilly1]

The overflow fitting from the Radiator Cap snapped . It’s metal , the mechanic broke it on installation. Looking for info on a repair .

 

[Afrakes]

If you can't solder it back in place, try a bit of JB Weld.

 

[JSM]

Broke mine off when I pulled the engine a few years back. Picked up a new fill neck fitting from a radiator repair shop and watched some YouTube videos on soldering.
Heat up the existing fitting with a torch, be sure to use mapp gas. When the old solder melts you can pull the fitting out with a pair of pliers.
Clean up the opening with a wire brush, butter up the new fitting with flux and solder in place.
Radiator shop wanted $350 to come to the yard and do it. Final cost was under $50.

 

[Prairie Schooner]

Broke mine off when I pulled the engine a few years back. Picked up a new fill neck fitting from a radiator repair shop and watched some YouTube videos on soldering.
Heat up the existing fitting with a torch, be sure to use mapp gas. When the old solder melts you can pull the fitting out with a pair of pliers.
Clean up the opening with a wire brush, butter up the new fitting with flux and solder in place.
Radiator shop wanted $350 to come to the yard and do it. Final cost was under $50.

Go John!! Awesome.

One of the main mistakes people make with soldering is thinking the flame melts/flows the solder. The flame should heat the work pieces and they will melt/flow the solder. Heat applied to specific areas of the pieces should draw the solder toward it. Having very clean surfaces when you're ready to assemble for soldering is critical. This includes wiping off any hand oil. For something that big, I might use two torches, one for general heat and the other to direct the solder. You might be able to just solder the disconnected nipple back in. Clean all joint surfaces real good first. (trained as a silversmith and taught that kind of thing at college level, among other stuff)

 

[Prairie Schooner]

The overflow fitting from the Radiator Cap snapped . It’s metal , the mechanic broke it on installation. Looking for info on a repair .

So he just broke it, handed you an invoice, and went on his merry way?

 

[Afrakes]

So he just broke it, handed you an invoice, and went on his merry way?

I don't think that the mechanic "broke" it intentionally. In thirty plus years of doing repair work, old things that weren't put together properly the first time and "broke" while fixing something else, was not my fault. If the issue was not in my skill set the customer had to get someone else to do the repair. If I fixed it the customer paid for the extra work. As to the repair in question my advice is to keep it simple if you don't have the skill set nor the available funds to do it the "ideal" way.

 

[Jcrilly1]

Broke mine off when I pulled the engine a few years back. Picked up a new fill neck fitting from a radiator repair shop and watched some YouTube videos on soldering.
Heat up the existing fitting with a torch, be sure to use mapp gas. When the old solder melts you can pull the fitting out with a pair of pliers.
Clean up the opening with a wire brush, butter up the new fitting with flux and solder in place.
Radiator shop wanted $350 to come to the yard and do it. Final cost was under $50.

Very nice repair . Thanks for the info .

Broke mine off when I pulled the engine a few years back. Picked up a new fill neck fitting from a radiator repair shop and watched some YouTube videos on soldering.
Heat up the existing fitting with a torch, be sure to use mapp gas. When the old solder melts you can pull the fitting out with a pair of pliers.
Clean up the opening with a wire brush, butter up the new fitting with flux and solder in place.
Radiator shop wanted $350 to come to the yard and do it. Final cost was under $50.

 

[Jcrilly1]

I don't think that the mechanic "broke" it intentionally. In thirty plus years of doing repair work, old things that weren't put together properly the first time and "broke" while fixing something else, was not my fault. If the issue was not in my skill set the customer had to get someone else to do the repair. If I fixed it the customer paid for the extra work. As to the repair in question my advice is to keep it simple if you don't have the skill set nor the available funds to do it the "ideal" way.

Thanks for your insights .

 

[Prairie Schooner]

I don't think that the mechanic "broke" it intentionally. In thirty plus years of doing repair work, old things that weren't put together properly the first time and "broke" while fixing something else, was not my fault. If the issue was not in my skill set the customer had to get someone else to do the repair. If I fixed it the customer paid for the extra work. As to the repair in question my advice is to keep it simple if you don't have the skill set nor the available funds to do it the "ideal" way.

I wasn't saying the mechanic broke it on purpose. In fact, as you say, breakage is pretty common. It's for that reason I think a good mechanic should have some contingencies in their pocket if repairing the break is outside their wheelhouse. They should be able to recommend some options or vendors who can complete the repair. I was in the contract fabrication business for decades and if something went wrong, depending on circumstances, I might even offer a modest discount.

Sorry to hijack your thread @Jcrilly1 - I'll end my rant here.