JB Weld a Condsender Leak?

[hozer]

Has anyone tried this before (tiny crack). I have heard it can work, but I am skeptical because it is a high pressure/temp system. Appreciate any thoughts

 

[410Fortune]

all you can do is try.
I have seen JB weld and used it for some pretty interesting things, you dont think it will hold, but it does.

the KEY is to prep the surface, it must be roughed up and CLEAN and DRY
Then you must allow the JB weld sufficient time to cure, dont use the quick weld for something like this either.

the problem with using it on the A/C system is obviously if it doesnt hold you are out the $$$ for the coolant and fill.

Your best bet is a new or repaired condensor.
I say try it

I cracked my old engine block by being stupid (overtightened tappered oil pressure fitting) JB weld held it together for 2 years.

 

[Glacier991]

I'm with 410... I'd either get it repaired right or replace it... I am HIGHLY speptical JB weld can do the trick. You are talking pressures upwards of 300 PSI.

 

[expo5.0]

duct tape?

 

[hozer]

Hey, honestly I am skeptical too...but I have heard it works and I think it is possible.

300psi over a small crack means it will only need to hold a small fraction of a pound to work.

I wonder if it would fatigue out with the compressor switching on and off continually and the thermal expansion mismatch eventually causing a failure.

 

[zhanx]

it wont work.. trust me on that one..

i am a 52c for the army (a/c mech). i had a hwmmv come in the other day with jb weld on it.. held for about two secs.. use some soft sodier and a small hand held torch if the hole is really small, its easy to do, or hard (%5 silver) and a larger torch and seal it that way just dont melt the pipe

 

[hozer]

In the end, I think you are right.

As a structural analyst and M.E. though...I always have to wonder though.

 

[Glacier991]

I still need to find you the name of that silver solder used in AC....I have a spool floating around here somewhere

 

[zhanx]

stayflow, heck any place that carries it will be able to hook you up with some.. as a side note.. i have in the past and just recently used the standard soft solder on small joint and small holes, the rule i use is the head of a 1/4 screw. if its bigger than that i use silver, if not then soft.. depending on the case of course

 

[vstoval]

Sil-Fos is another brand... Any refridgeration co. stocks it. You can get a new condensor off ebay for about $100.

 

[Glacier991]

My experience with Sil-fos has not been all that great... takes more heat than you might expect... it's more of a brazing rod really.

 

[Longjohn119]

I've used JB Weld for **temporary** condensor and evap repairs in emergency situations (commercial HVAC) on aluminum lines but I wouldn't recommend it as a permanent solution ...

If it's copper line then try some Stay Brite #8 which you can get in 1 oz quantity for under 10 bucks (Probably around 5 bucks) and it solders about like regular plumbing solder ... silver bearing stick would be a better repair but not if you don't have any experience using it ... you can bridge a good sized hole with it if you know what you are doing though but you need a good amount of **controlled** heat

 

[Glacier991]

THERE YA GO !!!! Sta-Brite #8!! That's IT !!! TY LongJohn!