can i patch a hole in my cooling system?

My windstar is leaking what seems to be antifreeze. It's definitely part of the cooling system because i traced the pipe back to the coolant reservoir (with a few splits and splices along the way). It's a hole the size of a pin prick and it occurs in a metal part of the tubing. (if it was rubber it'd be so much easier).

Is it feasible to just patch this small, tiny hole? To remove the whole pipe, all the pipes involved and everything in the way is beyond my skill and budget.

Any help anyone can give is appreciated

If its the right metal it can be soldered. But thats a patch..Must be cleaned like it were new, and the labor is as much as the new part. My area has a radiator shop that can do these kinda repairs. Most of that work is older Historic cars that have more valve in the orginal parts then aftermarket stuff. In your case, The best thing to do its get this part from ford.

I would not put any chemicals "fix Leak etc" in a ford windstar cooling system, because some pipes are very small and they may clog.

Take a look at this thread, which includes pictures:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=772069&highlight=pinhole

In a pinch I've done the following. Find a piece of rubber hose that has an inside diameter that is the same size as the outside diameter of the tubing that has the leak. Cut a piece about an inch long then slit lengthwise and install over leak with the slit 180 degrees from pin hole. Clamp securely with a hose clamp, preferably right over the pinhole. You could also apply some RTV before clamping. Don't know if that will work in your situation, used this method to stop a pinhole leak in a power steering line until I was able to replace line.

In a pinch I've done the following. Find a piece of rubber hose that has an inside diameter that is the same size as the outside diameter of the tubing that has the leak. Cut a piece about an inch long then slit lengthwise and install over leak with the slit 180 degrees from pin hole. Clamp securely with a hose clamp, preferably right over the pinhole. You could also apply some RTV before clamping. Don't know if that will work in your situation, used this method to stop a pinhole leak in a power steering line until I was able to replace line.

16psi is pretty high, Ever try to hold back a air blower at low psi? It may work and may not.. I guess you could get some JB weld and let it setup overnight with the Cut hose on top of the weld. That may work, and May not.... That part is like 30ish I think..

I was actually going to suggest it myself. It should work as it is a common plumber's repair on leaking pipes, though some may consider it only temporary. Nevertheless, I have done that repair with EXACTLY the same parts on my copper water lines. I have soldered holes like that before on copper pipes, etc, and I just wasn't in the mood to deal with it, so I slapped on of those on it and it has lasted 4 years or more maybe. I have my own well water that goes from 30 to 50+ psi and still holds. I'd notice if it starts to leak again and I'd expect you'd notice the coolant leaking at the repair too. Well, that's what I'd do and that's my :2cents:. :D

I was actually going to suggest it myself. It should work as it is a common plumber's repair on leaking pipes, though some may consider it only temporary. Nevertheless, I have done that repair with EXACTLY the same parts on my copper water lines. I have soldered holes like that before on copper pipes, etc, and I just wasn't in the mood to deal with it, so I slapped on of those on it and it has lasted 4 years or more maybe. I have my own well water that goes from 30 to 50+ psi and still holds. I'd notice if it starts to leak again and I'd expect you'd notice the coolant leaking at the repair too. Well, that's what I'd do and that's my :2cents:. :D
Ditto...! I've done it my self many times with success