Can caps be ruined by too much heat from Solder?

[dmitry100]

Hi,

I have a bunch of caps that I think I might of ruined by applying too much heat for too long while soldering.

Can caps be ruined by heat like this? Any way to find out if they are bad without finding out later once they are being run on a setup?

[Mxkid261]

I'm curious about this. I thought about it the other month when removing the 2 caps from the battery wires on a T-180, they got hot as sh!t... I was waiting for one to pop Lol

[kfxguy]

Yes. When in doubt, swap them out. You should not have to apply heat for long at all if your using correct techniques and the correct soldering iron.

[oscarel]

Heat is heat.

[JohnZ]

Any component can be ruined by too much heat. I've seen resistors burned up and caps drooling out the oil between the foil layers, microprocessors and transistors ruined and even circuit boards damaged from applying too much heat for too long.
The best method when in doubt is to attach a pair of forceps or similar tool to the leads. I bought some spring clips that were made for that purpose at Radio Shaft once. They work as they were intended.
I used to repair electronics for Chrysler and had to use hot air desoldering and soldering equipment ....if you think a soldering pencil was tough, try using these. Can be very tricky. You can raise the traces off boards in a thrice if not careful and some radio manufacturers actually used a vinyl surface application with the traces and feed throughs etched into it. Then was attached to the board substrate. Goofy but it worked.