Glad you got the thing fixed and the bulged caps are a frequent failure device. The lead-free thing is from July 2006. That was when all consumer type electronics that were sold in the EU had to be basically lead-free. Companies began to ramp-up to lead-free about a year before that, perhaps earlier.. Probably 3/4 of the boards we build are now lead-free. Much of the cables are also.

I just checked the lead-free area and the irons we use are the OKI/Metcal Smartheat PS-800 and PS-900. Also Weller WES51 an EC1002, both adjustable temperature units. I think one of the latter is a 40 watt iron for handling connectors, etc.

The advice to add leaded solder to lead-free will work well for the repair stuff you did, but we can't because all stuff going to the EU must be certified to be within their requirements (lead-free).

Paul