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radiator plastic...

spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
edited January 2017 in General Discussion
have a fine crack about 3" long horizontal on the backside of the top piece below the radiator cap..is it possible to heat this with a soldering gun and melt it back together or heat a piece over it ..any way to fix this in place ????...sealer slowed but did not stop it...thanx
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Comments

  • remingtonoaksremingtonoaks Member Posts: 26,245 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes. But you need another piece of plastic to use as a welding rod of same composition
    Or you can cold weld it with a solvent that will melt it along with a like piece of plastic for the patch. Acetone will work on 90% of plastic. Also plumbers abs/pvc glue will work. Cold welding plastic is the same process as glueing pic/abs pipe
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  • AlpineAlpine Member Posts: 15,092 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Plastic welding, but you would have to know what kind of plastic it is.

    Replace if you want a reliable transport vehicle.
    ?The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.?
    Margaret Thatcher

    "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
    Mark Twain
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  • LesWVaLesWVa Member Posts: 10,490 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The radiator is most likely Urethane and takes Nylon to weld them.

    I would not trust melting it back together using just a soldering iron. It could make the area thin and likely to break/bust out a larger area.

    Plastic Radiator Tank Repair Kits can be bought that comes with a nylon rod. They are similar to a hot glue gun and easy to use.

    I have a Urethane Supply brand one that cost around $50 a few years ago. It is made like a soldering iron with a hole in the head that melts the rod for welding..

    Tips..
    Make sure that the coolant is below the crack.
    Clean the area good to remove any coolant residue.
    It is best to heat the area carefully around the damaged area with a propane torch or heat gun before any repair is made. The area will become shinny when it is hot enough.
    =====

    Found one like I have. Also should add that the heads on these are threaded and can be changed to different type of heads.

    http://www.autotoolworld.com/Urethane-Supply-5212-Plstc-Radiator-Tank-Rpr-Kit-WNylon-Rod_p_217902.html
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  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Radiator is cheap compared to being stranded and having to repair it by some one you do not know.
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  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by grumpygy
    Radiator is cheap compared to being stranded and having to repair it by some one you do not know.


    ^^^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Get a metal radiator. The stop leak will work in it.

    [;)]
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  • 1911a1-fan1911a1-fan Member Posts: 51,193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    http://www.jbweld.com/collections/epoxy-adhesives/products/plasticweld-syringe
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  • spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    replace... found price rock auto $60+, ebay $90+...check local napa mon morn....do it rite...easier do with the lift ..
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  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My Jeep had a plastic top and Bottom. Got plugged up Radiator shop would not touch it. But found me a great all metal one for a great price..
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  • jerrywh818jerrywh818 Member Posts: 2,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Clean that off very well and use JB weld. JB weld will hold it forever. I fixed a lot of them that way and also some air condition condensers.
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  • Horse Plains DrifterHorse Plains Drifter Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 40,170 ***** Forums Admin
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by grumpygy
    Radiator is cheap compared to being stranded and having to repair it by some one you do not know.
    Yes, and you can add in cooking the engine down when it decides to let go.
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  • Ditch-RunnerDitch-Runner Member Posts: 25,310 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    they have become cheaper to replace last couple I did ( one mine one a friends ) just bought new ( most likely Chinese like all the other parts ) for Chevy trucks under 100.00 with shipping put new hoses and thermostats good to "go for a long time Joe [:D] "


    the radiator shops only had two left at that time about 35 miles apart both closed years ago .
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  • jerrywh818jerrywh818 Member Posts: 2,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Last ones I bought were made in Mexico. Stop leak will just plug up the heater core. Then you will need it also. I had a auto repair shop from 1972 until 2002.
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  • 4205raymond4205raymond Member Posts: 3,354 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by jerrywh818
    Clean that off very well and use JB weld. JB weld will hold it forever. I fixed a lot of them that way and also some air condition condensers.
    +1,best fix
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  • 320090T320090T Member Posts: 2,715 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Fix it and when you least expect it........boom! Replace it and be done. Used to be a place here in town that would replace the plastic tank but had trouble with the seals so he gave it up.
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  • mjrfd99mjrfd99 Member Posts: 4,553 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by 4205raymond
    quote:Originally posted by jerrywh818
    Clean that off very well and use JB weld. JB weld will hold it forever. I fixed a lot of them that way and also some air condition condensers.
    +1,best fix


    Definitely the cheapest fix, the stuff works.
    IMO replace radiator- I would because I travel a lot.
    BUT JB Weld has fixed/held my pool pump cracks for 5 years so far.
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  • gartmangartman Member Posts: 660 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Fixed one once with JB Weld and an aluminum patch on top made from a beer can. Lasted for a number of years.
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  • kidthatsirishkidthatsirish Member Posts: 6,983 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jb weld can fix this. My buddy had the same thing happen to his pickup. Replacement radiator was 400 bucks! We used jbweld and it's still on the road today...that was about 6 years ago.

    We drained it, sprayed it with brake clean, did multiple layers over a two day period. Refilled and drove.
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  • buddybbuddyb Member Posts: 5,386 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have tried everything most things don't work and what does work did not work well.Like someone else said,if its a good car,replace the radiator.
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  • jerrywh818jerrywh818 Member Posts: 2,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Some air condition condensers have a presser as high as 250 psi on hot days. I have fixed them with JB weld and they lasted for years. I also fixed a lot of gas tank leaks with it and water tanks on Travel trailers. All you need to do is get it real clean beforehand. I usually cleaned it with acetone and then sand blasted it. Sanding would work as well. I was a mechanic for 45 years and worked for Ford GM and AMC the first 13 years, Then had my own shop. Specialized in Electrical and Air condition. JB weld is great stuff when you can't weld or solder. It will hold as long as the temp. doesn't exceed about 400? they say 500? but I wouldn't push it that far. I still keep it on hand all the time.
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  • spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    checked rock auto and ebay ..specs said #---- checked napa and measurements and it has the #---- for the V6 while it is a four..$150 from them and checked after delivery in morn to see if it is perfect ...better than take a chance on ship damage and wrong fit..got old one out in about 3 hrs chinee puzzle with the minimum take apart...new one here tomorrow morn and should have it in before cold blast hits...lots of good info guys ...thanx
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