Radiator plastic repair

[areid]

If you view the Polyvance video, it shows making some major repairs, then testing at working temp afterward. What did concern me is that their process involves heating to a fairly tight range, melting and adding material like welding. The result is quite impressive but if I were to try, I’d like to try on a test sample first. Finding a junk radiator should not be hard as Denso supplies to Toyota, Honda, Ford, Caterpillar, and others.

I watched that video and looked around but no one here (Canada) seems to sell it. Was not willing to order it as it would take a long time to get most likely.

 

[areid]

I repaired a crack in the upper tank of a radiator on a JD mower that had been damaged that I picked up for free at a shop. I ground out the crack a little and roughed up the surrounding area, them patched it with JB Weld. Bend holding leak free for 20 years.

Awesome to hear!

 

[areid]

Are there any radiator shops around who could make you an old fashion brass radiator?

I wonder how much that would cost?

I had a guy offer to do that but couldn't find the right rad so far to rebuild one. I'm hoping my repair holds and I won't need another one.

 

[priberc]

Are there any radiator shops around who could make you an old fashion brass radiator?

I wonder how much that would cost?

My best guess for cost......heart stoppage is likely...... eye watering at best

 

[deberha2]

I used JB weld on a crack in a Jeep Liberty radiator. Held for years and eventually the car got stolen. You should be good.

 

[Smokeydog]

Has anyone switched to waterless coolant? My understanding it does not wear out, corrode or require pressure. Might help with plastic radiators?

 

[areid]

Has anyone switched to waterless coolant? My understanding it does not wear out, corrode or require pressure. Might help with plastic radiators?

Never heard of it.

 

[Smokeydog]

EVANS COOLANT

The Solution to boilover and corrosion. Preventing Engine Overheating. Evans waterless coolants offer several benefits to save you money, time and engine wear.

www.evanscoolant.com

Common in industrial applications, racing, and collectible cars. Jay Leno says that’s the first thing they do when gets new a vehicle.

Never done it. Over time it may be cost effective. Parts, maintenance and labor are getting ridiculously expensive.

 

[Greenfield Dave]

Broke mine 10+ years ago. JB Weld fixed it so far.

 

[Boss 302]

I have used JB Weld to successfully repair radiator tanks also however, I attempted the same repair as the OP with JB Weld and it failed. Problem is the stress that is induced by the movement of the radiator while operating.

 

[AnotherBueller]

I dont know if that can be repaired or not but what Ican tell you is the PA66 - GF25 tells you that the plastic is polyamide 66 (aka nylon 66) with glass fiber reinforcement at 25 percent its nothing special. If you were to do a repair you would need that same material and a plastic repair iron that can melt it together. You will need to melt the new material into the old material to get a strong bond. With how much a new radiator costs its worth a try even if it fails. Go on youtube and look at videos of plastic radiator repair and even just plastic welding repair videos the basic process will be the same. I believe harbor freight sells a plastic weld kit really cheap. Jb weld may work too but i think welding would be a better repair.

Most auto body shops can do plastic welding. I'd check with one brfor paying that kind of money.

 

[eddieirvine]

Jb weld will fix it i used it on gasoline tank repairs and worked just fine

 

[Boss 302]

Eddie, we discussed the JB Weld route and discovered that some people have already tried this avenue and it failed. The epoxy route doesn't hold up to the pressure and twisting that happens on the radiator mounting posts.

 

[dirttoys]

Only thinking out loud.

I think you can fix the radiator with JB or plastic welding if it is prepped correctly and you take the stress off of it.

If it were me (have not seen a utube or heard of anyone else): 1 grind off the pin 2 clean/prep repair the hole. 3. fashion a metal strain relief clamp 4 add a metal pin for the mount to the clamp. 5 Install and hope for the best, watch the temp gauge.

Best,

ed