Radiator repair

[Notagoodmechanic]

I put a hole in the bottom of my radiator, perhaps the size of a quarter. New from LS is $517.35 plus tax. Would it be possible to fix it somehow, maybe fiber glass? Any suggestion?

Edit: This is not the plastic overflow bottle, it the bottom of tha radiator and will be under pressure. Thanks.

 

[Egon]

What’s the radiator made of?

 

[Industrial Toys]

Yes, what's it made of? Bottom? You mean tank or damaged the core?. Tank if it's metal could be easy. TIG probably if it's aluminum and solder if if brass or copper. Plastic? Maybe plastic welding.

 

[Notagoodmechanic]

It痴 the bottom tank, plastic. I値l probably have to take it to a radia tor shop, about an hours drive away. I螢 rather patch it somehow, but I don遞 know if it would hold or what to use.

 

[Topzide]

If it were mine, I'd give ol' JB weld a try on the repair. Get everything good and clean, scuff up the smooth surface. Apply to the edge to bond and then build layer over the edge. Let it set up a day or two. $10 is worth the shot. You never know, could out last the tractor. Seen some repairs done that I wouldn't have thought would have worked.

 

[number two]

Check out Rapid-Fix.

Good Luck!

 

[jaxs]

The key to succesful repair is begin by identifying the type plastic (there are many) then choosing correct material for that sprcific plastic.
JB Weld has been mentioned and that might be a good choice but within the JB Weld line of products,choose one that matches the tank material.

 

[Topzide]

That looks like what I've been doing with super glue and baking soda! That could work also. Just put super glue and then pour some baking soda onto exposed glue to make a super hard fix.

 

[RoyKing]

A Plastic epoxy it has some MEK in it. Still need to sand the area. Take q-tip and some PVC pipe cleaner and see it will dissolve the glossy surface. An ABS welder mike be able to fix it. Somebody who fixes plastic car bumpers.

 

[Egon]

Work one or two aluminum strips into the hole and epoxy and screws (pop rivets ) to hold in place. Then build up the outside with epoxy and Fibreglass that extends well past the hole.
Drill a hole and use a screw on the aluminum strips to hold them when drilling the holes to hold them in place.