Glue for cracked plastic header tank on radiator?

[white trash wagon]

Anyone tried a glue for a cracked plastic header tank on a radiator? Got a little crack right at the top. It's in a clean, flat area with lots of surface area.

I was thinking one of those steel reinforced epoxies?

[BlackGT]

Epoxy is your best bet...

[FastFox]

Crack in plastic radiator

I fixed a crack in a Porsche 928 radiator with an epoxy that came from an appliance repair shop. The epoxy was designed for dishwasher tubs, and it was formulated to stand the hot water. I ran it for years with no problems. JB weld might work, but not sure about the heat issue. However, I have sealed holes up in small engine blocks when they threw a rod. Clean the area well with acetone scuff it a little with sandpaper and place a small piece of screen wire over the crack.

[4.6coupe]

Screenwire=rebar

[white trash wagon]

I bought an epoxy based glue made especially for radiators at O'Reilly's . I'll use it Wed-Thur when it's warmer out. The kit included some fiberglass cloth

[JC316]

I blew the radiator in a car I was bringing home from auction. I used quiksteel over the primary crack, let that dry, then I used a 5 minute set time epoxy on top of it. It held fine for the drive home, but I wouldn't trust it.

If you want something that you know is going to last, get some Marine Tex. Takes a while to set up, but once it does, it wont leak or let go. I have heard of people repairing cracked engine blocks with the stuff and since it's designed for marine use, it can take water.

[white trash wagon]

I went ahead used the stuff from O'Reilly's. You have to drill small holes at each end of the crack, cut a grove where the crack is (I used a dremel tool), rough it up with sandpaper. I scrubed it with lacquer thinner too.

Then you mix the 2 parts, put down a layer of the glue, and then the fiberglass cloth, then top the cloth with a thick layer of glue. Dried hard in 15 minutes.


I'l fire it up tomorrow & see what happens.

[white trash wagon]

No leaks so far, we will see. But for now I'm carrying a couple of gallon jugs of water with me ! But I would not do this to a daily driver

I'll probably go ahead and order a radiator from Rock Auto, it's $110.

[FastFox]

I'd bet the repair will last as long as the car. I ran the one I did for years with no problem.

[jyro]

http://www.techchoiceparts.com/ListItems.aspx
call here for the radiator


example http://www.techchoiceparts.com/Showi...0Radiator.aspx

[white trash wagon]

[QUOTE=jyro;1015785]http://www.techchoiceparts.com/ListItems.aspx
call here for the radiator


$103.91 on there

[jyro]

they will also let you pick it up there, save shipping

[quote=white trash wagon;1016103]

http://www.techchoiceparts.com/ListItems.aspx
call here for the radiator


$103.91 on there

I deer hunt with the owner

[white trash wagon]

The glue held for 3 weeks. Got the $105 radiator from Rockauto.com. The swap was a 20 minute cake walk.