Radiator crack...

davew833 · #1 07-26-2012, 07:50 PM

Anyone had any luck patching the inevitable crack that appears on original radiators under the filler neck after a while? I've heard epoxy, JB weld, etc., but is there any trick to the application to make it work better/hold longer?

Hocrest · #2 07-26-2012, 07:54 PM

drill a small hole at each end of the crack to hopefully stop it from continuing to spread. Prep the surface by sanding to give whatever your using something to bite on to.

benebob · #3 07-26-2012, 08:30 PM

What Dave said plus replace that upper rad hose and check your motor mounts for excessive play.

SVX8588 · #4 07-26-2012, 08:39 PM

JB marine weld works pretty well. I didn't drill holes in mine but I sanded it with like 50 grit sand paper. Lots and lots of sanding. You want it really rough.
Then I used two applications of JB weld. First about 1/8 in thick and the second (sand again beforehand) about 3/8 thick on top of the first layer. Basically I filled up the indentation in the plastic radiator top to make it have a square corner.
It lasted about 6 months until I bought my aluminum radiator, so I was pretty happy with it. Make sure to let the JB weld cure for long enough.

Blacky · #5 07-26-2012, 09:04 PM

Or bite the bullet and buy a new one for $131.80 shipped.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1992-93-94-9...m=120837762868

kwren · #6 07-26-2012, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blacky

Or bite the bullet and buy a new one for $131.80 shipped.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1992-93-94-9...m=120837762868

Lots of things can happen when your car goes down the road and your coolant doesn't go with it and none of them are good. Since any patching is temporary... Get yourself a new Radiator.

Keith