Anyone good with cars. I need McGyver

[ladywithafan]

Ok, here is a question. I have an 88 Honda CRX and the radiator cracked on top the other day. It is a hairline crack that is like 2 inches across. I really don't feel like spending 130 dollars on a new one, so I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions. I tried to put a glue on it,but it gets so hot that it just bubbles out. Somebody suggested muffler tape. I just need the car for a few more months so I can buy a new car. So if anybody has any good ideas please send them my way. Thank you.

[treehugger]

Don't want to get accused of spam by posting a brand name...but I have heard some of the guys I work with have used JB Weld on their radiators:


And, no, I don't work for the company, LOL



Kath

[toman]

I've worked on cars all my life, so I might be able to help. :D I'm assuming this top tank on the radiator is plastic? If it's metal, a radiator shop should be able to weld it, I would think. If it's plastic, you're pretty much screwed unless you figure out a way to jury-rig it. My first suggestion on that would be to try one of the thick radiator sealants available at auto parts stores to seal it from the inside, and a nice bead of a two part epoxy on the outside. Be sure to clean the outside really well before applying the epoxy; use something like laquer thinner. I'd say if these two methods don't work when used together, it's off to the u-pull-it for a second hand radiator. Have fun! :cheers:

[WillP]

Don't want to get accused of spam by posting a brand name...but I have heard some of the guys I work with have used JB Weld on their radiators:


And, no, I don't work for the company, LOL



Kath
I was going to say the same thing

[ShaDoW]

You can get radiater repair kits at auto parts stores, could be that jb weld stuff, they come with a sort of fiberglass screen and a two part epoxy. The radiater must be thoroughly cleaned b4 applying the stuff, just like toman said. My old car that sadly broke down in january had gotten a crack in the radiater cause of a car accident and that is how i repaired it.
good luck :)

[toman]

Very good point; a small piece of fiberglass cloth along with some epoxy resin would be even better than just the epoxy.

[Unkle_John]

I was going to say the same thing

As was I.
JB Weld also makes a product you can put on items that contain water, like pipes and stuff. Worked good when I used it to fix a leaky pipe to sell a house.

[ladywithafan]

Ok, I am going to auto zone with my list of possibilities from this board :) So all I do is pour coolant/water in my radiator after I fix the outside of the radiator, warm it up, and then pour that stuff in the radiator so that it bonds the inside crack? If that is all I think I can handle it! Thank you all for the suggestions, if you have any other ones just post away in case the first one doesn't work.

[toman]

Yup, just make sure the epoxy or whatever you put onthe outside is all set up before you start up the car; give it a few days just to be safe.

[Unkle_John]

Wait.. if you radiator is leaking other than the crack on the outside, you may want to look into a product called "bars leak". It will help in your hoses and stuff. if it's the radiator housing itself then try JB weld.

If that doesn't work, try a junk yard for a used radiator.