Radiator sealent?

[dmw16]

Is there such a thing? Here is my problem. I have a very small, sliver of a crack in plastic on top of my radiator. I really cant afford the $200 to have it fixed and the the car is drivable with the crack so long as I keep an eye on the temp gauge and fluid levels. But is there something I can use to fix that crack? Either temp proof epoxy over top or some sort of sealent I can pour into the radiator itself?
thanks,
-doug

 

[FrustratedUser]

Epoxy of some kind should do the trick.
The stuff you add to the coolant will also seal the leak but it will also seal pretty much everything else ---> major disaster. use that method as a very temporary solution.

 

[flot]

The $0.99 sealant that looks like dirt/pepper is amazing stuff.

Or, for $3.99 get a can of prestone radiator sealent. One kind has a solid in it, the other is all liquid. STart with the non-solid kind, if that doesn't work go to the one with "dissolving pellets" or whatever they're called.

Either will work wonders. To seal it forever, put some of the above in, let it do its magic, then putty it up with some JB Weld. As long as you have the sense to watch your gauges, you can use one of the above products for years.

Edit: Frustrated: Have you ever used the pour-in sealants?? I had a leak in my first car for 6 years and I used that stuff exclusively. Even through radiator flushes etc, if the leak sprung up again, put more in. If you follow the directions (pour it in and then drive around for 10-15 mins) it is not really harmful, it disperses well. I wouldn't recommend going overboard and pouring it in every 2 months but it'll do the trick. Also, my Nissan dealer would thrown in some of the liquid based prestone with every coolant flush they did on older cars, I asked them about it and they said they never, ever had problems with it and that it was cheap insurance.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Yes I have tried it. The car ran a lot hotter after that. Maybe just my bad luck.
I'll stay away from the stuff for now.

 

[Tominator]

If the crack is accessable, I'd try somekind of patch. Heat is the problem. It expands and contracts and materials used as a patch do so at a different rate and they come loose.

The sealant that you poor in is designed for brass and not plastic. I would be surprised if it works.

If I were you, I'd try both as you can't hurt anything. Get a name brand slow drying epoxy. Clean the area with paint thinner or alcohol after ruffing up the area with fine sandpaper. Use a blowdryer to get the area perfectly dry. Follow the instructions.

Remember though, if it fails completely the resulting bill to fix what overheating can damage is many more times $200!

 

[EagleKeeper]

Check into buying a radiator. They are not that difficult to install and may save plenty of worry and hassle.

If you can not seal the problem up and have to address the problem more than a couple of weeks at a time, replace the radiator or take it to a shop to repair it for you.

 

[ViperXX]

There is a handy dandy product out there called Liquid Weld. I punched a hole in my power steering pump by accident. I applied the Liquid weld over the hole and 8 years later it's still holding.