I was skeptical of this working, I figured I couldn't break it anymore. Drove to work this morning and it seems to be holding, so far so good. Thanks for the video, and prolonging my sanity.
kenneth subala Hi Kenneth, glad to hear that it is holding so far and hopefully it continues to do so for you. LOL, when you are in a jam, you just have to do what you have to do and at least you still have your sanity. The JB Weld works great!! If you ever have any problems or need help with anything, just let me know.
I did this used JB weld plastic epoxy so far so good. Did it on a 2003 Jeep Liberty Limited with a 3.7l 4x4 and it had the crack on the drivers side almost on the side of the plastic tank that is where all the liberty radiators crack at. Thank you for the video wasn't sure it would work at first but am glad that it did until I can get a new radiator but will for sure keep the old radiator as a spare once I get a new one. I gooped the epoxy on pretty thick and let it sit for 24 hours.
thanks so much! appreciate your video and response! going to try tomorrow. p.s. thanks for getting to the point and not clogging the video with useless chatter 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
It's better to use an applicator stick to apply one layer at a time. Let each layer set before applying again and you will get a thicker, stronger seal. Also the applicator stick will prevent glue from getting in unwanted places. I applied a steel enforced putty over top the plastic weld and another layer plastic weld over the putty.. uber strong.
Thanks a million....I will be doing this tonight. The fan broke on my Jag and hit the outside of my radiator, double whammy. Your video is gonna save me much dinero. Thanks again.
It wasn’t addressed in the video but you should drain your coolant below where you’re patching. The anti freeze will affect the ability of any epoxy to make a bond.
Thanks Bro. How long will it last? I'm going to fix my elderly friend's car who has a leak just like this. She was crying because mechanics want $400.00 for a new radiator and she doesn't have the money. Thanks Man. Really appreciate this.
I'm trying it right now as I'm typing. It's very hot! But we'll see the results! Hopefully this will work. It'll be a lifesaver until I can buy a radiator. I'll post my results later. Thanks for the video.
Andy Landis yes it's crazy how many of the Cavaliers and sunfires have been affected in the same exact spot but good luck fixing it and the epoxy will hold it
Thank you CarMan for you excellent tutorial. I had a pinhole leak in the radiator in my 06 Jeep Liberty (discovered it when my heater stopped working). I took it to a chain and a local repair shop. Both said the radiator had to be replaced at a cost of between $600-$750. Being handy I decided to give your method a try. Found the Loctite 5 minute plastic epoxy at Home Depot. Cleaned the leak area it with acetone and used sandpaper to roughen up the area a bit. The epoxy worked great...not a sign of any leak. I've driven the car about 1000 miles since than, I keep checking my antifreeze level, all good. Thank you so much. How long do you think it will hold up? Jeff
Jeff Wilson hi Jeff you know I've used this time in time and time again and it seems to always outlast the radiator so I wouldn't worry about it I think the rest of the radiator will give out before it does. and you know I don't know what they put in it but I swear to god it's twice as good as the JB Weld stuff at holding plastic cracks
One more reason to buy all aluminum radiators, preferably dual core at least. A crack can be fixed with aluminum flux and propane torch, seal is much stronger and will last longer, hence why they are more expensive. Its one of those things worth paying more money for because of the pressure, heat and stress they endure over time.
Acetone, doggone. I cleaned my repair with denatured alcohol. One of the tabs on the neck had a section snap off. Managed to save most of it and glued it back . If it does not fix it, will have to come up with a plan B. Perhaps use one of those rubber freeze plugs.
Hey, Jamie, you're the man! Thanks for that easy and cheap fix for radiator leakage! I sure can use it for my Mazda 626, as I got a crack plastic as well! Cheers!
Down to earth repairs. If you have a flat surface to repair I have found that applying a patch sized cutout of screen into the epoxy helps hold it together and the epoxy won’t spread too far before it cures.
I have no doubt that your fix will work but you put so much epoxy on it that much of it just ran down away from the crack. I would have used just enough to cover the crack, waited for it to start setting up and then put more on. I would have done this several times and then put a patch, probably a piece of beer can, on the top.
+Justus Player it does hold up and you can use JB Weld also and there's actually another person who was sharing the Permatex radiator patch a lot of that stuff works out real good
+JamieJones TheCarMan OK, Permatex seems me secure but the other products ... are you not worried about a to low flashpoint? I couldn't fund the exact flashpoint from Epoxy. I live in Panama-City / Panama and hope I can get what I need.
+JamieJones TheCarMan A friend of mine, a typically US Car fanatics (4 cars) wrote me today that he used also Epoxy-Mill on his Isuzu. It did last for year's.
I have a little coolant bubbling from where the plastic meets the metal. Will this epoxy also stick to the aluminum...I do have a tiny hair line crack also on the plastic tank in a different spot, but only about an inch from the seem leak....Thanks...(It's on an older 1989 BMW 535i)....Good video....Phil
seems like welding with same plastic may be better then put epoxy over- I am in th midst of doing my subaru- I already cut the spring 1/2 in back in the rad cap to lower the pressure- 16 lb is too high I think and will make for less flexing- so shooting for around 10/12 Mine is hard to get at it seems so may have to pull the rad Thnx for your honesty there car man!
+J Moore air plastic weld is definitely way better but they've got some other products out there too if you get a chance swing by the parts store that could make it pretty simple
The thin liquid 2 part epoxy did not hold up. I had better luck with the marine putty epoxy stick. U can put that stuff on super thick. It definitely is not a pretty repair though haha
I have a horizontal style crack in the plastic part of the radiator (top) that is very close to the metal seam. I use Bars Leak carbon fiber goo yesterday to get home. If I can reach the crack do you think this method will work ? 05 Honda Element
S.P. Price Hey there, with it being that close to the seam, I'm not sure if you can get enough bite to make it hold but you can use JB Weld Quick Weld and it sets in about 5 minutes and cures overnight. If you get a little bit of JB Weld on the metal, it will help it stick. Please let me know how that turns out for you. I'd be very interested in seeing how it did for you.
A'Tavia Tatiana, it would be worth a shot but you would need to know where the leak is at and there are a few steps you need to take to ensure that it seals properly.
Wouldn't it be better if you drained the radiator so the epoxy would get deeper into the crack or doesn't it matter? I have same problem in exactly same place.
The problem with fixing these plastic tanks is the fact that you have water, heat, and pressure, all involved. Whatever you use, it has to be water proof, it has to be able to withstand the high temperature. It has to be able to hold back the pressure in your radiator (whatever PSI your radiator cap is) AND it has to be able to flex WITH the plastic radiator as the temperature goes up and down repeatedly. Not only that, but as the video states, the crack will spread. What you see on the surface might just be the tip of the ice burg. You might have a much LARGER crack on the inside of the radiator which is preparing to breach the surface. Finally to make matters worse, these radiators with the plastic housing are just NOT MADE TO LAST. If they were we wouldn't have to repair them all the time. As time goes by and the temperature of the plastic housing goes up and down, the plastic will actually BAKE and HARDEN becoming more and more BRITTLE over time. Most of the time when you have a crack on one part, the WHOLE THING is going to be brittle in multiple places due to the baking effect. Eventually the heat and vibration of the engine will destroy the radiator housing. The people who suggest to completely replace these things are absolutely correct. Any "Fix" or "Repair" is going to be a temporary solution. If all you need is to get your vehicle running on a limited budget, an epoxy fix like this will get you rolling... for now. But if you can afford the time and money to replace the entire thing, I highly suggest you do it. It's also recommended to have the vehicle's engine cooling system thoroughly checked, since other problems may have caused your radiator housing to fail prematurely. Check and make sure that you are not past-due on an oil change and the dipstick reads the correct level. Also check your radiator cap, since a normally functioning cap is supposed to release pressure into the reserve tank when it builds up too high. A failing cap can cause unnecessarily high pressure and temperatures. Check your motor mounts to make sure they are in working condition since excessive vibration can lead to many engine problems. Any time you over heat your vehicle or let it run low on coolant, there's a chance that the thermostat will fail which will cause even more problems. The thermostat is a cheap part, and if you're going to be working on the vehicle, you may as well change the thermostat out too, just to be sure.
Cut the bar between the two plungers on the epoxy container. This will allow the epoxy and catylist to be dispensed in equal small amounts (never seems to work out equal when plunger is pushed with bar connected). Squeeze out amount needed, do not touch the tips of the tubes to the other product or it will start the cure process at the tube ends. Mix small amounts and apply several coats as needed. Put the cap on the tube ends, place the dispenser and the package (so you know what it is in the future) in a zip top freezer bag so it all stays together and store where ever you keep your adhesives. Have had it last for months that way. The excess dripped all over everywhere is just a waste, does no good for the work, looks messy and unprofessional.
Thanks for the video. Will this be a short time fix for the radiator which will need to be replaced sooner then later, or could this repair prolong the life of the radiator for many months/years.
its a permanent fix it will last for the life of the radiator if you need any help with it just let me know and when you get ready to do it the key to making it successful is just taking time to clean it and rub it with sandpaper so it really gets a nice tight bond
Jamie - One point I wanted to ask you, I have a crack on my upper plastic radiator ('94 Honda Accord Ex) - near top hose. My dad tried Steel Quick but it didn't last. I want to try what you did but have a question. Should I run the engine and make the radiator hot before applying glue so that the expansion, shrinkage issue in cold weather isn't an issue - any thoughts..?
Hey bud, I gotta 99 s10 with a small crack up top passenger side in the plastic. Easy to get to, and I think this would work a treat even though a new rad is only $115, but I wanna try this first. My question is, do I need to drain the rad first, will the glue seep inside the crack and mix with my coolant?
Ryan Lee Hi Ryan, sorry for the delay. Absolutely no, it will not seep inside. Hairline cracks tend not to open until they come under pressure. Also, you can use JB Weld Quickset which is very strong as well. It all comes down to prepping the surface so make sure that you do a really good job with the sanding so that the epoxy has something to adhere to. Let me know if you need any help along the way.
JamieJones TheCarMan Okay, I went out and bought some products, now I am just trying to figure out which to use. I bought Loctite plastic Epoxy just like you use in this video, regular jb weld no quickset, and JB plastic weld which looks exactly like what you are using here, but by JB. I plan on cleaning, sanding, wire brush, and cleaning again. I also plan on applying the epoxy, than a layer of mesh, and another layer of epoxy. What are your thoughts on the JB plastic weld as opposed to the Loctite? Here is a link the the Plastic JB Weld I bought from Wally World. www.amazon.com/J-B-Weld-50132-PlasticWeld-Syringe/dp/B009EU5ZMK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1434511059&sr=8-2&keywords=jb+plastic+weld They also make a Gorilla Glue epoxy. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001Z3C3AG?ref_=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_i Also make a putty, like Quik Steel. Wondering if it would be good to do putty first, than seal it off with the epoxy? Sorry for all the questions man, but I want positive results!
Ryan Lee Hey Ryan, no problem at all. I think for the strongest, longest lasting result, I would go with the JB Weld (the regular one, not the plastic one). Now, the Loctite and/or the JB Weld for plastic are both good products and both will effectively seal the radiator, but I have never seen any outlast the regular JB Weld. As for the Quik Steel, no..don't mix the Quik Steel or anything else with it. Whichever product you choose to use, let it stand alone and do the job itself. Sometimes, if you mix products up it has an adverse effect and they work against each other. Just do a really good job on the sanding and remember that the wider the area you sand, the better the bond will be. One more note, whichever one you end up using, be sure to give it the maximum amount of cure time. Good luck man and if you need anything I'm here. Be sure to let me know how it goes.
I have honda that has plastic at the top of my radiator. It's at the top, and right of the sprout. I repaired with JB plastic welding. Did exactly what he said to do. I have faith it will work for me. the car is pretty old, just need for short runs. Epoxy does wonders for pretty much everything.
+Roberta Westbrooks Tried JB Weld on my plastic rad., did everything it said, cleaned it, roughed it up let it set for 24 hours...it didn't hold first time out. Others have posted that antifreeze will eat right through it. I don't know if that was it or not, but it failed. :(
Rick Ford What's crazy is, I have the same exact small crack, at the same exact place lol! Mine's a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier, and I was gonna get the spare radiator from a buddy of mine, but if this shit works...I've got two good options in that case. lol
Rick Ford Hey Man, LOL..if its a hairline crack next to the metal, I would use the JB Weld QuickSet because it will really get a good bite on the metal. It sets in 5 minutes and fully cures overnight. As for the epoxy glue, it can do about 3500psi and I THINK it can withstand about 500-600 degrees.
Hi. It appears that the plastic has separated from the aluminum on the radiator in my 05 Hyundai. The leak though small is causing the ect sensor to fail and the car to overheat. Will this work for that as a temporary fix? Thanks
Shawn Hobbs Hi Shawn, honestly it sounds like almost a guaranteed radiator replacement. IF its a very small drip, you MAY be able to put some JB Weld on it but its probably not going to hold for very long unfortunately. Is it at the top or the bottom of your radiator?
I have a leak at the bottom of my radiator, I went to the auto store and the guy told me I could try to fix it, but I don't even know where the actual leak is. My car just overheats and I can't drive it, would this help?
Does the Epoxy permanently fix the leak? Also my radiator is currently leaking and leaks more every time I wipe it off. Should I wait for it to dry off, get rid of all coolant and then apply it or it doesn't matter?
Technical specs for the epoxy on Loctite's web site says that the cured epoxy shouldn't be used over 180 degrees. Maybe they're sandbagging the number? Normal radiator temp can be around 200 right? Any comments re: the temperatures involved with this app? Also, what about "fluffing" the epoxy with flocking (ground cotton fibers) for strength? Plastic reservoir on my wife's radiator (Camry) has a 1 cm hairline crack near the top.
It held forever but they actually make a Pirma Tex one that’s made for the radiator these days so I haven’t tried that one yet but I bet it would work just fine too or I’ll tell you something else you could get one of those little cheap plastic welders from Harbor freight fix it to super easy
These plastic radiators are such crap! Might have saved about a thousand bucks between this repair and an exhaust pipe break 'bandage' style repair, for short term exchange of the vehicle at any rate. But Thanks!!
I just looked up the long term exposure for Loctite 5 min epoxy. It's only 120F, 49C. That's not acceptable for a radiator with a thermostat of 180 to 190 degrees F. Plus the temperature environment of the motor. This product will only work short term. I guess it may get you out of a hole.
I Got A Funny Feeling This Guy Eats His Pancakes and Scrambled Eggs in the morning with his Hands also !! 🤣 OMG !! AMAZING THAT THIS IS THE VIDEO GOOGLE CHOOSES FOR PLASTIC RADIATOR REPAIR.. I used to go to UA-cam for things like a Mechanic changing a Water Pump on a Vehicle I wasn't familiar with. Now UA-cam is like Hack Handyman's Version of How NOT to do it Mostly !!
The only way to permanently fix it is replacing it or infusion however this is an emergency repair and will hold until you can fix it properly . Now most plastic epoxy will work ie 3m has one branded for radiator repair . Good luck
Yep, I ended up patching it with JB weld high heat epoxy, in putty form- which I didn't know before buying online. It hardened solid but didn't seal the crack because coolant slowly dripped out from under the patch. I prepped the surface by thoroughly scarring the top of the radiator with a knife. Even gave a one inch margin on all sides of the crack and used all of the putty for a thick patch. DIDN'T WORK WITH JB WELD HIGH HEAT PUTTY ON THIN 3-4 INCH CRACK
I was skeptical of this working, I figured I couldn't break it anymore. Drove to work this morning and it seems to be holding, so far so good. Thanks for the video, and prolonging my sanity.
kenneth subala Hi Kenneth, glad to hear that it is holding so far and hopefully it continues to do so for you. LOL, when you are in a jam, you just have to do what you have to do and at least you still have your sanity. The JB Weld works great!! If you ever have any problems or need help with anything, just let me know.
Permatex plastic radiator weld patch kit.........WORKS EXCELLENT......My repair is over 3 years old and still holding......
+jo smo thank you for the input and yes definitely good stuff
Permatex plastic radiator welder
I did this used JB weld plastic epoxy so far so good. Did it on a 2003 Jeep Liberty Limited with a 3.7l 4x4 and it had the crack on the drivers side almost on the side of the plastic tank that is where all the liberty radiators crack at. Thank you for the video wasn't sure it would work at first but am glad that it did until I can get a new radiator but will for sure keep the old radiator as a spare once I get a new one. I gooped the epoxy on pretty thick and let it sit for 24 hours.
+Tosha Grier awesome man you know JB Weld hold up forever I don't think you'll have any problems with it at all
thanks so much! appreciate your video and response!
going to try tomorrow.
p.s. thanks for getting to the point and not clogging the video with useless chatter 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
It's better to use an applicator stick to apply one layer at a time. Let each layer set before applying again and you will get a thicker, stronger seal. Also the applicator stick will prevent glue from getting in unwanted places. I applied a steel enforced putty over top the plastic weld and another layer plastic weld over the putty.. uber strong.
You actually managed to get some of it on the radiator too ;)
They invented " the brush" what doo ya know, whalaaaa
Classic comment dude so funny.
I did the same thing and used somě fibreglass around the Hole so it was structural.
@@60079regulatorylaw
Fiber glass was my thought too for reinforcement.
Thanks a million....I will be doing this tonight. The fan broke on my Jag and hit the outside of my radiator, double whammy. Your video is gonna save me much dinero. Thanks again.
I'm trying this tomorrow between the part and labor this is going to be my route I take....
Thanks for this. Takes time an energy to make these and saves me soo much time and energy.
+Kevin Merritt glad we could help
When it starts to leak, fix it with J.B Weld. It's amazing.
It wasn’t addressed in the video but you should drain your coolant below where you’re patching. The anti freeze will affect the ability of any epoxy to make a bond.
Thanks for the tutorial on repairing a plastic radiator.
Thanks Bro. How long will it last? I'm going to fix my elderly friend's car who has a leak just like this. She was crying because mechanics want $400.00 for a new radiator and she doesn't have the money. Thanks Man. Really appreciate this.
How is it?
If you take the radiator out it's better it's not messy I did that before nice and neat
I'am Your Newest Subscriber Great Videos
I'm trying it right now as I'm typing. It's very hot! But we'll see the results! Hopefully this will work. It'll be a lifesaver until I can buy a radiator. I'll post my results later. Thanks for the video.
diego rosel Diego, how did it work out for you?
Indeed most helpful video in my case. I discovered this near exact leaking scenario, where a pin hole sized breach radiator fluid, fizzled side mou
Wow, I just diagnosed one of these leaking Sunfires today, with the tank cracked in the same exact spot!
Andy Landis yes it's crazy how many of the Cavaliers and sunfires have been affected in the same exact spot but good luck fixing it and the epoxy will hold it
Thank you CarMan for you excellent tutorial. I had a pinhole leak in the radiator in my 06 Jeep Liberty (discovered it when my heater stopped working). I took it to a chain and a local repair shop. Both said the radiator had to be replaced at a cost of between $600-$750. Being handy I decided to give your method a try. Found the Loctite 5 minute plastic epoxy at Home Depot. Cleaned the leak area it with acetone and used sandpaper to roughen up the area a bit. The epoxy worked great...not a sign of any leak. I've driven the car about 1000 miles since than, I keep checking my antifreeze level, all good. Thank you so much. How long do you think it will hold up? Jeff
Jeff Wilson hi Jeff you know I've used this time in time and time again and it seems to always outlast the radiator so I wouldn't worry about it I think the rest of the radiator will give out before it does. and you know I don't know what they put in it but I swear to god it's twice as good as the JB Weld stuff at holding plastic cracks
@@jamiejonesthecarman which one is better than the JB weld? The loctite?
One more reason to buy all aluminum radiators, preferably dual core at least. A crack can be fixed with aluminum flux and propane torch, seal is much stronger and will last longer, hence why they are more expensive. Its one of those things worth paying more money for because of the pressure, heat and stress they endure over time.
I believe it can cause cancer though.
Acetone, doggone. I cleaned my repair with denatured alcohol. One of the tabs on the neck had a section snap off. Managed to save most of it and glued it back . If it does not fix it, will have to come up with a plan B. Perhaps use one of those rubber freeze plugs.
Thanks bro keep up the good work this video saved me a lot of time and money.
+Ernest Rudolph Glad to hear it man and we appreciate your feedback.
Hey, Jamie, you're the man! Thanks for that easy and cheap fix for radiator leakage! I sure can use it for my Mazda 626, as I got a crack plastic as well! Cheers!
I will definitely be on your channel quite often thanks so much!!!
Down to earth repairs. If you have a flat surface to repair I have found that applying a patch sized cutout of screen into the epoxy helps hold it together and the epoxy won’t spread too far before it cures.
If you get the smallest drll bit you can find,drill topand bottom of where it starts then this. It helps stop the crack from traveling
James Burrow hi James thanks for the tip and thanks for watching ever need help let me know
It failed
James Burrow Hi James, what year, make and model are you dealing with and what type of crack are you trying to seal? How big?
Wait... so Jrbnot gave a tip... then tried Mr MrCarGuys diy fix... and it failed! Bahahahahaha! Oh no! Thats sucks. Hope you guys figured it out!
I did this today after this video hope it holds out
Uptown Photography Thanks for the comment and I haven't tried it on aluminum but I'm pretty sure it would work for you. Ryan, yes it did.
can you give us an update on the radiator since its been almost 3 years
Just put epoxy steel on my intercooler. Put 3 neat layers on the hole. Hope it holds. Will fire it up tomorrow.
I have no doubt that your fix will work but you put so much epoxy on it that much of it just ran down away from the crack. I would have used just enough to cover the crack, waited for it to start setting up and then put more on. I would have done this several times and then put a patch, probably a piece of beer can, on the top.
AWESOME!
You just saved me over 600.00...
Stanley Willis 600 what? Pennies
Did the repair last. I'm about to go try it on my jeep.
Looks good and the process seems me easy but does it still last?
+Justus Player it does hold up and you can use JB Weld also and there's actually another person who was sharing the Permatex radiator patch a lot of that stuff works out real good
+JamieJones TheCarMan OK, Permatex seems me secure but the other products ... are you not worried about a to low flashpoint?
I couldn't fund the exact flashpoint from Epoxy.
I live in Panama-City / Panama and hope I can get what I need.
+JamieJones TheCarMan
A friend of mine, a typically US Car fanatics (4 cars) wrote me today that he used also Epoxy-Mill on his Isuzu. It did last for year's.
I have a little coolant bubbling from where the plastic meets the metal. Will this epoxy also stick to the aluminum...I do have a tiny hair line crack also on the plastic tank in a different spot, but only about an inch from the seem leak....Thanks...(It's on an older 1989 BMW 535i)....Good video....Phil
Hey car man, when you did the hair like crack on the radiator with that apoxy how long do you let it dry ? Plus you're a genius!!
seems like welding with same plastic may be better then put epoxy over- I am in th midst of doing my subaru- I already cut the spring 1/2 in back in the rad cap to lower the pressure- 16 lb is too high I think and will make for less flexing- so shooting for around 10/12 Mine is hard to get at it seems so may have to pull the rad Thnx for your honesty there car man!
+J Moore air plastic weld is definitely way better but they've got some other products out there too if you get a chance swing by the parts store that could make it pretty simple
tanks are nylon.. melt some nylon material like nylon tubing into the crack or hole.
jamie, thanks for video
+Jayson Williams tks glad it helped
awesome video brother. definitely doing this. much easier than replacing the entire assembly. screw that. i subscribed! keep it coming homie. cheers!
+Matt Mayle Thanks for the feedback man and glad to hear that it has helped you out. Thanks for the sub and hope to see you here on the channel often.
OK sir I subscribed for you so keep up the good work and make sure to be safe and keep your fingers so u can keep up your good work 💪
Hell yeah Car Man!!
jb weld works great also
what works better for the top plastic part of the radiator...jb weld or epoxy ?
The thin liquid 2 part epoxy did not hold up. I had better luck with the marine putty epoxy stick. U can put that stuff on super thick. It definitely is not a pretty repair though haha
I have a horizontal style crack in the plastic part of the radiator (top) that is very close to the metal seam. I use Bars Leak carbon fiber goo yesterday to get home. If I can reach the crack do you think this method will work ? 05 Honda Element
S.P. Price Hey there, with it being that close to the seam, I'm not sure if you can get enough bite to make it hold but you can use JB Weld Quick Weld and it sets in about 5 minutes and cures overnight. If you get a little bit of JB Weld on the metal, it will help it stick. Please let me know how that turns out for you. I'd be very interested in seeing how it did for you.
I subscribed big guy and thanks gor the information
Hay car man very cool with the epoxy.
Will that stuff work for filling in pin holes in the freezer plug that leaks anti freeze.
A'Tavia Tatiana, it would be worth a shot but you would need to know where the leak is at and there are a few steps you need to take to ensure that it seals properly.
+sexylitehaiti sexylitehaiti you have an air pocket you need to bleed the system ,
you got to gut it out, easy breezy
new drinking game! each time he says "crap" take a drink! lol I did like the video, just playing!
Wouldn't it be better if you drained the radiator so the epoxy would get deeper into the crack or doesn't it matter? I have same problem in exactly same place.
+Aero Webb The idea is to try a quick easy fix first. If it works great...if not...
The problem with fixing these plastic tanks is the fact that you have water, heat, and pressure, all involved. Whatever you use, it has to be water proof, it has to be able to withstand the high temperature. It has to be able to hold back the pressure in your radiator (whatever PSI your radiator cap is) AND it has to be able to flex WITH the plastic radiator as the temperature goes up and down repeatedly. Not only that, but as the video states, the crack will spread. What you see on the surface might just be the tip of the ice burg. You might have a much LARGER crack on the inside of the radiator which is preparing to breach the surface.
Finally to make matters worse, these radiators with the plastic housing are just NOT MADE TO LAST. If they were we wouldn't have to repair them all the time. As time goes by and the temperature of the plastic housing goes up and down, the plastic will actually BAKE and HARDEN becoming more and more BRITTLE over time. Most of the time when you have a crack on one part, the WHOLE THING is going to be brittle in multiple places due to the baking effect. Eventually the heat and vibration of the engine will destroy the radiator housing.
The people who suggest to completely replace these things are absolutely correct. Any "Fix" or "Repair" is going to be a temporary solution. If all you need is to get your vehicle running on a limited budget, an epoxy fix like this will get you rolling... for now. But if you can afford the time and money to replace the entire thing, I highly suggest you do it.
It's also recommended to have the vehicle's engine cooling system thoroughly checked, since other problems may have caused your radiator housing to fail prematurely. Check and make sure that you are not past-due on an oil change and the dipstick reads the correct level. Also check your radiator cap, since a normally functioning cap is supposed to release pressure into the reserve tank when it builds up too high. A failing cap can cause unnecessarily high pressure and temperatures. Check your motor mounts to make sure they are in working condition since excessive vibration can lead to many engine problems. Any time you over heat your vehicle or let it run low on coolant, there's a chance that the thermostat will fail which will cause even more problems. The thermostat is a cheap part, and if you're going to be working on the vehicle, you may as well change the thermostat out too, just to be sure.
+twistdshade I did this quick fix and it has lasted a year...so....
twistdshade aluminum is the way to go but everything you said is true
twistdshade you are absolutely correct. Sealants are only temporary fix. 100%
Live your video....Thanks 👍😃
Cut the bar between the two plungers on the epoxy container. This will allow the epoxy and catylist to be dispensed in equal small amounts (never seems to work out equal when plunger is pushed with bar connected). Squeeze out amount needed, do not touch the tips of the tubes to the other product or it will start the cure process at the tube ends.
Mix small amounts and apply several coats as needed.
Put the cap on the tube ends, place the dispenser and the package (so you know what it is in the future) in a zip top freezer bag so it all stays together and store where ever you keep your adhesives. Have had it last for months that way.
The excess dripped all over everywhere is just a waste, does no good for the work, looks messy and unprofessional.
Hi thanks for vedio we’re did y bay that epoxy
Good vid. Unfortunately we don’t have Loctite brand here. Do you think PC Fahrenheit Hi Temp will help . Will appreciate
Thank you so much you saved me time and money God Bless
Thanks for the video. Will this be a short time fix for the radiator which will need to be replaced sooner then later, or could this repair prolong the life of the radiator for many months/years.
its a permanent fix it will last for the life of the radiator if you need any help with it just let me know and when you get ready to do it the key to making it successful is just taking time to clean it and rub it with sandpaper so it really gets a nice tight bond
also does it drip into other parts.. would that cause a problem??
+Reagan Martinez no its pretty easy to work with, also jb weld does good , it wont hurt anything
Hey budy. So did it help? Did the leaking stoped? I also have the same problem. Thats why Im asking u.
Jamie - One point I wanted to ask you, I have a crack on my upper plastic radiator ('94 Honda Accord Ex) - near top hose. My dad tried Steel Quick but it didn't last. I want to try what you did but have a question. Should I run the engine and make the radiator hot before applying glue so that the expansion, shrinkage issue in cold weather isn't an issue - any thoughts..?
+Jayson Williams no , but on the old ones use jb weld
thanks Jamie
Put some of that drywall fiberglass mesh over that first, then apply goo.
Hey bud, I gotta 99 s10 with a small crack up top passenger side in the plastic. Easy to get to, and I think this would work a treat even though a new rad is only $115, but I wanna try this first. My question is, do I need to drain the rad first, will the glue seep inside the crack and mix with my coolant?
Ryan Lee Hi Ryan, sorry for the delay. Absolutely no, it will not seep inside. Hairline cracks tend not to open until they come under pressure. Also, you can use JB Weld Quickset which is very strong as well. It all comes down to prepping the surface so make sure that you do a really good job with the sanding so that the epoxy has something to adhere to. Let me know if you need any help along the way.
JamieJones TheCarMan Sounds good man, gonna give it a shot this weekend. Thanks for the response.
Ryan Lee Cool, cool, cool!! If you need anything man, just hit me back. Good luck with it!!
JamieJones TheCarMan Okay, I went out and bought some products, now I am just trying to figure out which to use. I bought Loctite plastic Epoxy just like you use in this video, regular jb weld no quickset, and JB plastic weld which looks exactly like what you are using here, but by JB. I plan on cleaning, sanding, wire brush, and cleaning again. I also plan on applying the epoxy, than a layer of mesh, and another layer of epoxy. What are your thoughts on the JB plastic weld as opposed to the Loctite? Here is a link the the Plastic JB Weld I bought from Wally World. www.amazon.com/J-B-Weld-50132-PlasticWeld-Syringe/dp/B009EU5ZMK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1434511059&sr=8-2&keywords=jb+plastic+weld
They also make a Gorilla Glue epoxy. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001Z3C3AG?ref_=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_i
Also make a putty, like Quik Steel. Wondering if it would be good to do putty first, than seal it off with the epoxy?
Sorry for all the questions man, but I want positive results!
Ryan Lee Hey Ryan, no problem at all. I think for the strongest, longest lasting result, I would go with the JB Weld (the regular one, not the plastic one). Now, the Loctite and/or the JB Weld for plastic are both good products and both will effectively seal the radiator, but I have never seen any outlast the regular JB Weld. As for the Quik Steel, no..don't mix the Quik Steel or anything else with it. Whichever product you choose to use, let it stand alone and do the job itself. Sometimes, if you mix products up it has an adverse effect and they work against each other. Just do a really good job on the sanding and remember that the wider the area you sand, the better the bond will be. One more note, whichever one you end up using, be sure to give it the maximum amount of cure time. Good luck man and if you need anything I'm here. Be sure to let me know how it goes.
I have honda that has plastic at the top of my radiator. It's at the top, and right of the sprout. I repaired with JB plastic welding. Did exactly what he said to do. I have faith it will work for me. the car is pretty old, just need for short runs. Epoxy does wonders for pretty much everything.
+Roberta Westbrooks Tried JB Weld on my plastic rad., did everything it said, cleaned it, roughed it up let it set for 24 hours...it didn't hold first time out. Others have posted that antifreeze will eat right through it. I don't know if that was it or not, but it failed. :(
Hey me too! What's the update? Did it hold up? How long? I have a honda CRV and sprung a leak at the same spot as you.
I think it would have been better to remove the coolant or water so that it wouldn't be a bother to the working area.
Sounds great, but Rob asks how hot can the epoxy glue withstand, before the glue breaks apart? Subscribed to your channel also!
Rick Ford What's crazy is, I have the same exact small crack, at the same exact place lol! Mine's a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier, and I was gonna get the spare radiator from a buddy of mine, but if this shit works...I've got two good options in that case. lol
Rick Ford Hey Man, LOL..if its a hairline crack next to the metal, I would use the JB Weld QuickSet because it will really get a good bite on the metal. It sets in 5 minutes and fully cures overnight. As for the epoxy glue, it can do about 3500psi and I THINK it can withstand about 500-600 degrees.
Hi. It appears that the plastic has separated from the aluminum on the radiator in my 05 Hyundai. The leak though small is causing the ect sensor to fail and the car to overheat. Will this work for that as a temporary fix? Thanks
Shawn Hobbs Hi Shawn, honestly it sounds like almost a guaranteed radiator replacement. IF its a very small drip, you MAY be able to put some JB Weld on it but its probably not going to hold for very long unfortunately. Is it at the top or the bottom of your radiator?
JamieJones TheCarMan at the top
@@anom2012I
Did it last? Loctite says not to use it in wet areas or over 120degrees
Which version of JD Weld works best? What about just the regular JD Weld?
so I'm going to need to take off the front grill and that bar that goes across top of radiator? Do I also need to remove cooling fan??
+Reagan Martinez sometimes just got to make sure you sand it make the surface rough , jb weld works great also
Did it really work on that car please let me know I have a leak on my radiator on my cavalier
Did you drain the radiator first?
I have a leak at the bottom of my radiator, I went to the auto store and the guy told me I could try to fix it, but I don't even know where the actual leak is. My car just overheats and I can't drive it, would this help?
+A'Tavia Tatiana If your car is overheating fix that problem first. You might have a stuck thermostat or a lazy water pump.
Viva el vinoooo...!!!!!!!
Dude I'm getting this! I already ordered a replacement radiator for 60 bucks but shit I'll take the loss and do this for now
Does the Epoxy permanently fix the leak? Also my radiator is currently leaking and leaks more every time I wipe it off. Should I wait for it to dry off, get rid of all coolant and then apply it or it doesn't matter?
+Ravi Patel yes it will last quite a while
+Ravi Patel I definitely want it to be July 1st
+JamieJones TheCarMan thanks I applied it a few days ago when I saw the radiator wasn't leaking.. awesome fix.. #rocksolid thanks sir.
my question is what does Loctite say about how hot the temperature can be for it to still stick to the plastic ?
So did it work? How long did you have to wait for it to dry
Technical specs for the epoxy on Loctite's web site says that the cured epoxy shouldn't be used over 180 degrees. Maybe they're sandbagging the number? Normal radiator temp can be around 200 right? Any comments re: the temperatures involved with this app? Also, what about "fluffing" the epoxy with flocking (ground cotton fibers) for strength? Plastic reservoir on my wife's radiator (Camry) has a 1 cm hairline crack near the top.
+K Long ok on expansion tank I would definitely use JB Weld it will definitely hold it and it adheres really good
JamieJones TheCarMan i have a similar problem on my coolant expansion tank on my x5 what would you recommend ?
You can reuse it just put the lid on 1 side will evoperate a little onnya but no biggie
Hi How long has it held
It held forever but they actually make a Pirma Tex one that’s made for the radiator these days so I haven’t tried that one yet but I bet it would work just fine too or I’ll tell you something else you could get one of those little cheap plastic welders from Harbor freight fix it to super easy
Hello I had a question and was wondering if you can help out ?
ove you, that was amazing
hi jamie & jones.
does it fix the leak?
is it still leaking?
Allah razı olsun
thanks
Did it work?
Hey bro thanks very much. I subscribed...
KnowledgeSeeker R cool u need anything let me know
These plastic radiators are such crap!
Might have saved about a thousand bucks between this repair and an exhaust pipe break 'bandage' style repair, for short term exchange of the vehicle at any rate. But Thanks!!
I just looked up the long term exposure for Loctite 5 min epoxy. It's only 120F, 49C. That's not acceptable for a radiator with a thermostat of 180 to 190 degrees F. Plus the temperature environment of the motor. This product will only work short term. I guess it may get you out of a hole.
how long to let it set i torn up the container it comes in and forgot how long it takes to harden
I Got A Funny Feeling This Guy Eats His Pancakes and Scrambled Eggs in the morning with his Hands also !! 🤣 OMG !! AMAZING THAT THIS IS THE VIDEO GOOGLE CHOOSES FOR PLASTIC RADIATOR REPAIR.. I used to go to UA-cam for things like a Mechanic changing a Water Pump on a Vehicle I wasn't familiar with. Now UA-cam is like Hack Handyman's Version of How NOT to do it Mostly !!
The only way to permanently fix it is replacing it or infusion however this is an emergency repair and will hold until you can fix it properly . Now most plastic epoxy will work ie 3m has one branded for radiator repair . Good luck
what happened after u start the car and steam build up in the radiator and it busted again??
Steam happens on a car with a stuck thermostat or blown head gasket. You would see your temp gauge skyrocket as that happened
can I do this to a four inch long and thin crack on the top that runs parallel to the center of the radiator?
Yep, I ended up patching it with JB weld high heat epoxy, in putty form- which I didn't know before buying online. It hardened solid but didn't seal the crack because coolant slowly dripped out from under the patch. I prepped the surface by thoroughly scarring the top of the radiator with a knife. Even gave a one inch margin on all sides of the crack and used all of the putty for a thick patch. DIDN'T WORK WITH JB WELD HIGH HEAT PUTTY ON THIN 3-4 INCH CRACK
how long after applying epoxy do I have to wait before I can use the radiator again???
flip pino I would recommend a waiting 24 hours because that gives it the full time to cure.
Did this hold?
Will this work on most craks even bigger cracks
Can it be in the steel parts?
Much love
thank you much love back to you
It works, but would be better if water was first siphoned out out of container...silicone would work too. I'm definitely for DIY fixes...
Sloppy but we get the point lol thanks because this is exactly what I needed to see
I used 400 sand paper. Is that okay?
hey carman... where do I buy the loctite?
+Reagan Martinez walmart or any hardware store or home improvement
Can sealing up a crack or hole in the radiator not harm a car's engine?