Ok I'm looking for options-experiences to fix my radiator.

I had a little bumper to bumper accident action a few weeks back. I'll post pictures later on GD. Not too much damage, It's all fixed now, but I just found that my radiator is leaking a little, so small it doesn't affect driving the car.

This is the WRX by the way. There's two plastic tabs that are used to hold the radiator in place on the top, being held by two metal brackets bolted to the radiator support, just like any civic, well any car.

With the hit everything bent a little inside to the engine bay, but the top of the radiator support stayed in place, so the two tabs bent in, and cracked a little around the bottom of them and the endtanks. I can drive the car fine, it doesnt overheat and the leak is so minimal my overflow tank is full, just like I left it when putting the car back together. But there's still a leak, and is just not safe, as it can open more and be a pain later.

So what have you used to fix it, any type of epoxy or jb weld.

I tried the 4 minute fast dry JB weld, grinded the plastic a pit, cleaned it off good and applied it. It is still leaking. So I need something that will stick better to plastic.

Maybe regular JB weld will do a better job, or fiberglass.

I'm heading on a long trip, 4 hours, this weekend and I would like to have it fixed by then, if not I'll have to carry a few bottle of water just in case.

By the way, a new radiator replacement, $760 at batozone, or Pimpboys. Koyo aluminum $400 on ebay, ot the Koyo factory replacement $200+, but would take too long to get here.

Thanks for your help

 

i have used the regular jb weld.
grind down excess, and use sand paper to roughen up the plastic.
make sure it is completely dry.
the jbweld will try to run, but for gods sake you have to catch it.
good luck.

 

yup, exactly what ive used, the radiator i have right now i fixed but its also leaking from where the plastic and metal meet still, but even my old full size crx radiator i had jb weld on the bottom of it, worked great. just be sure to clean the spot your doing and make sure its dry.

 

Yeah, I'm probably going to have to drain it then let it sit for a while, or use a heat gun to dry it, then redo this thing with real JBweld not the 4 minute crap. it's on the top of the radiator than should not see that much water and they are so small is not even funny.

I really don't feel like even paying $200-225 for another rad and specially not feeling the $750 to get one at the store, that's just gay.

Thanks

 

That 35000+ (or some huge number, anyway) psi plastic weld two part epoxy stuff is for you. I've had varying success with JB Weld, but the plastic stuff works wonders. Just wipe off most of the oil and crap from the outside and it's clean enough.

 

I'm thinking of going to the autopart's epoxy/glue section and see what I can find. I also have had varying results with JB weld, sometimes it works, not all the time.

It will be nice to find something made for plastic specifically.

 

I had a small crack in my crx raditor couple months back. did the jb weld fix to it, cracked at the point I tired to fix and basically the whole top right side of the radiator 2-3 days later. If it was for a honda I would say screw it and get another one has a used honda one is gonna be 40 bucks or cheap

 

Did you drill the ends of the crack to relieve stress on the crack itself?

I forgot to mention that is mandatory for all crack repairs.

 

Nope roughed it slapped it on. Ya and I had some of that Bar leaks stuff in my raditor and when it exploded my engine bay had crome flakes all over it tiiite.