Can I repair this crack in my radiator?

Question

Ok I have a 99 Nissan Maxima, and just this morning noticed when i had gone to the store i had some smoke coming out from under my hood. I got home and had my boyfriend check it out, and he cleaned up all the antifreeze which wasn't to much. And we started the car up and let it sit a while running with the hood open so we could see where the leak was. Well needless to say we couldn't seem to see it leaking anywheres. SO we took it out for another quick drive, got it home looked again and see that there is a hairline crack about and inch and a half long on the very top of the radiator on the plastic part. Is this repairable? My boyfriend was wondering if he could heat upo some plastic with a soldering iron and melt it on there? or possibly just drain the radiator and try and heat the plastic back together its self without adding more? My boyfriend does have quiet a bit of automotive knowledge but this he has never attempted, and I would like others opinions before we go any further. I just really can't afford a new radiator right now. Thanks

Answer 1

Well, your boyfriend sounds like he is mechanically inclined so it might be worth a try. He can try to melt it, but there are 2 types of plastics, thermoforms and thermosets. Thermoform plastics you can reheat and melt. In fact they make plastic welders that work with a thin stream of hot air rather than electriciy, but you wouldn't bother buying one of these, they are $300 or so. Thermoset plastics will mold once, and if you heat them a second time, they just char. They won't remelt after the initial molding. So he can try and melt the crack with a cheap soldering iron and see what it does, but I don't think it's going to work. What you CAN do is, at auto parts stores they sell little epoxy adhesives, usually in a block or a ribbon. You mash the 2 colors together like chewing gum, and when it is all a uniform color, you apply it to the problem area, and let it set up. Depending on how accessible the area is, you can maybe cut into the crack so you can open it up enough to pack some of this epoxy in there. You want to cut away some of the plastic. Don't just force the crack open, because what you will do is make the crack spread further, or worse, get a fracture and wind up holding a piece of the tank in your hand. Cut gently into the crack until you have a thin opening. Then mix the epoxy and press it into place. Make sure you wait the required time before you try to use the car. Top off your water, and drive the car and see how things turned out. This is about the best I can think of for a cheap repair on a plastic radiator. I hate those things!. If if were brass, you could just heat it up, and put a little solder on it, and that would be it. I think this is probably made with a thermoset plastic, because it is subjected to high temperatures. So they wouldn't use a thermoform plastic there, so you will probably be out of luck with melting it and blending it.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

relies upon if the cost of a clean radiator warrants a restore or alternative, in case you replace it with anew one, pay attention for the chinese language replacements. they don't look to be very well worth the cheap.I basically locate it much less complicated to bypass to the junkyard and locate one. in case you could examine some autos and get the final one. in case your obtainable you could restore it your self. basically did mine myself (in no way did one yet seen it carried out sufficient) and value me approximately 15 dollars in solder and Mapp gas. seek the internet and you could locate the thank you to try this.

Answer 3

you can try a radiator sealer from the auto parts store. but it only works on very small holes. most likely you will have to replace it.