Gluing the radiator tank

Solution: #3: Some of the ideas from the extreme DYI car owners use glue. The plastic tank can be reinforce before even the potential crack begins to occur. Simply clean, sand then create pits on the surface of the radiator so the glue can seep into and bond to the plastic securely. How do we create pits? Usually plastic can form crater like pits thru using pencil torch flames (not the actual flame but the hot air created from the flame) but this depends on your experience. Then apply a coat of epoxy and fiber glass after thorough cleaning. The cleaning process is essential. Dish washer detergent is practical and should remove grease. Then rinse with a high pressure water jet. Allow to air dry. Do not towel dry.  Polyurethane glue is tough and requires no mixing. Other types of high strength epoxy, such as "JB-Weld", could be used but do not mix to other glue types. Apply glue with a steel brush forcing them into the pits. Apply fiber glass then apply a final coat of glue.

Tip: If you're gluing a cracked radiator, apply glue into a rough surface overnight and test the adhesion strength before choosing the type of glue. Most always, you cannot glue a cracked radiator, you can only weld it. If you still want to glue it then open the crack with a few needles then clean and apply glue. Brace the glue area with "C" shape steel to increase pressure strength.

The proper method to glue vinyl plastic is thru the use of plastic weld. But that requires a set of special tools and the search for an exact match of plastic welding rod. The material used for welding is removed or borrowed from the radiator itself.

Where to glue: The weak point in the radiator is about the center (1/2" from the top on the car bumper side) where no curved supports are found (it's just a flat wall - bad engineering.) It's where they are allowed to expose to the oxygen which speeds up the oxidation process. (The oxygen may explain why the crack occurs only at the top tank which produces a crystalline and crumbly effect. Good reason not run your coolant too low.) You might have to cover the total height and width of the tank with epoxy and fiberglass. There are no pictures available but physically you can determine that yourself.



Areas of the crack to the front of the vehicle.

 

 

Author's tip: Although glue is strong, nothing beats the simplicity of a zip tie. I used about 20 zip ties up and down the tank. Simply slide in one zip tie at a time. Then tighten them down securely. I can't prove that this works but the plastic tank is holding up since 3 or 4 years ago. I do this to the rest of my cars with a plastic tank I deem badly engineered since plastic can burst under heat and pressure.

   

 

 

<< Back