Great, now what...

[aaron_ariens]

Alright, so I just got home from my oil change, and I have a tiny hairline crack on the top of my radiator.

It was bubbling quite a bit.

So, is there anything I can use to stop it until I get funds to fix it? =/ is JB Weld any good? It looks like the top part is made out of plastic.

Thanks for your help!

 

[R***A**N**G**E***R]

Alright, so I just got home from my oil change, and I have a tiny hairline crack on the top of my radiator.

It was bubbling quite a bit.

So, is there anything I can use to stop it until I get funds to fix it? =/ is JB Weld any good? It looks like the top part is made out of plastic.

Thanks for your help!

Depends on were the crack is, take a quick pic and post it, I jb welded my radiator 2 years ago in two spots and the leaks instantly stopped BUT I did try additves in the radiator first and nothing worked BUT there are some very good additives on the market that should work great depending on the location of the leak.

What ever you do do not take some crazy ass suggestions that might pop up like putting EGG or BLACK PEPPER or anything else that sounds rediculous. The reason I mention this is because additives that are specially designed to pour into your radiator are and have met strict tests in order to pass thru the cooling system properly with out plugging up your heater core and such.

Prestone has a new SUPER or HEAVY DUTY product out that claims to beat the competition,walmart sells it.

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURE >>>> http://www.prestone.com/enlarged/index.php?product=prestoneCoolSys8&name=Super+Radiator+Stop+Leak

EDIT: I used ( Water Weld ) to repair my radiator 2 years ago if I remember right it is made by JB weld but I might be wrong, amazing stuff!!

Here are the ( 2 ) repairs I did OVER 2 years ago!! Bone dry!!

 

[adsm08]

Far be it from me to tout any GM product, but I, along with most mechanics I know, swear by the AC Delco brand stop leak tabs. I know a guy, said he did a head job on a Cadillac once, did everything by the book, fired it up, and it pissed coolant out the head/block mating surfaces. He called up to the Caddy dealer, asked what he did wrong, they asked if he put the stop-leak tabs in. He got some GM stop-leak tabs, dropped 'em in, not a drop.

Try it, only about $5.

 

[aaron_ariens]

I can't get a picture, I only have my cell phone cam, without a flash. It's a hairline crack, on the left top.

 

[aaron_ariens]

Good ideas on the products, I'll try them out.

 

[adsm08]

Just don't use that Blue Devil crap. I've seen it lock engines and water pumps. I think its supposed to be rated for oil and coolant leaks.

 

[WJC97]

Bar's Leaks tablets. I've used their stuff for 15 years in many vehicles. At some point you'll have to replace the radiator of course. All stopleaks are temporary.

 

[retep88]

If you do end up using the JB weld, sand the area with rough sand paper and clean the area really well. That way the bond will last until you can replace the radiator.

 

[aaron_ariens]

Nice. Thanks so much guys. I'll let you know what I get, I'll probably go shopping tomorrow for it.

 

[Nhaz]

If its a plastic rad I have successfully used short strand fiberglass as a temporary repair. Note the word temporary there.

 

[scotts90ranger]

note that if you do ever get a leak at the auto tranny cooler line fittings, just tighten the nuts on the outside with some pliers, solved the leaks on my truck and explorer...

 

[R***A**N**G**E***R]

note that if you do ever get a leak at the auto tranny cooler line fittings, just tighten the nuts on the outside with some pliers, solved the leaks on my truck and explorer...

that is the first thing I tried, Didn't work in my case!!!!!

 

[The purple one]

Try taking the pressure off the cap. No pressure will slow the leak down untile you can fix it.

 

[strvger]

i've used Marine-Tex (2 part epoxy) on metal, wood, and fiberglass with excellent results. don't know why it wouldn't work on plastic. find it at the boat/marine stores. not cheap, but i've even used it on cracked engine manifolds and it worked!

 

[adsm08]

Try taking the pressure off the cap. No pressure will slow the leak down untile you can fix it.

I have no idea how that would help anything. Its still going to let your coolant boil out/leak out, just boil off faster since you now have a bigger hole.