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+--- Thread: Radiator Leak on top Plastic Tank (/showthread.php?tid=84575)
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Radiator Leak on top Plastic Tank - Microman - 09-18-2009
Daughter in Laws car got towed home today.
Checked oil, checked water. Later in the day, started it up, and I see a hairline crack in the top tank. I removed the radiator, and have it sitting in the back yard.
I can't remember, ...... when I have taken radiators to be repaired before... is it when those plastic tanks are cracked that the whole radiator is shot? I have a radiator place, but they are closed till a.m.
Thanks.
Re: Radiator Leak on top Plastic Tank - mrlynn - 09-18-2009
Huh? You mean the overflow tank? Not usually part of the radiator at all.
Top part of plastic radiator? No idea; haven't had a plastic one go bad—yet.
/Mr Lynn
Re: Radiator Leak on top Plastic Tank - olnacl - 09-18-2009
A quick Google found this:
Leaks in plastic end tanks can be filled with epoxy, covered with fiberglass and epoxy, or hot-air welded using nylon plastic filler rod. Welding plastic takes some skill and requires careful surface preparation to get good adhesion. The leak must first be "V" ground and sanded, then cleaned with wax and grease remover to assure a strong bond. The other alternative is to simply replace the damaged end tank. But the job is harder than it looks because the end tank must be pressed down on the core with about 150 lbs. of pressure while the header tabs are clamped in place. Radiator shops have the proper fixtures for doing this, but many underhood repair shops probably don't.
http://www.arrowheadradiator.com/Radiator_Diagnosis,_%20Repair,_%20&_%20Replacement_%20Tips.htm
Re: Radiator Leak on top Plastic Tank - Rick-o - 09-18-2009
I had one side crack, way back when on an '84 Camaro. I too removed the radiator and went to the local shop for a repair. I wanted the bad side replaced, but they talked me into sealing the existing tank. I thought all was fine when I picked it up and installed, except that it started leaking after a few days! I had to tear it all apart again, trying to salvage the days old coolant and went back to the shop to complain. They offered to do another patch, but I decided this time to have the tank replaced. Too bad I didn't stick to my guns, as it would have saved me a lot of grief in the long run.
Re: Radiator Leak on top Plastic Tank - Carm - 09-18-2009
I had a crack on plastic part of radiator. Tried epoxy followed directions to the T and still had a leak. Good luck if you go with epoxy route.
What caused the crack? Mine was off roading and the radiator cap hit the hood on a sharp drop. Check motor mounts to make sure the engine is secured to the frame.
Get a new radiator. Call around. Prices vary.
Joe
Re: Radiator Leak on top Plastic Tank - lafinfil - 09-18-2009
There are shops that can do plastic welding with success but it depends on where the breaks are.
A good radiator shop can check it out and tell you whether it is salvageable or not.
Re: Radiator Leak on top Plastic Tank - davester - 09-18-2009
It depends a lot on the type of car. Also, in many cases (such as my old BMW 3-series), the cost of the radiator is only about $150 which is about what you would probably get charged for a repair (which would be of questionable integrity).
Re: Radiator Leak on top Plastic Tank - ADent - 09-18-2009
The plastic parts in the cooling system are only good for 10-15 years. I would replace the tanks - it will probably be cheaper to get a whole radiator. I picked one up for $150 new last year from partsgeek.com .
Hopefully you don't have the plastic thermostat housing or waterpump impeller like so many BMWs.
Re: Radiator Leak on top Plastic Tank - Robert M - 09-18-2009
Micro,
Every car I've owned has required a new radiator at some point. I could've repaired the radiator but I've always replaced them entirely. The difference in price between a repair and a replace was minimal at best and, due to age, absolutely not cost effective. As each of the vehicles was over ten years old and 80K to 100K miles on it, the radiators were already nearing the end of their expected life cycle, had "crap" clogging parts of them despite regular flushing and if one part was repaired another component would be bound to go boom.
So, with that in mind, I'd save yourself the agita and just replace the radiator with a brand-new one. 'course, it sounds like you're talking about the reserve tank which is a different matter entirely.
Robert
Re: Radiator Leak on top Plastic Tank - mrbigstuff - 09-18-2009
I have been in this situation before and I know the temptation to repair the leak is great, but in the end (and if you plan on keeping the car), it is cheaper in the long run to buy another radiator. If you have a good boneyard around, you may want to see what they have available. However, some used parts are no bargain and nearly as expensive as new.
(Questionable quality of newer, China-made parts complicates this situation, but for the sake of argument I'll assume that you find a quality new item.)