I have been reading the older threads on here for how to repair the plastic on a radiator. Mostly JB Weld seems to be popular, or some type of epoxy for a temporary fix. Wonder if any thing new has developed.
I have a small 1/2 inch crack at the top of the radiator. I will drill a 1/16 hole to try and stop the crack from traveling, and repair with something for now. I repaired a microwave handle with something years ago, just can not remember what I had success with, after seveal trys..

I priced a new "plastic" radiator at the auto parts store for $116,

and on Ebay, a "plastic" radiator is about $60

Ebay has an aluminum radiator for $133 delivered. I will go with this one later.

Just looking for a temporary fix for now. I have alot of repairs, and

modifications to do....

thanks,,

 

JB weld is good stuff. I wouldn't mess with something like that on the cooling system though. If it were me, I'd bite the bullet and replace it now. Because it is bound to fail again soon and that could potentially cause a lot of damage when it does. My advice would be to put whatever mods on hold until you replace that.

 

JB weld, according to the manufacturer will not bond to Polypropylene or Polyethylene plastic. The majority of plastic things are made of those types, so it may not work well. Though JB does have a product specifically for plastic. Never used it, but some people say it's great.

 

Take it from me, whose radiator busted on the way home, over heated his engine and blew a head gasket and other head problems. It's better to pay the radiator bill than to pay the $800+ mechanic bill.

 

That's kinda what I was getting at. Make the radiator a priority buddy

 

Well, you may find this strange, I fixed a leak on the plastic side of the radiator on a 2002 GC I6 using a 30w soldering gun I got at the dollar store - would not destroy a good one for this test - and a black cable tie. I found the crack, used the iron to make a grove and slowly melted the tie into it. the crack was around 1 1/2 inch. It was ugly but worked.

 

For now I am just looking for a temporary fix so I can drive my Jeep around the neighborhood.

Later I will buy a good quality all aluminum radiator...

I read a little on the "weld plastic" with a heat source of some type, and plastic rod....but have never practiced it...

 

50 years ago, a person could use model car glue to weld plastic,

but modern model car glue is alot different....

 

how long have you had the plastic radiator? im looking at radiators now too, and the plastic/aluminum one on ebay made by Aeon caught my eye for $56. there was another that was all aluminum made by Silla for $160. both have 2 chambers. what do you guys think?

 

I would spend the money for all aluminum,I'm not a fan of the plastic end tanks most when they leak its from the plastic cracking.Plus off roading i rather have something that won't break and leave me walking back.

 

I repaired the stock plastic end radiator for a temporary fix, for now, so far so good.

I used JB Weld for the repair. Kept it warm with a light for a day or so..

I will go with the all aluminum later for sure..

The one I seen on Ebay for $133 looks as good as any....

When plastic is very cold, it is very brittle, and will crack very easy.

The way Jeep has attached the radiator with 4 bolts into the plastic top of the

radiator, is a very poor design.

Most radiators of other vehicles I have

worked on, sit in rubber cradles, and are attached on top with rubber cradles.

 

Here is a photo of my temporary repair, and the poor bolt on design...

I ground off one of the bolt-ons where the small crack was....