Can plastic radiators be repaired?
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 52
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
Can plastic radiators be repaired?
I've noticed a small crack on the top of the radiator on our '90 ES250. It's just starting to weep, is there any repair possible other than replacing the radiator?
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 544
Likes: 22
From: Nebraska
Don't know if you can repair it. Why bother? If you are doing the repair yourself radiator are cheap: $60 to $130 at RockAuto.
I've seen JB weld and some types of epoxy used as short term repairs, and by short term I mean to allow the person to drive to the parts store or get off the highway, but I wouldn't suggest it as a permanent fix. Just pony up for the cheapest radiator and replace it as its cheaper than replacing the engine when you inevitably overheat the car with a temp fix.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 662
Likes: 33
From: New Zealand
That radiator started out being black, as time went by and hundreds of heat and cool cycles it went from black, to green to brown, to light brown. At that point it will start to crack on the inside, which is what all those lines on the outside are.
as soon as you repair that crack, another will appear within a day or so elsewhere (the next weak point). You'll be chasing them forever. It's cheaper just to replace the radiator.
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