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Feb 28, 2012 12:38:14 GMT
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My rad has a crack at the top on one of the "end tanks" rather that the main surface area. Is chemical metal non porous? And how it is for setting in damp locations. I do have a heat gun. But just in case the crack seems some coolent whilst it is setting.
Any recommendations for this type of job?
Thank You
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MrSpeedy
East Midlands
www.vintagediesels.co.uk
Posts: 4,786 
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Feb 28, 2012 13:05:34 GMT
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Is this a plastic or brass end tank?
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Feb 28, 2012 13:20:48 GMT
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I once had the hose spigot break off of a plastic radiator top tank. I took the radiator into a local radiator shop and they replaced the top tank for a very reasonable fee. Well worth it if you plan on keeping the car long-term.
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Feb 28, 2012 15:32:43 GMT
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pretty certain plastic
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Feb 28, 2012 15:33:37 GMT
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some ford radiator
not certain what, as it's not original
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,189
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Feb 28, 2012 15:40:23 GMT
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I have tried this before on a BMW radiator (E32 730i to be exact). The simple answer is how long is a piece of string?
On the BMW it lasted two weeks before it started to leak again.
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Feb 28, 2012 15:54:48 GMT
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If it's a plastic rad you can repair it using a soldering iron and a piece of scrap plastic. First "stitch" across the crack with the soldering iron and then melt some plastic over it.
If it's a copper rad you can use regular electronics solder (I know it's weak, but since it's not structural it'll be fine) and a small torch, or some plumbers solder.
Products like JB weld seem to work fine, but I have no real long-term experience with them, so can't really comment on that. Maybe some regular plastic glue would be enough...
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Feb 28, 2012 16:01:17 GMT
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Or, get some dimensions and go hunting. I got a brand new Mk3 Fiesta 1.  rad for my Dolly for £25... There's been at least half a dozen more on at around the £30 mark. |
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mikeymk
Part of things
'85 Polo Coupe S 1.6 16v
Posts: 931
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My '85 Polo rad had seen better days, i just looked around a breakers for one that i could make fit reasonably easily - ended up finding a Renault Megane item to do the job.
Yeah it took some light fabrication of brackets, and i had to find an alternative inlet hose that'd reach around comfortably (bearing in mint the thermostat housing is a different design on this '02 16v engine).
But i figured it better to invest my time doing that than mess about with sourcing or repairing an ancient design fast becoming obsolete.
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Brigsy
Part of things
Posts: 610
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I used plumbers mate (basically the same as quicksteel) to repair a cracked plastic coolant swirlpot to keep me on the road until a replacement was found, worked fine. You can apply plumbers mateon damp surfaces. Its a bodge but will probably get you away until you can find a replacement rad.
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Last Edit: Mar 1, 2012 14:47:54 GMT by Brigsy
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Rich
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,234
Club RR Member Number: 160
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chemical metal / radiator repairRich
@foxmcintyre
Club Retro Rides Member 160
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I used plumbers mate (basically the same as quicksteel) to repair a cracked plastic coolant swirlpot to keep me on the road until a replacement was found, worked fine. You can apply plumbers mateon damp surfaces. Its a bodge but will probably get you away until you can find a replacement rad. Not to be confused with plumbers mait. Plumbers mait is a soft non setting putty for sealing the bog to the soil stack and stuff. Won’t do a radiator. |
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Jul 27, 2020 21:36:00 GMT
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After all those dodgy porn films from the 70's and 80's I'm very reluctant to google "Plumbers Mate".
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74 Mk1 Escort 1360, 1971 Vauxhall Victor SL2000 Estate.
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Confessions of/from a _____? Some of those were fairly amusing as I recall.
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Brigsy
Part of things
Posts: 610
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Jul 31, 2020 20:39:11 GMT
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I used plumbers mate (basically the same as quicksteel) to repair a cracked plastic coolant swirlpot to keep me on the road until a replacement was found, worked fine. You can apply plumbers mateon damp surfaces. Its a bodge but will probably get you away until you can find a replacement rad. Not to be confused with plumbers mait. Plumbers mait is a soft non setting putty for sealing the bog to the soil stack and stuff. Won’t do a radiator. I cant even remember posting this  bumped by a spammer by the looks of it. It was actually evostik plumbers mait that i used, confusing but the same name and its the same as quiksteel but cheaper www.therange.co.uk/diy/hardware-and-accessories/household/plumbing/evo-stik-plumbers-mait-repair-putty/#186551Still carry some in my get me home box, good stuff. |
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spammer alert! I have just clicked "report post" can others do the same, it will help the forum a lot.
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I have used JB Weld [its much the same as chemical metal] on a ford rad plastic end tank, bodged up a 1/2" sized hole in it where a support was that got broken off, it did a very good job but the rad has to be drained and dry really.
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I have used upol fantastic with good results  |
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rad for my Dolly for £25... There's been at least half a dozen more on at around the £30 mark.
bumped by a spammer by the looks of it.