froggy47

No not on a Vette, this is an old Explorer that I need to get about 4 more months out of before it gets recycled.

I've seen a few YT videos that involve melting the tank with a soldering iron & then putting plastic epoxy over that?

Anyone ever do this?

Is there a specific plastic epoxy that works on those tanks?

Nothing to lose, if it doesn't take I'll drop a radiator in.

Thanks.

Bill Dearborn

Why not see if you can find a slightly better radiator at a recycling center? A U Pull it Center may have just what you are looking for.

Bill

froggy47

Good idea if it comes to that, but takes 5 min. to slap some epoxy on if it'll stick for a few months.

It's about a 2 " hair line crack very easy to access top pass side & only leaks when pressurized.

steponc

I have used JB Weld on fuel tanks, ABS plastic wheel well parts and metal parts.

froggy47

Me too, just wonder if there is a "special" epoxy for radiator plastic?

VetteDrmr

Here's what I've done in the past: clean the crack area with some acetone, then scuff it up with a dremel sanding drum. Clean it again with some acetone, then I use the JB Weld for plastic. It usually works pretty well, but keep an eye on it.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

Supercharged111

I've used JB Weld before too, but I first wrapped the affected area with a couple zip ties so the JB Weld had something to hang onto instead of relying entirely on adhesion. Sounded good in my head, and worked good in practice. Probably would have been just as good without the zip ties, but now I'll never know.

froggy47

Thanks guys.

StKnoWhere

An adhesive probably will not last very long.

A plastic radiator repair option that might give you some ideas to McGuiver it using nylon hot melt and a soldering iron.

http://www.urethanesupply.com/radiator.php

rbl

I don't think any of the JB weld will work ... I don't think it is plactic or ABS.

Best bet would be a local place that sells snow machines and such. They will have a material to repair the cowling.

Second best, IMO, is a ford body shop. They have a 2 part special epoxy for door panels and things. It is extremely durable and damn near impossible to get off of anything. They would likely do it for you free if you drove over with a 6 pack of beer around 4:00 PM. Have it cleaned good. Acetone is good and them plain alcohol. I would also relieve the crack a little and try to undercut the material ever so slightly like the dentist does for a filling (mechanical) that will hold it.

You also need to stop drill the crack on both ends so it does not continue. Smallest drill bit you can find (#60) and drill a hole at the very end of the crack. If not, the crack will continue past your repair and leak right away.