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Temporary Radiator Fix

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Old Aug 3, 2004 | 03:54 PM
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Default Temporary Radiator Fix

My '95 has developed a pinhole leak in the side tank of the radiator.

The book says it can't be repaired.

Has anyone had success with a temporary fix to get me to the weekend so I don't have to drive the backup car to work?
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Old Aug 3, 2004 | 04:11 PM
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You could try some stop leak. I personally would not use any it may gum up the cooling the system.. As far as a fix you should be able to remove the radiator and take it to a repair shop and have the gasket on the side tank replaced.
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Old Aug 3, 2004 | 04:16 PM
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I saw on the Mythbusters (television) Pour a raw egg in hot radiator and it stopped the leak.
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Old Aug 3, 2004 | 04:42 PM
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Don't laugh---black pepper. Works like Barr's Leak.
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Old Aug 4, 2004 | 04:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Muffin
Don't laugh---black pepper. Works like Barr's Leak.
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Old Aug 4, 2004 | 07:33 AM
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I had a pinhole that later developed into a crack. Stop leak didn't work, I simply replaced the radiator.
I did drive it for a couple weeks like that with it squirting coolant but it didn't harm anything.
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Old Aug 4, 2004 | 09:45 AM
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Default Stop the leak

First I read that to stop the leak use a raw egg, then I read use pepper
why not use some bacon n(raw) and you will have a complete breakfast.
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Old Aug 4, 2004 | 10:05 AM
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myth busters, saw it too, it works!
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Old Aug 4, 2004 | 10:34 AM
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I used some putty-like compound from the hardware store that was rated to 500 degrees F. It was like JB Weld. I put that on a rather large leak on a 1988 Oldsmobile (3800) radiator. Worked so well taht I forgot to replace the radiator!!! I sold the car with 320,000 miles on it(original drive train... and I absolutely PROMISE that I am not making this up. The car was a freak and is probably still going). Go figure.
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Old Aug 5, 2004 | 01:15 AM
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Originally Posted by GiDvEtTe84
I saw on the Mythbusters (television) Pour a raw egg in hot radiator and it stopped the leak.
But i'm not sure how long that'd last...
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Old Aug 5, 2004 | 01:31 AM
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Originally Posted by icefish LT1
But i'm not sure how long that'd last...
Hey, he asked for a temp fix, right?

I'll have coffee and large glass of OJ to with that........
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Old Aug 5, 2004 | 01:34 AM
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Originally Posted by GiDvEtTe84
I saw on the Mythbusters (television) Pour a raw egg in hot radiator and it stopped the leak.
I saw that too. Wonder how long it would last?
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Old Aug 5, 2004 | 08:26 AM
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Yeah. I saw it. I'd like a follow up to see how long the thingie lasted.
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Old Aug 5, 2004 | 03:43 PM
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It's a great fix if you're stuck but I would not put anything
thick like an egg in my rad unless it was life or death.. May
cause problems down the road ( no pun intended ). I would
take eschoendorff's advice... Keep the fix on the outside...
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Old Aug 5, 2004 | 10:19 PM
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The radiators are cheap-as little as $130 and easy to install, mine took less than an hour for removal and installation. C4 radiators are some of the easiest to put in.
A patched radiator is a ticking time bomb............
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Old Aug 6, 2004 | 12:48 AM
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I temporarily fixed my heater core in my jeep with hardening puddy. Come to think of it, that was 20 years ago. Hasnt leaked since.
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