radiator leak! if its not one thing, its another!

rseldner · Post by **rseldner** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 2:47 pm

some new problem always pops up as soon as i resolve one. Now i've got a radiator leak. there appears to be a tiny crack right underneath the serial number. I wiped it clean, started the car, and watched the fluid leak out. see picture below. Is this something that can easily be repaired?

alsey_seven · Post by **alsey_seven** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 2:54 pm

don't take the chance. with a ghetto fix. Just replace it. would you rather buy a radiator or a new engine?

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 2:54 pm

I would *try* out some epoxy or JB Weld.

Let the car cool off, make sure the spot is PERFECTLY clean (use brake cleaner and remove any / all residue), and try it out.

My *guess* is, that it will work. I don't know if it will carry you through the summer, but it may hold up just fine for now.

I would at least try that, and see what happens.
If it doesn't work, you'll lose maybe $5 for the JB Weld, and have to replace the radiator.

- Nick

Post by **occasional demons** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 2:58 pm

I would scuff the area up and try some of the 3M plastic weld that we use to make ghetto IM's. If it holds an intake together, it should hold that. It is rated at 4000 psi tensile strength or some insane amount. Maybe use some alcohol to clean it, as ethylene glycol is an alcohol byproduct; it might clean any antifreeze out of there to help the bond. $4 or $5 beats buying another radiator.
That's all I can think of ATM.

Edit:Too slow!

rseldner · Post by **rseldner** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 3:29 pm

what's the actual name of the 3m stuff? i cant find it under "3m plastic weld"

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 7:32 pm

Plan on keeping the car?

Bite the bullet and get a new rad.

I have no problems with my upper/lower rad hoses or rad at the present time; however, I have plans to replace all those parts in the next few months... just need to pickup the lower hose and rad now.

rseldner · Post by **rseldner** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 11:47 pm

what pisses me off is that i was hoping to get rid of it soon...and then this shit happens. anywho...i slathered on some JB weld on to get me through till i get it checked out. hope it holds up.

Xtian · Post by **Xtian** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 12:15 am

I just replaced mine, cost me about $150.
Just replace it, no need putting stuff and clogging it.

rseldner · Post by **rseldner** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 9:10 am

yes, there is a point...

i slathered on some JB weld on to get me through till i get it checked out.

which will be tomorrow
i know im more than likely going to have to replace it.

rseldner · Post by **rseldner** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 12:11 pm

Hey...what do you guys think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-200 ... dZViewItem

alsey_seven · Post by **alsey_seven** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 1:16 pm

bad idea. don't buy online unless its from rockauto or modern.....

go down to your local autozone/ pep boys / kragen and buy it from them. if anything happens the warranty will cover it. and you don't have to reship if you buy it online.

Post by **occasional demons** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 5:38 pm

Xtian wrote:I just replaced mine, cost me about $150.
Just replace it, no need putting stuff and clogging it.

Putting some epoxy on the outside will not harm the inside in any way.
But since you plan on selling the car, a new radiator would be a good selling point. Otherwise, I would just use this and cut a piece of thin black plastic from something, to put over it so it bonds/looks better. Maybe hold it tight with some shipping tape for 15 minutes till it sets good. Walmart carries it for under $4 in the fastener section.
My bad: was thinking 3m for some reason.

supermike · Post by **supermike** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:46 pm

No way! Is this a common problem or something? I just replaced mine yesterday because it was cracked in the exact same place. You're going to have to replace it. Whatever it's made out of won't let anything stick to it. Plus with the expansion and contraction, whatever you put on will just pop right off. I ordered mine from go-part.com, $96 for a KOYO radiator didn't seem like too bad of a price to me. Shipping was like $16 from Cali to PA.

latief · Post by **latief** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 9:05 pm

I have a radiator crack in the same exact location.......it seems common (relatively speaking) on these older ones i guess......

rseldner · Post by **rseldner** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 10:27 pm

alright...so here's the plan. I'm ordering a radiator tonight for around $100. I'm going to slather on a fuckload of JB weld to get me through until i receive the new radiator. what's your guys' take on installing it myself? It'll save me the $40 i would pay to have it installed. ( a guy I somewhat know)

supermike · Post by **supermike** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 10:30 pm

No use taking it to a garage, it's not that hard to replace, especially if you have a CAI. If you don't, it might save you some frustration to take your airbox out.

rseldner · Post by **rseldner** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 11:16 pm

i replaced CAI w/ stock intake during last monsoon season and never bothered putting it back :-/ thanks for the tip though. Any thing else I should note? Are there any extra precausions I'll need to take in this project?
ibtw, 'm buying a KOYO intake from go-part.com as suggested. Thanks!

DR. GONZO · Post by **DR. GONZO** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:14 am

dude suck it up and buy a new one get the job done right the first time and save yourself a headache

rseldner · Post by **rseldner** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:50 am

what part of

I'm ordering a radiator tonight for around $100

and

"ibtw, 'm buying a KOYO intake from go-part.com as suggested. "

did you not understand?

perhaps someone else would like to suggest i buy a new one? anyone?

oh wait! I have an idea!!!! how about I buy a new one?

on a serious note. i appreciate the constructive input i got from some of you guys. I'm thinking of doing a HOWTO on replacing the radiator...i dont think there's one on this site.

DR. GONZO · Post by **DR. GONZO** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:49 am

my bad

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:16 pm

latief wrote:I have a radiator crack in the same exact location.......it seems common (relatively speaking) on these older ones i guess......

Hmm.

Maybe I should put some JB Weld or Epoxy on my radiator in that spot, to reinforce mine now, BEFORE it breaks.....

- Nick

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:29 pm

I woud use the epoxy that I linked in post #12 (this)
I don't know how well JB weld would hold. It is the only stuff that came off my home made IM when the neon got totalled, I mainly had it there for cosmetic reasons, but nonetheless it didn't take the impact, and the Loctite wasn't phased, the intake help up amzingly well for a glued together piece of plastic. The only thing that broke was the JB.

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:37 pm

occasional demons wrote:I woud use the epoxy that I linked in post #12 (this)
I don't know how well JB weld would hold. It is the only stuff that came off my home made IM when the neon got totalled, I mainly had it there for cosmetic reasons, but nonetheless it didn't take the impact, and the Loctite wasn't phased, the intake help up amzingly well for a glued together piece of plastic. The only thing that broke was the JB.

Thank you for the tip.

I will try that out.

- Nick

rseldner · Post by **rseldner** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 11:22 pm

try the lock tight. the JB weld takes 15 hours to set, and didnt stop the leak. (it did help it though) i'd probably need to do a 2nd or maybe 3rd coat. cant wait for the new radiator to come in

asanti · Post by **asanti** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:54 pm

Crap if you were close (CT) I'd offer to do the install for you. I replaced mine w/ a Koyo a few months back with 0 problems since.

rseldner · Post by **rseldner** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:42 pm

i just finisehd installing the new radiator! WOOT!! i might post up a how to. i took pictures.

do i toss the old radiator? not sure if ppl recycle them.

latief · Post by **latief** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:23 am

so any added benefit to this Koyo radiator. i know they sell an expensive one that is supposed to 'enhance cooling' but what about the one you get?

pictures will be great !

thanks,

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:39 am

rseldner wrote:do i toss the old radiator? not sure if ppl recycle them.

You should get a few bucks for it from a scrap metal yard. Prolly more if the plastic is removed. A radiator shop might give you something for it too. Either way, it is more than you would get by pitching it in the trash.