Fix that Plastic Radiator
This is for a 2000 Ford Full Size Van but can pertain to other makes with plastic tank radiators.
Steam smelling of ant-freeze coming out from under the hood on a hot day > Oh Great.
12" long hair line crack going down dead center of all the ribs in the plastic radiator top tank.
Guessed no fixing that, bought a new 300 dollar radiator at Advance.
Here at my out of state Florida location, thought I would attempt a temporary quick fix to get by for a few days, before diving in to swap it out.
Prepped with a small stainless steel wire brush and distilled water to get the anti-freeze off the plastic. Let it dry overnight.
Put on a couple layers of Duraglas waterproof body filler to get all the ribs up to a level surface. First step on sealing the long crack.
Let that cure overnight, then put on an outer shell of Fiberglass Resin and Woven Fiberglss Matting to give it strength and hold it together from the expanding engine coolant heat.
Cured overnight, then painted that with catalyzed black single stage paint.
Let that all dry for a couple days.
Has been holding for 3 weeks now in 90° daily heat.
Going to be able to get it back to the Minnesota shop where I can swap out the new radiator, and do a new water pump, new hoses. Possibly new timing chain kit at the same time as long as it will all be accessible.
That's one big *** radiator, used one coming out could be used on the engine run stand to keep fresh engines running cool at first start up.
Win, Win, Win, hope this can help others buy some time.
I thought, I have soldered brass radiator tanks with success, tried this fix for the plastic tank repair and it worked for me.
Keep Cool....
☆☆☆☆☆
This is for a 2000 Ford Full Size Van but can pertain to other makes with plastic tank radiators.
Steam smelling of ant-freeze coming out from under the hood on a hot day > Oh Great.
12" long hair line crack going down dead center of all the ribs in the plastic radiator top tank.
Guessed no fixing that, bought a new 300 dollar radiator at Advance.
Here at my out of state Florida location, thought I would attempt a temporary quick fix to get by for a few days, before diving in to swap it out.
Prepped with a small stainless steel wire brush and distilled water to get the anti-freeze off the plastic. Let it dry overnight.
Put on a couple layers of Duraglas waterproof body filler to get all the ribs up to a level surface. First step on sealing the long crack.
Let that cure overnight, then put on an outer shell of Fiberglass Resin and Woven Fiberglss Matting to give it strength and hold it together from the expanding engine coolant heat.
Cured overnight, then painted that with catalyzed black single stage paint.
Let that all dry for a couple days.
Has been holding for 3 weeks now in 90° daily heat.
Going to be able to get it back to the Minnesota shop where I can swap out the new radiator, and do a new water pump, new hoses. Possibly new timing chain kit at the same time as long as it will all be accessible.
That's one big *** radiator, used one coming out could be used on the engine run stand to keep fresh engines running cool at first start up.
Win, Win, Win, hope this can help others buy some time.
I thought, I have soldered brass radiator tanks with success, tried this fix for the plastic tank repair and it worked for me.
Keep Cool....
☆☆☆☆☆