Radiator crack..

[kudkudniyog]

Besides replacing the radiator, What is the next best option to patch up a radiator crack? Are the sides of our radiator plastic or aluminum? I have a 92RS.

TY

[Ryan]

The caps are plastic, which, btw, was a design flaw.

Just pick up a J/Y rad, or buy a new one. Anything else is just a patch job. System sees upto 15 PSI and 105 degrees C, so whatever repair you choose must hold up to that.

[crazchino]

there's that stuff u pour in and it seals it. u can also try to use that .. not epoxy but same idea of stuff. it's a metal version.

[crazchino]

some kinda putty. they use it to fix pipes.

[Dragyn Vyrus]

there's that stuff u pour in and it seals it. u can also try to use that .. not epoxy but same idea of stuff. it's a metal version.

never use that stuff. its a temp fix, its like using a spare tire, put in and go to shop. that stop leak crap will start to clog up your cooling system and then possibly further damage such as popping a water pump. get a new rad /end thread.

[Nd4SpdSe]

I Don't remember what my dad used, but he did a patch on the '90 626 and my sister's '93 Prelude and both held. The Prelude met it's demise a few years later, but I swear that the patch on the 626 was onfora good 3-4 years before the car itself was retired/junk. I remember him trying a few different materials and sealants until he found one that worked. The 626 cracked right on top, while on my sisters it broke off at a mounting bracket, which was much more of a pain since it wasn't a flat surface, but he still managed to do it.

[youdirtyfox]

you can use a chemical metal sealent to fix small leaks.

[Daninski]

There's a liquid rad stop leak that does work and I've had no problems with my system plugging up but that's my experience. If the sides are plastic and they're what's leaking there is a crimping tool that you re-squeeze the metal tabs with that will sometimes fix the problem. I ordered a new rad from Radiators.com for $199 I think and had it next day.