With the right tools,
fixing a leaky plastic radiator is an easy way to remedy radiator
issues while waiting for a replacement radiator to arrive. The first
step, of course, is to locate the source of the leak.
The most obvious sign of
a leak is steam erupting from a certain area on the radiator. If you
don’t notice anything of this sort, wash the radiator and the hoses
clean, fill the radiator up and wait for it to dry, then start the
engine. Pressure buildup in the system will make leaks appear as wet
spots on the radiator.
Once you’ve identified
the source of the leaks, allow everything to cool off. Two options
are best for repairing leaks on plastic radiators: plastic radiator
repair epoxy or airless plastic welding. The former uses a two-part
epoxy designed specifically to bind well with the type of plastic
used for constructing radiators.
After cleaning the site
of the leak thoroughly, mix the epoxy in equal parts and apply it
liberally to the site. Leave the epoxy to set properly overnight
before you top up the radiator with fluid and start the engine.
With the second option, a
special tool is needed to melt the plastic before applying and mixing
in a similar plastic to seal the leak. This type of repair is usually
much more resilient than epoxy and should last long after you have a
spare radiator on hand to permanently remedy the issue.
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