Why you should not repair your own radiator
#1
Mountain Rotary Mod
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Why you should not repair your own radiator
I had a small crack in my radiator that I used epoxy to seal. It worked well until yesterday when one of my fan belts broke. this is the result:
![](https://www.rx7club.com/attachments/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/103436-why-you-should-not-repair-your-own-radiator-radiator-001.jpg)
![](https://www.rx7club.com/attachments/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/103437-why-you-should-not-repair-your-own-radiator-radiator-002.jpg)
Luckily a local guy had an extra radiator, so I'm back up and running today.![bgth](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/biggthumpup.gif)
Random shots of my car...
![](https://www.rx7club.com/attachments/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/103438-why-you-should-not-repair-your-own-radiator-radiator-003.jpg)
![](https://www.rx7club.com/attachments/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/103436-why-you-should-not-repair-your-own-radiator-radiator-001.jpg)
![](https://www.rx7club.com/attachments/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/103437-why-you-should-not-repair-your-own-radiator-radiator-002.jpg)
Luckily a local guy had an extra radiator, so I'm back up and running today.
![bgth](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/biggthumpup.gif)
Random shots of my car...
![](https://www.rx7club.com/attachments/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/103438-why-you-should-not-repair-your-own-radiator-radiator-003.jpg)
![](https://www.rx7club.com/attachments/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/103439-why-you-should-not-repair-your-own-radiator-radiator-004.jpg)
Last edited by Parastie; 03-28-05 at 01:15 PM.
#6
Carter 2.0
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After blowing my top radiator hose. I am not messing around anymore with cooling systems. I went the cheap way as well, I didn't replace the coolant hoses or water pump. I almost burned up my brand new motor with only 406 miles on it. Luckily when the hose blew and the hood seemed to lift about 4 inches and it sounded like an explosion under there. I pulled off and killed it. It still runs fine but that was a close one.
Now.....new water pump, fan clutch, thermostat, radiator cap, top and bottem hoses, pressure tested b4 putting all the fans and shroud on.
Its funny, you stop one leak in these old cars and 27 more weak spots show themselves.
Now.....new water pump, fan clutch, thermostat, radiator cap, top and bottem hoses, pressure tested b4 putting all the fans and shroud on.
Its funny, you stop one leak in these old cars and 27 more weak spots show themselves.
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#8
Lava Surfer
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Originally Posted by nopistons
I'm confused. How is the broken fan belt connected to you having repaired the radiator and your thread's title?????????
#10
Engine, Not Motor
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Originally Posted by SirCygnus
just get it welded shut dude.
That said, any rad shop can usually replace the tanks (generally with copper or brass).
#11
Lava Surfer
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Originally Posted by Aaron Cake
The end tanks are plastic.
That said, any rad shop can usually replace the tanks (generally with copper or brass).
That said, any rad shop can usually replace the tanks (generally with copper or brass).
#12
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Originally Posted by nopistons
I'm confused. How is the broken fan belt connected to you having repaired the radiator and your thread's title?????????
I can get my A/C and my Power Steering nice and tight due to the screw adjustments. Bu the smog and Alt are a different story. More the Alt than anything else. I can get a good pry on the smog pump but I feel that I ma going to damage something on the Alt. Maybe that is why many have problems with the water pump slipping when the smog pump is removed.
#15
I'm a boost creep...
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It constantly amazes me how many people have never heard of plastic welding... ![Confused](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/confused.gif)
You could repair it that way, but it is likely that the tanks are brittle due to age, so another crack will eventually form elsewhere.
Don't just jump into buying an expensive aftermarket radiator for an NA without comparing the cost of a stock replacement. The same radiator handles modded turbos (i.e. over 200hp) and has proven itself to last 15+ years. Unless you live in a really hot climate or do lots of racing, it's not really money well spent.
![Confused](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/confused.gif)
You could repair it that way, but it is likely that the tanks are brittle due to age, so another crack will eventually form elsewhere.
Don't just jump into buying an expensive aftermarket radiator for an NA without comparing the cost of a stock replacement. The same radiator handles modded turbos (i.e. over 200hp) and has proven itself to last 15+ years. Unless you live in a really hot climate or do lots of racing, it's not really money well spent.
#16
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Colorado in the summer gets hot. Plus there are lot of hills and they are killer on cooling systems.
NZ I am not sure of your point. Don't waste money on after market is ok. But why would you risk it with cooling system?? Plastic welds are just a band aid. I am sure it just the symantics that is throwing me off cause you are usually solid with info.
NZ I am not sure of your point. Don't waste money on after market is ok. But why would you risk it with cooling system?? Plastic welds are just a band aid. I am sure it just the symantics that is throwing me off cause you are usually solid with info.
#17
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heh, I never heard of plastic welding before. What's the process? Anyways, that's a pretty good crack. Though, it's cool that you got it up and running quick...congrats.
Edit: Just a band aid?....well then..hahaa
Edit: Just a band aid?....well then..hahaa
#18
I had a similar problem last summer. On the way home from work, the fuse for my e-fan jiggled loose and it shut off. It soon over heated and blew the top tank, sounded like the motor blew when it went. Now I have a new fuse holder so it wont happen again.
#20
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Originally Posted by jhammons01
NZ I am not sure of your point.
Plastic welds are just a band aid.
Originally Posted by Mura
I never heard of plastic welding before. What's the process?
As a semi-relevant example, many body shops will repair damaged plastic bumpers this way. The repair is usually undetectable once painted.
#21
Jesus is the Messiah
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The same exact thing happend to the plastic end caps of the radiator in my 'vert.
First it craked a little
Then I epoxied it, and it lasted a nice long time
Then, it blasted the 'square' out and cracked all the way across X_X
Antifreeze EVERYWHERE
I have a new radiator, this one is 100% copper![Smilie](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I guess it's cool that the stock rad lasted 15 years, but I still dont think so highly of plastic endcaps :p
I also assume its better that the plastic cap blows up first, as opposed to something internal to the engine :O
First it craked a little
Then I epoxied it, and it lasted a nice long time
Then, it blasted the 'square' out and cracked all the way across X_X
Antifreeze EVERYWHERE
I have a new radiator, this one is 100% copper
![Smilie](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I guess it's cool that the stock rad lasted 15 years, but I still dont think so highly of plastic endcaps :p
I also assume its better that the plastic cap blows up first, as opposed to something internal to the engine :O
#22
Mountain Rotary Mod
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I replaced my stock radiator with another stock radiator. I paid $40 for it, not bad since i was in a rush.
Currently I'm saving for rebuild and can't afford an aftermarket radiator, although someday when it's a turbo vert, it will have an aftermarket radiator.
Currently I'm saving for rebuild and can't afford an aftermarket radiator, although someday when it's a turbo vert, it will have an aftermarket radiator.
#23
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Originally Posted by NZConvertible
Don't just jump into buying an expensive aftermarket radiator for an NA without comparing the cost of a stock replacement. The same radiator handles modded turbos (i.e. over 200hp) and has proven itself to last 15+ years. Unless you live in a really hot climate or do lots of racing, it's not really money well spent.
#24
Engine, Not Motor
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Originally Posted by NZConvertible
It constantly amazes me how many people have never heard of plastic welding... ![Confused](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/confused.gif)
![Confused](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/confused.gif)
![Smilie](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)