Super Glue as temporary radiator repair?

[JHZR2]

Plastic radiators are most likely a low surface energy plastic, so needs a very special epoxy. This is why JB and others don't work well and per the vendors are not recommended.

Here's a good white paper:

https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media...ng-to-low-surface-energy-white-paper.pdf

A thread I wrote:

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/printthread/Board/8/main/252086/type/thread

If nothing else I'd scuff and flame treat the crack area before applying an epoxy.

 

[Railrust]

I've had some good luck with the two part epoxy from JB Weld. Used it on a radiator once, held fine. Used it on a gas tank three years ago (top was cracked and leaking). Check engine light never came back on..no leaks, no smell. Was really surprised it worked.

 

[berniedd]

Originally Posted by JHZR2
Plastic radiators are most likely a low surface energy plastic, so needs a very special epoxy. This is why JB and others don't work well and per the vendors are not recommended.

Here's a good white paper:

https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media...ng-to-low-surface-energy-white-paper.pdf

A thread I wrote:

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/printthread/Board/8/main/252086/type/thread

If nothing else I'd scuff and flame treat the crack area before applying an epoxy.


Good read on low surface energy plastic mending. I did some Internet reading on these 3M 8005 and 8010 adhesives and, reading in between the technical gobbledygook specs (to my feeble mind), they don't seem to lend themselves well to 100 degree C applications. Maybe there are other suitable adhesives for these temps?

Note: I did the JB weld. I roughed up the surface plastic with 100 grit sandpaper, slapped on the JBW and waited 18 hours before using the car. It held up but, needless to say, I had the shop replace the radiator after 3 days.

 

[Bonnelvr92]

Do not use super glue as a temporary radiator fix. The glue will melt on the radiator and then it will mess up your radiator even more, and if that stuff gets in your coolant, it can mess up your engine too.
So just use another car at the time, and save the money to get a new radiator. If you really need it you can go to a junk yard and get one that fits your car.

 

[kschachn]

Never mind. Not going to make a difference.