Radiator fix

====================== Silicone sealant will definitely not work. Epoxy on that type of plastic is highly questionable. I would not try that either. If you are determined, you could try using a soldering iron and a stick of similar plastic to try melting enough material over the hairline crack to seal it that way, but if the material has become sufficiently brittle to crack, the best idea is to replace the radiator. Theoretically you can just replace the tanks if the core is good, but I was unable to find a shop to do that. Just think of what happens if the radiator fails and you don't notice it in time. You'll be replacing at least the head or possibly the engine. Makes it easier to justify the cost of a radiator. Few things can ruin your engine more quickly than overheating.

I tried epoxy and it lasted maybe a day. I even roughed it up with sand paper and cleaned and dried it and it wont hold! So I just bit the bullet and got a new one!

You dont think either will bond if I understand you. Yea a new one is best.

Some radiator shops claim that they can repair plastic tanks. I cannot vouch for them.

I have found some pretty tough cements that will hold when regular epoxies fail New is good, repair might work.

I think if I were bitten by this phenomenon, with a newish car, I would have a custom brass radiator fabricated for the application. Not too expensive, and most likely a cure.

I called JB Weld they said it will work but take 25-30hrs to cure and that it cures to near -60f

I have used RTV silicone, (gray color not clear) before and lasted for a year on a Civic, it was a leak on the underside of the radiotor and not on the top. It was a long time ago and I'm not sure if I applied it on a plastic or metal part.

I tried Permatex's Radiator and Gas Tank Repair putty. It's about $5 I think.

Just have to clean the area well with alcohol and make sure it's dry. I gently sanded the plastic to give the putty something to grab on to. Make sure it's squeaky clean.

I heard about these putty welds not holding, but worked well in this case while the owner waited a week for the mail ordered Koyo radiator while driving local. Didn't bother to see how long it held as soon as the new rad arrived.

That's why for some things I just go local NAPA and pay a bit more for the Modine (now Proliance) with lifetime warranty.

There is also the Quick Solder, haven't tried it:

The plastic top has a hairline crack and leaks, Can Epoxy be used at

My daughter's '97 Sonata V6 did the same thing,..replaced the radiator as the temp out in the west of New south wales (australia) reaches 40c in the shade on a daily basis in summer for weeks. It was frustrating, as these new radiators (some cars have been using them, like BMW them for 20 yrs or so now) are not as good as metal. Its the brittleness with age that stuffs them. In her case it split along where the crimps are on the top tank. Blew its guts badly,..she saved the engine as she saw coolant spraying up onto the windscreen.

Jason

Can one buy a metal replacement radiator for the Camry at, say, Napa?

Michael

Yes, you can get the all aluminum radiators for the following models:

Funny Corollas get the "racing radiators" but Camrys don't. But these racing rads cost at least $299 on sale. And you have to add external ATF coolers.

I like NAPA's Modine or the now renamed Proliance rads. It's close by. But I've used Koyo from

It has shiny plastic tanks but are also less expensive. Seems like good rads too but without the NAPA's lifetime warranty.

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com wrote:

Go to

and have a look.

They offer a number of aftermarket radiators for Camrys.

I dont know that I like the aluminum radiator concept too well. Would much prefer brass as they are generally more resistant to corrosion.

OK, this is the real KOYO site. The last one was only a resaler. Fake!

The "all aluminum" racing rad dissipates more heat than the regular stock one with plastic tanks. Koyo makes brass rads, but for older applications only that I could find.

NAPA sells the Modine (now Proliance) with a lifetime warranty. I've used both Modine and Koyo. But going to a NAPA store is more convenient than waiting for e-tailer shipment for Koyo.

snipped-for-privacy@nospam.nix wrote:

Fake!

That pliii.com website doesn't say... is the Proliance an aluminum radiator?

Where can the Koyo be bought...? Is it mail order only? And about how much do they sell for?

Michael

If you go into the catalog at that site, you can find the part numbers for your application. Click on the number, and it will take you to a description. The ones I checked are aluminum cores with plastic tanks.

sells Koyo. Check this picture for the $124.79 Koyo (alum/plastic):

http://67.129.153.73/CGv2Production/Pictures/Toyota%20J-Pegs%5C16400-03061.jpg And the $110.89 Proliance alum/plastic:

?partnum=432363 However, with shipping figured into it, it might be cheaper just to go to your local NAPA and get the Proliance (Modine and Transpro merged). And you'll get a lifetime warranty. Local Koyo outlets are much harder to find.

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com wrote:

Fake!

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BTW, I wouldn't recommend Spectra Premium. I order one and it was a Koyo reboxed! I order another it was a poorly made SPI rad that I had to return because it looked like a toy. So it depends on the batch, you might get a good rad or not.

I just trust either Proliance (used to be the Modine, TransPro, and ReadyRad lines) or Koyo much more.

snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com wrote:

?partnum=432363>

Fake!

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