Leaking radiator pinhole in topheader Fox 88

Radiators are thermoset plastic, so they cannot be welded. They can be heated and reshaped. There are adhesives for this, but not epoxy. They also require training to use successfully. I don't have it. I repaired a thermoset 40 gallon water tank over a year ago as an experiment, using a combination of epoxy product like you may of used to fill the hole. Then I used a 3m product to melt the plastic and installed two 6 inch pure rubber patches on both sides. Because I didn't want chemicals in the water. But this was not for hot water or pressurized. I chose not to experiment on my

85 golf and bought a new radiator because I wish it to remain reliable and any possible tow job will equal the cost of a new radiator... If you absolutely must try something, Because life is sometimes very hard. Here's my stupid repair idea. I,d try some type of radiator sealer if they work in plastic. I just don't know. I doubt it will work, because people complain about plastic radiators all the time. maybe I,d try an egg. Maybe some type of glue like 3M 1300L and a patch. .Its used on aircraft deicing boots , it has MEK in it, and will melt just about any plastic I know about. Or a patch for fixing swimming pools. but for hot water. I have a theory that a plastic radiator can be repaired by drilling a hole where it leaks and installing the right size self tapping screw with a rubber gasket on it and the correct sealer. What's the correct sealer, I don't know. I just don't have time to figure this out. I wouldn't drive far on it anyways. The last stupid repair I did was weld a harmonic balancer on a broken crankshaft to get me a couple of months. because I didn't want to rip the engine apart to change the crank, and I just put tires on it. Its been 4 years now and its still there. I heard radiator shops have a fix for 50 bucks. If its 50 then I will spend 100 for a new radiator. A brand new radiator is 149.95 at parts place for all vws. Rock auto has Valeos at 74.99, Spectras at 99.79, and Proliance at 134.79 Valeo, Sofica, AKG,Visconde,LTDA and Blackstone are all VW OEM.. I have used Autohaus in Arizona. They shipped me a very fragile AC condenser vacuum packed in a box , in another box surrounded by peanuts. very nice shipping. I really never understood the bitching about the plastic radiators until my Geo blew a headgasket and melted the cap off. Mt 85 golf made it till last year , all aluminum. I had to disassemble the whole front end and dismantle the AC because the condenser was bolted together. I do now have working AC in a piece of shit 85 golf diesel. If you have Ac , then I think the radiators bolted to the condenser. Good luck. "Lambert Moonen" wrote in message news:A2HYf.748$ snipped-for-privacy@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...

My '88 Fox had the same issue. No amount of JB Weld would fix it. I replaced the radiator with an all-metal unit for a little under $100. Money well spent IMHO. Don't forget to replace the little rubber mountings, they separate with age and then your radiator rattles around. There is one on each side and a one of a different type on the bottom, if I remember right.

Hi Moony,

I had an '88 Fox that had a metal radiator from the factory. The car actually came from California, and it also had factory AC. Check the junk yards, some of Foxes still might have a metal rad. That probably could be rebuilt by a radiator/AC shop, if it is faulty.

Good luck, Peter

Lambert Mo> I have a 1988 Fox V.W. I have a pinhole leak in the topheader

If Boise, Idaho has a radiator shop, any decent-sized city ought to have one or more places. Just have to find them by checking the phone book and calling around.

in britain they are made of simi;lar material,plastic could you get in a bolt 2 steel washers and 2 rubber washers then a nut ?