Miata List Archive

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: peterchase2 ((email redacted))

[this was a MIME-encoded message - it has been]
[filtered of non-plaintext attachments by ALF ]


Has anyone ever successfully repaired a small crack in the plastic of the top of an M1 radiator? I have a very small crack near the radiator cap that seeps (but doesn't spray) out coolant when under pressure. I only have to add a few ounces of coolant a week to keep it topped off and my gauge never goes over the middle of the range, but I know it's not going to get better and I'm sure it keeps the cooling system from properly pressurizing. So far, I've tried a 5 minute epoxy gel and JB Quickweld (4 min), but the leak just snuck under and around the epoxy. I also have some Permatex Gas Tank and Radiator repair putty that I know cures rock hard, but I haven't used it yet because I'm not sure if it's OK for plastic. Is there a better product to be using for this type of plastic or should I just start looking at a new radiator?
Thanks,
Pete


[ALF: attachment (type="text/html") removed from message]

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: mriches (Michael Riches)

I tried, and failed. I had to buy a new radiator. In the end, fussing
around wasn't worth it as more than a day by day solution - replacing the
radiator was very quick and easy work. It took about two hours, and that's
with going to the store halfway through to buy an extra hose for the
replacement.

The crack on mine started small, but was bigger by the time the
replacement arrived. No type of welding or putty was able to hold for
very long. The replacement has a metal top, not a plastic one. Hope this
information helps.

-Mike Riches
(email redacted)

On Sun, 12 Oct 2003 (email redacted) wrote:

> [this was a MIME-encoded message - it has been]
> [filtered of non-plaintext attachments by ALF ]
>
>
> Has anyone ever successfully repaired a small crack in the plastic of the top of an M1 radiator? I have a very small crack near the radiator cap that seeps (but doesn't spray) out coolant when under pressure. I only have to add a few ounces of coolant a week to keep it topped off and my gauge never goes over the middle of the range, but I know it's not going to get better and I'm sure it keeps the cooling system from properly pressurizing. So far, I've tried a 5 minute epoxy gel and JB Quickweld (4 min), but the leak just snuck under and around the epoxy. I also have some Permatex Gas Tank and Radiator repair putty that I know cures rock hard, but I haven't used it yet because I'm not sure if it's OK for plastic. Is there a better product to be using for this type of plastic or should I just start looking at a new radiator?
> Thanks,
> Pete
>
>
> [ALF: attachment (type="text/html") removed from message]
>
> _______________________________________________
> Miata mailing list
> (email redacted)
> realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/miata
>

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Larry (Larry Alster)

Get a new radiator. Patching it is futile. If it's cracked there and you
successfully patch it, don't you think it's ready to crack somewhere else??

You can buy an aftermarket "stock" radiator, all metal, for under 200 bucks
if you shop. Try a Google search.

Larry

White Knight 1991 Crystal White #99 CSP
Silver Bullet 1992 Silverstone #17 EM BEGI System IV Turbo +
Honey B 1992 Sunburst Yellow

LowCountry Miata lowcountrymiataclub.net
Masters Miata
RAGS 074

----- Original Message -----
From: <(email redacted)>
To: "Miata" <(email redacted)>
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2003 3:49 PM
Subject: [Miata] Radiator repair?


> [this was a MIME-encoded message - it has been]
> [filtered of non-plaintext attachments by ALF ]
>
>
> Has anyone ever successfully repaired a small crack in the plastic of the
top of an M1 radiator? I have a very small crack near the radiator cap that
seeps (but doesn't spray) out coolant when under pressure. I only have to
add a few ounces of coolant a week to keep it topped off and my gauge never
goes over the middle of the range, but I know it's not going to get better
and I'm sure it keeps the cooling system from properly pressurizing. So
far, I've tried a 5 minute epoxy gel and JB Quickweld (4 min), but the leak
just snuck under and around the epoxy. I also have some Permatex Gas Tank
and Radiator repair putty that I know cures rock hard, but I haven't used it
yet because I'm not sure if it's OK for plastic. Is there a better product
to be using for this type of plastic or should I just start looking at a new
radiator?
> Thanks,
>
Pete
>
>
> [ALF: attachment (type="text/html") removed from message]
>
> _______________________________________________
> Miata mailing list
> (email redacted)
> realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/miata

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: mriches (Michael Riches)

Hi Peter,

I neglected to mention in my previous message, that I purchased my
replacement from www.radiatorexpress.com for about $120 or so. Shipping
was less than a week I believe.

-Mike Riches
(email redacted)

On Sun, 12 Oct 2003, Larry Alster wrote:

> charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Get a new radiator. Patching it is futile. If it's cracked there and you
> successfully patch it, don't you think it's ready to crack somewhere else??
>
> You can buy an aftermarket "stock" radiator, all metal, for under 200 bucks
> if you shop. Try a Google search.
>
> Larry
>
> White Knight 1991 Crystal White #99 CSP
> Silver Bullet 1992 Silverstone #17 EM BEGI System IV Turbo +
> Honey B 1992 Sunburst Yellow
>
> LowCountry Miata lowcountrymiataclub.net
> Masters Miata
> RAGS 074
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <(email redacted)>
> To: "Miata" <(email redacted)>
> Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2003 3:49 PM
> Subject: [Miata] Radiator repair?
>
>
> > [this was a MIME-encoded message - it has been]
> > [filtered of non-plaintext attachments by ALF ]
> >
> >
> > Has anyone ever successfully repaired a small crack in the plastic of the
> top of an M1 radiator? I have a very small crack near the radiator cap that
> seeps (but doesn't spray) out coolant when under pressure. I only have to
> add a few ounces of coolant a week to keep it topped off and my gauge never
> goes over the middle of the range, but I know it's not going to get better
> and I'm sure it keeps the cooling system from properly pressurizing. So
> far, I've tried a 5 minute epoxy gel and JB Quickweld (4 min), but the leak
> just snuck under and around the epoxy. I also have some Permatex Gas Tank
> and Radiator repair putty that I know cures rock hard, but I haven't used it
> yet because I'm not sure if it's OK for plastic. Is there a better product
> to be using for this type of plastic or should I just start looking at a new
> radiator?
> > Thanks,
> >
> Pete
> >
> >
> > [ALF: attachment (type="text/html") removed from message]
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Miata mailing list
> > (email redacted)
> > realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/miata
>
> _______________________________________________
> Miata mailing list
> (email redacted)
> realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/miata
>

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Wemazur6 ((email redacted))

[this was a MIME-encoded message - it has been]
[filtered of non-plaintext attachments by ALF ]


My attempt at repair failed too. My problem was a leaking seal (which is
under the perimeter of the plastic top). Over time the crack allowed more and
more coolant to seep out without drawing more from the reservoir. Finally it
was so low on coolant it began to overheat significantly. Definitely not worth
playing with. Got a good deal from Radiator Doctor....

Bill



[ALF: attachment (type="text/html") removed from message]