Halp.

"Khalbali" (khalbali) 07/29/2016 at 00:43 • Filed to: None

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Just wondering if any OPPOs have successfully patched a radiator leak and if so, what you used. The $600 geo has a conviniently located leak right on top of the radiator and while I could get a new one for like $60 I kinda want to try patching it first as (A) money is extremely tight right now and (B) the point of the car was the absolute cheapest DD possible.

Pictured: what I wish it looked like.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Khalbali 07/29/2016 at 00:51

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True story: my Tercel had a crack in the radiator right at the lip where the cap tightens. Was a nightmare for a while. Then one day on a whim, I swapped caps between it and my pickup (which was old OEM and fit better). Never leaked again. I tried soldering it twice and failed miserably...

TL;DR I miss my Tercel

PS - Your car is ruined. I’ll take it off your hands.

DanZman > Khalbali 07/29/2016 at 00:52

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a friend of mine has had good luck with JB Weld. at least I think thats what he said he used. It was some sort of epoxy

lone_liberal > Khalbali 07/29/2016 at 00:54

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I think usually to really repair them you would have to braze/solder the hole. I’ve never done it personally but I’m willing to bet there are tutorials on YouTube.

sony1492 > Khalbali 07/29/2016 at 00:56

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Ive put a smooth fitting into a threaded port, I used jb weld or an off-brand equivilent(I dont remember). It was doing 100% of the water sealing because the fitting was basically jammed into a threaded port of similar size. Drove it like that for a month with no issue, then I replaced it.

DipodomysDeserti > Khalbali 07/29/2016 at 00:57

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I patched a small leak in the fins on an SBC 350 with JB Weld. Put a bunch in the crack with a toothpick and let it sit for at least a day.

El Darto > Khalbali 07/29/2016 at 01:15

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As much as I hate it, Bars stop leak does work pretty damn well.

Birddog > Khalbali 07/29/2016 at 02:01

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JB Weld and other epoxy stuff is a very temporary fix. It will work but keep a spare kit with you just in case.

Im guessing a junk yard is out of the question? Those were basically Corollas. You may get lucky in the $15-$25 range.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Khalbali 07/29/2016 at 02:12

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How bad is the leak? Distilled water is pretty cheap. True story, I drove my MJ for five months going through about a gallon per hour. Once the level dropped far enough it stopped leaking, too... but it did also get kinda hot at times. Hey, nearly free hot flush, though...

AdverseMartyr > Khalbali 07/29/2016 at 03:15

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When you say it has a leak at the top, is it in the fins or is it in the very top. I had an Isuzu which had a fiberglass-reinforced nylon top, and nothing would fix that once it cracked.

VonBootWilly - Likes Toyota, but it's still complicated. > Khalbali 07/29/2016 at 05:52

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If you want to try driving it without coolant pressure, sometimes just leaving the cap loose is a good temporary solution for the time being if the car lets you get away with it.

random001 > Khalbali 07/29/2016 at 06:17

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Came here to say “Yep, I used a replacement radiator.” But then I read the post, so JB Weld.

brianbrannon > Khalbali 07/30/2016 at 13:22

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Jb weld will work if you clean the surface and let it sit for 24 hours. Acid core solder is applied with a torch, also effective. If the plastic is cracked try melting a zip tie into the crack with a soldering iron