I noticed a crack toward the top of the radiator which sprays out coolant after driving for a little bit. I tried two different bottles of radiator sealant, but it did nothing at all to fix it. Ive heard rumours that you can put some kind of silicone over the crack and it will provide a working seal for 100k+ miles, but I wasnt sure if its true or not. Any ideas on how I can fix it?

If it helps I drive an 89 Firebird with a 2.8L V6

 

Honestly I personally think youll be better off with a new one I dont play around with radiators Too much of an important aspect of the car to Rig but thats just my .02

 

The thing is I really dont want to put any more money into the car. Ive already put well over $2000 into the engine as well as the strut tower recently to keep the car from collapsing. I also have next to nothing for money right now, thats why Im looking for a cheap alternative.

Unfortunately the car itself isnt in too great of shape to begin with- Im just trying to hold it together untill I save up for a different car in better shape with more power, like a GTA.

 

I also forgot to mention that Ive been refilling the reservoir with coolant after every leak. I try to drive the car as little as I can, but am I risking damaging anything while driving the car like this and the coolant spraying under the hood?

 

You can buy just the plastic side tanks, about $36 from AC Delco. A rad shop can also do it for much less than a replacement. A high temp epoxy can be used but the coolant must be completely out of the area to be repaired. Unless you are always close to home I would opt to fix it rather than throw a patch on.

 

protect your investment of $2000 and get a new radiator.

just a thought

 

I guess Im going to spring for a new radiator now that I think of all the money I already put into the car. Until I get the money to purchase one however, what is the best way to deal with the crack in the radiator and the coolant leaking out. I got a new job and will have to drive back and forth for a while until I get a paycheck so I wasnt sure of what to do about the situation. Should I just fill the tank every time it gets really low and park the car away from everyone else so they dont see the trail of coolant running from under my car?

 

You can avoid pressure buy driving it with the cap off for short distances. Be sure to keep containers of extra water in the car with you so you can avoid overheating.

 

The cap to the radiator, or the cap to the reservoir?

 

The radiator cap is the one that holds the pressure.

 

I had a friend check out the crack and he told me If I put a new radiator in, then I could risk cracking that one too because something is causing too much pressure to build up and thats how the crack was made. What are some of the things I should check in regards to this- does this have anything to do with the thermostat or the tubes being clogged(which I think may be the case). It also seems to me that the more I drive my car, the quicker it takes for it to over heat. I remember a few months ago I drove it two hours nonstop going 85 on the highway to the beach and the temperature gauge inside the car stay at about 200 and never rose above that. Now when I drive it for about 5 minutes the gauge goes right up past 220.

So I guess my question is what should I look for in regards to the radiator building up too much pressure that would cause it to crack?

 

There is also two bottles of radiator sealant for the most part still inside the radiator which I think is clogging up the system. Im guessing that I should also flush the radiator too?

 

Cracks are fairly common with plastic side tanks and it's just a function of age for the most part. If you get a rad or get the old one fixed get one of those Prestone flush kits. Pull out the stat and follow the directions to flush. The reason it is overheating now assuming you are running the old rad is LACK of pressure. System pressure is what keeps the boiling point of the coolant higher. Replace the cap and stat anytime you change coolant or service the system.

 

I really appreciate all the help everyone has given- Im going to try the suggestions and see if they work out