My buddy has a 91 3.1 liter RS.(i have been trying to get him to join) Anyways, his radiator has a crack in the driver side tank. The crack runs up and down and is about an inch long. Is there any kind of repair possible besides pulling the radiator. I have seen some plastic repair kits for radiator tanks, are they any good? Thanks


p.s. Does anyone else notice it can be hard for a v6 guy to get an answer in other forums. Maybe its me just me

 

My 85 had a small crack in it. I have found that the tubes of Alumnaseal work well when sealing them. If the crack is too big for that, I would try to apply a layer of silicone over the crack. The best stuff that I can think of is called Goop. It is usually available at Home Depot.

 

will that alumnaseal work on plastic? I thought about trying some silicone. It is pretty high up on the radiator. Will heat be a factor?

 

Easiet solution is to replace it CHEAP!
I found a brand new aluminum V-8 radiator for only $30 in the wrecking yard. So have many others!
I chose from 15 examples, down to 10, then final 4.
It takes about 2 minutes to remove a radiator from a wrecked car in the yard (IT'S NOT YOUR CAR, HACKSAW ALL THE HOSES IT FEELS GREAT!!!!!).
Best solution.

Only need look for one rad that doesn't leak, no cracks & the car has newer cooling parts.

Many cars before they hit yard have lots of new parts thrown at them, one final gasp for life!

Look inside for signs of dirt, very easy to tell. Use a flashlight!
Look at removal area for signs of leakage, too.
Eventually you'll find it!
V-8 size FITS PERFECT & IS LARGER, Just what ya need!
Repairing costs more, too!
BUT can be done PROPERLY!
Others, tho, have had bad results from repairs.

Ryan found a new brass one & has great results with his choice.
I had a brass one & it was trash. And my repairs cost me $65! But I have found great repair work in East LA for only $25 a repair job per radiator.

My solution was in the wrecking yards on a rainy/drizzle day (less crowds!)

 

I wouldn't try to replace just the side tank. I tried to do that after my accident; I even bought a new gasket for it for $2. I followed GM's re-crimp sequence exactly, and the thing still leaked at the seam. I went over the crimping tabs again, same sequence, but harder- it leaked even worse! I tried to undo the tabs and some started breaking- so I said F it, and got a junkyard one. The thing looked brand new; the yard guy even told me "you lucked out on this one!"

 

I used some jb weld stuff, along with seal all, if its an inch long, mine was closer to that size maybe a little bit bigger go buy another rad. ITs not worth the effort. JB weld lasted a week-2weeks. Its a good quick fix if you don't mind pouring water in every 3 days.

But like I said its not worth it. Get a new one save the hassel.