Radiator question.

[SnakeKack]

I noticed a leak of coolant from my car. It collects around the foam sponge strip along the top of the radiator. I looked all over for where the leak was coming from and could not find it until today. I pulled back the foam strip and looked at the top plastic piece of the radiator where the cap connects to. I squeezed the hoze and seen fluid slightly ooze out of a hair line crack in the plastic.

Now I was wondering, the radiator is in good condition but that small crack. Would I be able to replace just the plastic top(the piece that has the crack in it)? or maybe I can patch it with something? (silicone, sealant?)

[MELLO*SOS]

You could probably use some RTV (get the kind for thermostat housings) in the mean time as a temporary fix, but you should replace your radiator asap unless you like replacing head gaskets... I have never heard of just replacing the plastic end tank.

A replacement radiator is fairly cheap, only like $50 to $75 from the junkyard, and around $100-150ish for a new OEM-style replacement (CSF radiators are okay, I just put one in mine)

GL

[Ritz S14]

The thing about a used junk radiator, is that you never know if it's any better than your current leaking one.

If you don't have any money, do a temp fix. How long should the temp be? That depends on how long you'd like to keep your car.

Always good to swap out a thermostat and the radiator cap if possible.

[SoSideways]

You could probably use some RTV (get the kind for thermostat housings) in the mean time as a temporary fix, but you should replace your radiator asap unless you like replacing head gaskets... I have never heard of just replacing the plastic end tank.

A replacement radiator is fairly cheap, only like $50 to $75 from the junkyard, and around $100-150ish for a new OEM-style replacement (CSF radiators are okay, I just put one in mine)

GL

I know someone that got the plastic endtanks on their KA radiator replaced with metal ones.

It's not that uncommon, although when something like that happens, unless you are going to keep the car stock, or you just don't care about your car, when the stock radiator cracks and takes a dump, it's usually a good time to upgrade to an aluminum aftermarket radiator.

Or brass/copper, it's up to you.

[SnakeKack]

Thanks guys. I was thinking of taking a small piece of plactic and Using Silicone II to cover it then silicone the edges. That stuff is real strong.

I will probably just get a new oem radiator soon, but I am curious about the aluminum ones. Any particular brand I should check out?

[wootwoot]

Best bet would be to get a Koyo copper radiator, they have been prooven to cool better than the aluminium because of the fin count.