How to Repair a Leaking Car Radiator -Busted Plastic Side Top Tank

[@sixtyfiveford]

Repair a Crack in a Radiator Quick Video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZrHdoGkgpmJgdU Basic Soldering Iron: amzn.to/3wylybK Pro Weller soldering Gun: amzn.to/3odvNyA #2 Gasket Sealant: amzn.to/3oeUsTp #3 Aviation Gasket Sealant: amzn.to/3EW42kI MAN size JB WELD Tubes: amzn.to/3kkTRhK BARS LEAK pellets THIS STUFF WORKS!: amzn.to/3n0gt90 Total Job took around 30-45minutes, minus the overnight JB Weld Drying time. Sand/scuff the surface well for good JB WELD adhesion and don't use the quick drying stuff as it won't hold up. With just an outside repair I highly recommend the BARS LEAK Pellets as they will cure any small pinholes or future leaks. I'm sure others may work but it's the only one I trust and will also fix the Aluminum Core if it has leaks. SUPPORT THE CHANNEL or support the SHOP DOG's treat addiction: Buy Ginger a new bone: www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=NS699E56WTYHL instagram.com/sixtyfiveford/ facebook.com/sixtyfiveford/

[@CalGarian-qn9pw]

Thank you, you just helped me save the radiator on a basically extinct car that is really hard to find parts for.

[@jacknevitt7384]

I never realized those plastic radiators could be repaired. I just assumed they were “throwaway” like so many other parts these days. Great video and information!

[@sixtyfiveford]

I'll admit that sometimes parts are so cheap it's not worth repairing but I still try if for nothing more than entertainment value.

[@emeltea33]

@@sixtyfiveford it's still a great skill building exercise. Especially when you can use it on other applications; think you've done plastic body panels, no? Thanks for taking the time to share!

[@boosted2.4_sky]

You can fix them... but for $50-$60... it probably isn't even worth it... these radiators are pretty inexpensive if you buy it... a shop will charge you $200 for it but you can buy them online for cheap...

[@robertgreatsinger9179]

Different issue I just pick this to watch and use for question. With an aluminum pedestal on mower deck , threads stripped . Do I use aluminum weld putty , drill larger and set with plastic bolt of spec threads ?

[@vincemajestyk9497]

@@sixtyfiveford About 10 years ago they were throwaways. Not so much now. Back then I bought a really nice Canadian made one for my '86 Pontiac wagon for a little over $100, maybe $120. Still in there. Now I was looking for one for one of my other cars (that has a brass-copper rad) and they're about 2 1/2 times what they were. The cheap Chinese 'all' aluminum ones look like they were fabricated in Herman Munster's dungeon and they aren't that cheap anymore.

[@evelyndavis5102]

Thank you so much for this information! My husband passed of Covid a year ago and I'm left to do repairs. The shop was going to charge me $2300 that I don't have to do the same exact repair you just did and now I just did. Thank you again.

[@joeym1635]

I'm sorry, but thats way too much money for that.

[@oldgamer1330]

Good for you to be doing these repairs yourself, we don't all have money to burn.

[@Bandwidth24]

Thanks my gasket was seeping, tightened up the tabs with pliers and good to go! Saved big bucks!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Great job!

[@AJ12Gamer]

Thank you sooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!! Your the only one on KZbin on how to repair the plastic end caps. You saved me some money. ❤️ $50 is still worth saving especially if you don't have $50 extra to spend.

[@amaradasakarunaratne1419]

Excellent explanation and demonstration. Long live our Radiator Specialist with good health, big wealth and utmost happiness!

[@D2O2]

This brings back memories of the summer I spent working at a radiator manufacturer who also did repairs. It was my job to replace plastic tanks that were damaged but the cores were otherwise good. We would even pop tanks off radiators that were gelled up when Dex Cool came on the scene to clean them out. We had a fixture that would hold the core and apply pressure to the tank while crimping the tabs.

[@sixtyfiveford]

That's neat.

[@vincemajestyk9497]

Oh yeah, Dexcool. That's that OAT garbage. Most of the stuff now is HOAT, I think it's called 'Global'. The old green was OK if you changed it. Didn't rot everything. Dexcool problems are when it gets exposed to air or contaminated.

[@hansomguysam8221]

That is great good information to fix the radiator.God bless you

[@yodasbff3395]

I really like the way you fix things. It's good to see Ginger has recovered from her injury and seems as frisky as ever, she is a sweetheart. 👍👍👍

[@sixtyfiveford]

Yeah, still has plenty of bounce left in her.

[@mechantics]

Thanks man, you've relieved me of any skepticism as to the durability of this repair method. While it's no mercedes, I have pledged not to invest another $120+ into a 15 year old dodge grand caravan that's driven just over 220,000 miles...25k of which was racked up after the van was " totaled" in a 4 car pileup on i95. Hopefully by morning, the Nissan murano radiator being held in with rachet straps and zipties will be replaced with my original piece of plastic junk! NOTE TO ALL: Since I got my first jar of that permatex aviation sealer, I've never looked back. It's something no mechanic or diyer should be without!

[@russtang]

Awesome repair. I was able to find an all-aluminum replacement radiator for my old truck for under $200. But like you said, totally would go this route if replacement cost was $1k or something crazy. Great tip on the screen door trick and the gasket sealer!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Hey Thanks. The piece of mind with a solid aluminum radiator is worth it.

[@james10739]

And just good to keep in the back of your mind if you need your truck tomorrow and it broke today and you don't have the money especially for a new one at the parts store since it will be twice as much even if it's temporary but ya it is crazy how cheap China can make things like for my suburban I can get an all aluminum one for $200 the smaller 28" like for the trucks is like $130 but champion radiators is a good American company that I believe makes them in house it's only $60 more I don't know if there is shipping probably but still I'd keep them In mind they specialize in classic cars but have a lot of the big models like for suburbans up to 2014 well that went off on a tangent

[@rylordrylord7347]

Hell yeah mine was 2,5k to fix mine

[@michaelgalbreath8407]

​@@sixtyfiveford😊. 😊😊😊😊. 😊 😊😊. L

[@michaelgalbreath8407]

​@@sixtyfivefordppppl

[@STAY-GOLD-VINYL]

What a straightforward video on radiator repair! I’ll have to try the crimping down tabs to stop a leak. Hope it works

[@strongandco]

Man that's crazy. I had no idea that's how simply the plastic ends are sealed onto the main rad. Great video

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks for watching!

[@sergioflores7169]

You can also use fine steel wool if you don't have screen mess on hand. It worked for me. Good info!

[@agentcovert]

Great video as usual..I'm certain he could fix the Titanic or Hindenburg if he had too..If only he was on Gilligan's Ireland to help Ginger & Maryann.. He clearly shows that items that are considered a write off can be placed back in service if someone choses to do so..For his tenacity I tip my hat to him..Bravo..

[@sixtyfiveford]

Hey Thanks. Ginger/Maryann, I'd be stuck on an island with them.

[@lja1229]

You just saved me alot of money. Mine was leaking by the clips and i just crimped them down alittle bit and it stopped the leak. Fantastic.

[@howder1951]

Nicely done. I used epoxy and fibreglass on repairs with luck, and lately I have had a bit of success with the solder gun and filler. I am ready to try the mesh imbedding and making the surface eater. Enjoyed the video, cheers!

[@sixtyfiveford]

The mesh really helps for long term durability.

[@mostlymoparih5682]

Excellent video. Some commenting here say radiators are cheap enough to just buy a new one but they are most likely Chinese cheap ones. I would rather repair then buy from them. If you're fixing a car for someone on a fixed budget this helps save them money. I have fixed radiators in the past when the tanks were metal and thought these newer ones were throw away. Again great video thanks for sharing this cost saving tip. Happy Motoring.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

I have used a mini torch and even a hot butter knife to seal plastic cracks but never thought to use a mesh reinforcement which is a great idea.😎👍

[@sixtyfiveford]

Hot knife, I like it.

[@Kotaztrafee]

Do you think copper mesh is a good idea?

[@ROBMCKISSOCK]

Don't use brake clean because it will make the plastic brittle, carburetor cleaner is better

[@ebutuoyebutouy]

Yup. Brake cleaner is potent. Electrical Cleaner (Safety Solvent) also works.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Very true. I use carb cleaner for everything as it's 1/4 the cost of brake cleaners.

[@bigd2203snuffy]

I pulled the plastic end caps off my Geo Tracker radiator. The thing was clogged up and was overheating. Took a piece of bandsaw blade and ground off the teeth. Used that to push all the crap out of the tubes. Only about 5 of the tubes were clear all the rest were full of buildup. Crimped the edges and back in business! Wish I would have known about fixing the plastic when my Tacoma radiator split open.

[@sixtyfiveford]

It's amazing how clogged up these can get.

[@hddm3]

That dog should of been the world champion of obstacles course. Man he has some energy

[@sixtyfiveford]

I know! She always ready to go.

[@orvileknox3130]

I had 2 good dogs killed where squirrels led them across oncoming cars. It's terrible. Thanks for your steday perseverance !

[@sixtyfiveford]

That's very unfortunate. 20+ years and never had squirrels in my trees until this year. I'm not happy about it and put them barely above the level of rats.

[@ThacMan]

I always learn new things from your vids. Thanks man! Give Ginger a big ol' hug for me.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks! You're awesome.

[@luispardo5945]

Thank you very much. What you just showed here gives others the chance to realize we can solve troubles at a low cost. Blessings.

[@drstyxquack]

Wow plastic welding is versatile and useful. I'm sure one day this will come in handy.

[@zx8401ztv]

Well done, i hope you get a long time out of it. I've never seen mesh on windows/doors in the u.k, maybe an old flower sieve would do. I had a gun style soldering iron just like yours, it had the Hilka name on it. The one to be careful with was the tandy/radio shack black one with a red trigger. They would overload and get way too hot and pop lol. I miss tandy and radio shack :-(

[@The_Story_Channel]

You don't have screens for windows to keep insects out on a hot day when you need to open a window?

[@zx8401ztv]

@@The_Story_Channel Our weather is wet and cold most of the time. Warm weather is a shock lol, What's that big warm thing in the sky? oh the sun ha ha :-D

[@sixtyfiveford]

I think I may have an old Radio Shake soldering iron somewhere in my shed.

[@D4x4Bronc]

Good tip on the JB weld, had to come back to this video. Bought a (newer china) $25 junkyard radiator for a GM car with a coolant temp sensor block off. I was playing with the fitment of the plug and broke one of the hold down tabs on it. Going to put some JB weld around the plug to ensure it never pops out from the psi.

[@kevinmcmurren159]

Thank you! Today, I repaired a couple of small holes in the plastic side of the radiator on my old 1994 Chevy K1500 pickup, using the soldering iron technique. I was able to do it without removing the rad.

[@JOEZEP54]

Now I know why I saved that old radiator. LOL Good repair 👍 Stay well, Joe Z

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.

[@D4x4Bronc]

I replaced a side tank before but didn't use vice grips or gasket sealant and couldn't get it to hold more than 6 psi. Good info. Probably best for a wreck repair than a rotten plastic repair.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Absolutely a wreck repair is better. I have repaired old brittle ones for coworkers/friends and you will only get 3-9months before a new leak pops up somewhere else. Though the cars I did these repairs on were always on their last leg and a radiator replacement would have tripled the value of the car.

[@petermustangalicea2075]

Hi,, from Puerto Rico🇵🇷 Thanks for the video...I fix my radiator just watching you're video. Thank you.. again👍👍

[@Kowyn]

I was going to do this same process on my Honda C-RV but for $56 I got a new Denso rad, They make it so hard to say no sometimes. As a kid with no money and a lot of time I would fix small engines, all my gaskets where made from cereal boxes and Gasgacinch, never had a problem.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Yeah, $56 for a new radiator is a no brainier.

[@farmsgrace341]

I don't recommend JBWeld inside the radiator. I've seen a few repairs that used it as reinforcement but after a while being subjected to coolant and heat it tends to soften and breakdown. JBWeld fixes a whole lot of stuff, but I would keep it away from the inside of a radiator.

[@Kotaztrafee]

Keep it from the outside too because it didn't work for me.

[@Trickster_24]

JB weld offers products meant for this, even the more standard high heat stuff shouldn't breakdown, provided you let it cure properly before running the radiator and let coolant touch the repair

[@kirkjambazian2365]

I ended up setting my cheep soldering iron on the top of radiator while looking for other tool and cooking a huge hole on top! Oops, but layed in screen for pipe smoking, and melting zip tyes, same for original Crack, seems to be holding!! Thanks Man!!

[@conradmaceo]

Thanks very helpful! Just bent my radiator clips into place, problem solved!👍 And the dog…impressive!

[@sixtyfiveford]

That's awesome

[@YukonHawk1]

I absolutely love your dog. 👍👍👍🙂🙂🙂 Excellent repair on the radiator

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks Paul

[@wesleydeer889]

that vise grip trick is smart as hell

[@jasondk5127]

Permatex Form-a-Gasket is the bomb! I've been using it since I was a kid working on mower engines. Love your videos thanks for sharing!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Hey Thanks.

[@MrHeHim]

Awesome! now i know why my radiator sprung a leak at the plastic/aluminum contact point. I'm going to crimp it just like you said, using vise grips to apply equal crimping pressure to each joint. Just ordered one anyway, but great to know i can still drive the car and replace it when it comes in the mail in a few days.. if it even leaks again 😜

[@closertothetruth9209]

nice tip about aviation sealants on gaskets, i stopped using probably in the early 90's late 80's so sticky and messy but thats what you want in a sealant, very hard to wash of your hands and clothes. ive used the knead it style putties theyre my absolute favourite thick and strong.

[@fraydnot]

WD 40 will take it off your hands

[@sixtyfiveford]

Yeah, the stuff can be a bugger to wash off. I like the #2 tube stuff way better but it's messy and all over my hands so you can see I grabbed the #3 Aviation.

[@dummkompf]

good video ty for the tips. I also need to repair a radiator that was damaged in an accident. The mounting tab broke off completely and left a round hole underneath where it was. I wish I knew it was so easy to replace the plastic pieces before I cut that mounting tab off of the extra one I had to use it as scrap!! the piece I cut off fits nicely over the hole so I could try and just glue it on with jb-weld, but I feel like it probably needs to be reinforced better than that. I really don't want to remove it from the car, though....trying to figure out how to best do this....

[@blackrockbrewing5141]

Did you apply the gasket sealer to the plastic tank off camera? Or, did you leave that side dry? Looks like a great repair for the back country, just to get you home. Thanks for sharing.

[@iancameron198]

I.ve seen you vids on plastic welding before.i just repaired a dog carrier by welding it using metal screen.thanks to you and your vids

[@sixtyfiveford]

That is awesome!

[@truthbtold8040]

Thank you oh great one. I made one mistake using only JB, then, I used fiberglass and mesh. Both separated from presure pushing against those and opening right back up.

[@805ROADKING]

Well done Bud!! I never had to mess with a plastic Radiator yet!! You're getting alotta mileage outta that accident video eh!!☺

[@sixtyfiveford]

Oh yeah

[@bardmadsen6956]

Your a real trouper. We think alike in a skewed way. I was thinking of you the other day working on a black plastic tonneau cover from a Chevy on a Ford. Who ever designed two small postage stamp brackets to hold the pneumatic struts should be slapped. One time I had a problem with the wife's car, forever, and stumbled on a crack across those plastic ends, but horizontal, and THEN told me about the snow bank she hit 3 months ago.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Skewed for sure. Not many want to fix stuff anymore.

[@bardmadsen6956]

@@sixtyfiveford - I often wonder what it would be like having to hire someone for just about everything, must be scary. I have helped many people and it is strange how scant their tools are and they don't even know how to turn anything off. I use to have to show home owners how their new huge investments worked and I'm surprised they know how to open and close a jar while I wonder how they got all that money.

[@dylandouglas4943]

man o man, the drive on them heelers

[@sixtyfiveford]

They're always ready to go.

[@2LateIWon]

Nice repair still love the screen door reinforcement.

[@oldgamer1330]

Hi, I was told that once you undo those tabs that hold the tanks on that they are designed to brake off so that you can't do repairs on these radiators, have you ever had this problem.Thanks.

[@1ZZFE]

I'm going to use this method to fix the leak at my Toyota radiator with that 80011 or 80016 gasket sealant which I purchased yesterday in Singapore. 👍 I'm going thru all these out of hobby, skill training and save some money.

[@not2fast4u2c]

People do miss use silicone sealers Thanks for showing the sealers you use I have both kinds plus the gasket shellac I use on paper gaskets

[@sixtyfiveford]

Shellac is something I don't use too often but probably should.

[@BrucesShop]

I have never taken apart a modern rad. Thanks

[@sixtyfiveford]

I've repaired a lot of old radiators with gobs and gobs of solder on the fins. I will say these modern are easier to work on the side caps but the centers being aluminum make it near impossible for the average DIYer. Though I've been impressed with what a simple can of Radiator Leak sealant can do.

[@ebutuoyebutouy]

Nice. Thanks for sharing. Especially using gauze reinforcement. Like a hernia surgeon? Many folk use a mix of super glue and baking soda. I don't know how well it works.

[@sixtyfiveford]

People use old staples and paper clips, it just takes too long and you never get an even layer like with screen material.

[@ebutuoyebutouy]

@@sixtyfiveford I was talking about the super glue and baking soda slurry to seal and bond the cracks.

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

Thanks for the video! Never tried to fix one of these with the plastic ends. Was always afraid of them! Next time one leaks, ( usually the gasket) I will try your super fix!

[@sixtyfiveford]

They actually sell a lot of the General Motors gaskets and side tanks for really cheap.

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

@@sixtyfiveford good to know! Had a 89 taurus back in mid 1990s, when it got colder out like 32F, it would leak. It would stop as soon as it got warmer or colder.

[@pignapoke6772]

To perform this while its installed youd need to remove the fan correct?

[@katherineboultinghouse1278]

What if you have a long crack in the plastic instead of the pin hole can it be repaired thank you and great video

[@sixtyfiveford]

You do this technique kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZrHdoGkgpmJgdU

[@fearofchicke]

The plastic is actually nylon! I used zip ties as a filler on the radiator of my car; after hitting a hog. Edit: I just got to the point in the video where you mentioned this.

[@sixtyfiveford]

There seams to be a huge variation in zip tie quality. I think some are pure nylon and others are just made from garbage plastic.

[@fearofchicke]

@@sixtyfiveford I couldn’t agree more with your assertion.

[@btd2516]

Have you ever used the JB Weld Radiatorweld? It says it is for plastic radiators and plastic containers like windshield washer bottles. My '94 Chev van has had a crack on the end of radiator for years. I don't run pressure in the cooling system to slow the leakage to almost nothing but I still want to fix radiator end.

[@vinces8974]

It was really good information never knew messing with an aluminum radiator was so easy

[@sixtyfiveford]

Hey Thanks

[@amgpower213]

Watching this gave me the confidence to fix my bmw scooter radiator saving me £500. Nice one!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Nice work!

[@TRG972]

Thanks for another helpful video! If available, I like to use a 'smoothing tip' on my soldering iron for repairing plastic cracks and resealing seams. Another great gasket sealer is 'Indian Head'. Great tip on using the metal screen for reinforcement!

[@sixtyfiveford]

I'm glad it was helpful.

[@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic]

I’ve seen a process of making a glue with legos and acetone. Don’t know if the radiator is abs but I think it works on abs. Might work to sort of top coat your reinforcement section.

[@sixtyfiveford]

That might create a decent shell. Generally radiators are made of nylon.

[@bitsnpieces77]

I have an older rad that seems really plugged I’ve tried all sorts of things to clean it any ideas I don’t know if it can be taken apart and cleaned or what ideas or maybe a video would be cool let me know thanks

[@airecraft1]

Nice job you never know when this may be the only option

[@sixtyfiveford]

Very true

[@brentboterhoek7999]

Love your content Moe. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. 👍 from Australia

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks Brent.

[@beverlylewis2112]

Ya da man, thanks for the overview of the radiator caps. 😊 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@billrimmer5596]

I got one of those Makita ratchets u showed in one of your vids. I have the long Milwaukee also. But Makita is nice and light. Always watch your vids. Thank u!!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks Bill. -Moe

[@jimviau327]

Thanks for the video. My Nissan Murano radiator is leaking from the side. At $300 I sure will give it a shot :)

[@Goomer]

Nice Fix. I see Ginger is good as new as well.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Yeah, still bouncing everywhere.

[@JT-tz5hp]

wish i this video had come out a few years ago. I did a plastic weld repair and I looked everywhere for good information on sealing the bottle gasket back on. I couldn't get the bottle to seal after removing it.... ended up buy and new rad.

[@sixtyfiveford]

I will say some of the gaskets I've taken off are dried out and brittle and hard to reseal.

[@madmike9530]

You Sir have just saved me $300 Buck•a•roos, thank you.

[@larryz3985]

Sp you can't do this if it's below the hole dispenser cap?

[@eamonnmckeown6770]

This one is definitely of interest to me. I mentioned recently picking up a welder in need of repair. Well once I got off the freeway after two and a half hours the car overheated and blew the snot out of the plastic end cap. I actually drove it back on a secondary road that followed the freeway about 3-5 miles at a time for 100 miles then a neighbor came and tow dollied the rest of the way home. I haven't looked at it recently but it did a number on it. I had thought it would be junk but maybe there's hope. Of course I'll have to source the cause of the problem too. '97 200SX SE-R for reference.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Dang, 3-5miles at a time. That's impressive determination. But we do what we need to. Off the top of my head it sounds like a blown head gasket.

[@eamonnmckeown6770]

@@sixtyfiveford I can be awful stubborn sometimes. I hope not but not the end of the world either. It's funny very little coolant ended up on the ground and the overflow/reservoir tank is full to the neck now. I'm refurbishing the SE first then the SE-R will get it's due.

[@Scooter30FTW]

I never even knew it was relatively easy to take a tank off a radiator.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Yeah, it's not too bad to take off.

[@redtesta]

Most the the fails i have seen and the two i have had was the seal. Since now, radiators are so cheap people opt to just buy a new one. I tried to look for "gaskets" and came up empty. Any site or company that sells the gaskets?

[@BiGGBLUNT1]

Bruh‼️ This is the longest 11min video I've ever seen 😂😂

[@JonathanWhoever]

I've used the "preset" vise grip trick many times.

[@sixtyfiveford]

Awesome

[@jameswallace7351]

Thank you for sharing this I've wondered about how to repair them I've had to replace 3 in the past year

[@sixtyfiveford]

Glad the video was useful.

[@why1462]

So fast video no bullshit. Gonna repair mine tomorrow. Awesome video

[@carlosquiahua1614]

What silicone did you put thank you

[@Darenator1]

Some how I missed this earlier. 2 weeks ago helping friend with Hyundai that had small crack in inlet tube of the thermostat / temp sensor plastic manifold. This feeds the engine, radiator, heater etc. Parts are backordered. Generic part came but wrong part. I thought of plastic weld but it was same material as radiator caps and I heard it can't be done on that type. Factory part should be here this week, if not I may help him repair it untill the part comes in so I can get my car back I loaned.

[@stephenholloway4166]

Great bit of information passed along there…. Many thanks..

[@sixtyfiveford]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnwerahiko6226]

I need help at the top of my radiator right along the top were the crimps are is slow leak how do i fix it

[@kicksoffs]

is it better to use regular JB weld or Marine JB weld

[@sixtyfiveford]

I highly doubt there's a difference between them other than marketing.

[@kicksoffs]

@@sixtyfiveford thanks🖒

[@sixtyfiveford]

@@kicksoffs Just don't use the 5 minute quick epoxy that's way weaker than standard.

[@hippiechick2871]

Thank you! Iwas just looking for a quick temporary fix until I get paid

[@joeym1635]

Mine gushes transmission fluid off the top overflow pipe, i reused an old radiator off my wrecked one but it still gushes, im confused where it broke tho.

[@richardcarey169]

Melting black zips ties into it with the iron works even better

[@gtdodgeviper]

I will try this tomorrow. Im in Mexico and I cant find anywhere a radiator for a 2001 Nissan Altima. Not even at Autozone. Hopefully it works because it has a 12”+ crack on the top tank.

[@dougsweldingfabrication953]

Dang... thanks man. That was super helpful. I feel like I could at least give that a shot next time.

[@sixtyfiveford]

I feel a damaged one is a better candidate than a fatigued brittle one. Sometimes radiators are so cheap it's not worth it though.

[@talon0863]

Every day is a school day. Thanks again!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks

[@xuanthu1033]

@@sixtyfiveford Where do you buy rubber gasket? My Honda passport 1999 leaked gasket. Thank you.

[@sixtyfiveford]

@@xuanthu1033 Some side caps are sold with gaskets. Very few though so you have to Google it. If yours is just slightly leaking, you can try re-crimping it

[@0505abab]

I'm going to try it I have 2 radiators the same one has a hole from fan and the other has a broken plastic side so I'm doing it now

[@martinrascon1350]

You can use trublu plumbers paste to seal it it expands with the heat

[@kenl5217]

I gotta check out that gasket sealant stuff

[@909freddy]

Awesome video thanks radiator specialist

[@samengesa3992]

Valuable video, needed this

[@wildracoon666]

You can use plastic tie wrap cable ties as a filler rod

[@op_s_lead]

Even my radiator for an 03 Silverado 2500hd gas is $400 and it cracked in the same place like on your but from rough roads, like my throttle body sensor was also going haywire because it came loose.

[@mymorristribe]

Very cool instructions. Thank you!

[@sixtyfiveford]

Thanks Jonathan. -Moe

[@MrAresxy07]

That radiator is now stronger than the whole car itself

[@james10739]

I guess that aluminum doesn't move as much as I was thinking but I would be worried about it breaking moving back and forth but as far as more material the 3d printing filament would probably be a great idea if you can get small amounts It is meant to be melted into more of the same material and maybe even one of those 3d printing pens to apply it I think they are pretty cheap

[@Kotaztrafee]

I am having the same thought. Another video kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJPPk5yrlNt9mdk @3:30 shows using a plastic weld tool which is nice. Looks like printer filament. Have you tried it? I'm going to try it.