Plastic Radiator Repair - Fix Radiator Leak

If your car radiator has a small leak, you may be wondering if it is possible to repair a plastic radiator and fix a radiator leak. Afterall, there is high-pressure, high-temperature coolant in the radiator tank. You may ask yourself, "How can a radiator epoxy adhesive possibly hold up under those conditions?" The answer is that it probably can't. It may fix the radiator leak temporarily, but over time, the radiator adhesive will, more than likely, come off.
If you take your car to a radiator repair shop to repair a leaking radiator, you will often find that they will repair metal radiator tanks but NOT repair plastic radiator tanks. Instead, the radiator repair shop will probably try to sell you a replacement radiator. The replacement radiator cost can be very high compared to just repairing something so minor and easily repairable.
Radiator tank repairs are not difficult at all. Just keep in mind a few things when you are repairing a cracked plastic radiator tank. First, the repair has to withstand high operating temperatures (200°F or 94°C and up).
Second, the repair has to contain hot, pressurized coolant, making it immediately obvious when your weld is less-than-perfect. Because of the harsh operating conditions, the radiator tanks are made from glass-reinforced nylon, a plastic that features a high-softening point. The high-softening-point nylon plastic is what helps the plastic radiator tank withstand the pressure and temperatures involved.
Adhesives don't stand a chance in such an environment. There's no way an adhesive bond can hold on over the long run at such temperatures with high-pressure water behind it.
The only true way to patch a plastic radiator tank is with a true fusion weld. The Radiator Repair Kit enables you to melt pure nylon fill material directly into the base material, creating a seamless, strong repair.
Creating a durable weld repair is not as easy on the radiator as it is on other plastic parts because of the high melting point of the nylon and the harsh operating conditions. However, by following the simple step-by-step procedure we have outlined here, you will be making quality repairs in no time.
Featured product:
- 5212 Plastic Radiator Tank Repair Kit: www.polyvance.com/Radiator-Re...
View this video on our website for more information: www.polyvance.com/video/radia...
Chapters:
Intro: 0:00
View of the damage (#1): 0:10
Using a heat gun (#1): 0:26
Melting a v-groove (#1): 0:41
Melting and mixing the nylon rod (#1): 0:55
Strength test and final look (#1): 1:26
View of the damage (#2): 1:41
Using a heat gun (#2): 1:51
Melting a v-groove (#2): 2:04
Melting and mixing the nylon rod (#2): 2:18
Final smoothing and finished look (#2): 2:57
⚠️ Important ⚠️
- Always wear proper safety gear while working!
- The length of this video is in no way representative of the actual time required to perform a complete repair and therefore should not be used for estimating purposes.
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[@polyvance]

Visit this video page on our website to see the full list of products used and other helpful tips: www.polyvance.com/video/radiator-repair/plastic-radiator-repair-fix-radiator-leak

[@matthewbryant2735]

Where are you located? I need a repair done

[@polyvance]

@@matthewbryant2735 Sorry. We are a factory that makes products to do repairs. We don't offer repair services.

[@petersherrouse33]

This is the only vid that shows the right way to weld a plastic radiator tank !! The radiator tank plastic generally has a high load of fiberglass in it. When repairing high stress areas (like mounting brackets) I like to add in material taken from another tank and work it into the top layer. It's best to get material from fresher tanks as the material seems to get brittle over time and high temperature use. Nice tool and the feed hole is very good because the fed rod is fully melted when injected into the repair. It's tricky to get the material all melted in a pool without it.

[@RedMango55]

How about using Permatex RTV sealant? It is automotive grade for up to 400F.

[@elduderinoakahisdudeness]

​@@RedMango55 won't hold up to the pressure over time.

[@OQureshii]

I love your product, but hate the music it use in your videos.

[@polyvance]

We are glad you like our products! Our music has been changed on our newer videos.

[@donaldrandall9277]

@@polyvance You don't need music at all.

[@vuluv6035]

thank you so much

[@polyvance]

Thanks for watching!

[@carslover3509]

great work

[@JackRR15]

ayy

[@darrenkamalu9047]

About to try the JB Weld approach, but this is a great way to go if you have the tool.

[@movaughn20]

Thanks for the video! Just used a torch to heat a screwdriver. It was able to melt and mix crack on hose elbow. Fingers crossed. Ha ha. Thanks again!

[@scottb7600]

Good deal! Elbows are tricky as they undergo bending stress as well as the stress from heat and pressure. You repair might hold, but my guess is you will need to add some filler rod and some stainless steel mesh to make it a permanent repair.

[@raynic1173]

Broham, it's been 2yrs. since your posted comment. How's the repair holding up?

[@vektorman1938]

Mine is the same tank like that plastic one on the side but it's metal how can I do it?

[@efrensaclolo7021]

I will use JB weld and get the same results,thank you for the video a much better way.It is good.

[@scottb7600]

JB weld will not hold for very long, it doesn't withstand the expansion and contraction of the radiator well and it doesn't bond incredibly well to nylon.

[@britishbluetess]

using a soldering iron to melt in plastic cable ties into the cracks will do the same job

[@polyvance]

In principle, it's simlar, but not if the cable ties are not made of the same kind of plastic. Even if they were the same, the weld wouldn't be quite as reliable.

[@mikek4610]

britishbluetess hahahaha...said the shade tree hack

[@deankay4434]

As an ASE Master Tech since 1978, I too can tell you that plastic cable ties are not all created equal. Many have a low temperature cheaper plastic that will fail in high temperature conditions likes found in under hood from engine and 220 - 264 degree heat. I have used factory recommended convoluted tubing in concert with OEM cable ties that do not snap or become brittle over time. So if you purchase the more expensive wire ties that have a temperature rating published with the product, you may get away with that type of repair. Ask a radiator “Repair Shop” that fixes hard to find tanks.

[@damian64467]

Is this possible without a 240 power supply?

[@user-qk6yl4le5r]

Can I buy the rod that was hit in the cheeks from anywhere, or is it for radiators?

[@polyvance]

All of our welding rods can be found here: www.polyvance.com/Welding-Rod-List/ You need to make sure the plastic welding rod matches the plastic you are repairing. Here, the radiator we repaired was nylon, so we used our R06 nylon rod.

[@larryhale7618]

It is much easier with less cost and tools to repair with a JW Weld epoxy kit. I have repaired radiator solder joints with epoxy resin kits. They last forever. The key is to dry the surface and degrease it by wiping the surface the alcohol. Then roughen the surface with sandpaper. Mix the kit and apply. You can use it in an hour, although I wait 4hrs.

[@scottb7600]

that may work on the aluminum fins, but it will not produce a reliable repair on plastic radiator housings.

[@janjep88869]

Do you mean JB weld, not JW?

[@janjep88869]

@@scottb7600 I know of folk's who used JB weld & were successful on plastic radiators.

[@larryhale7618]

Yes

[@betonblack-op1xe]

Plastic won’t work the pressure on a pin hole will go through as heat is apllied

[@fookutube501]

My radiator connector(as shown on your video) broke clean off .I try to save the broken bit in the hose but couldn't .So basically i can't connect the hose,does this mean i have to replace the whole radiator ?.Can you replace only the top plastic part?........

[@wacio]

You could replace the plastic radiator end only - but the problem is to get the part and to mount it so the seal with core doesn't leak.

[@HavinFunNDeezLastDayz]

I just broke my cousin's and I need to fix can buy a radiator for someone else's car when mine needs to be fixed as well. I was trying to get starter bolt off and pressed down on radiator hose and plastic broke from radiator. Now that's another job. Trying to get it sealed back

[@fabriciogudino859]

Hola como puedo hacer para comprar el cautin de soldar y las barras de nylon desde ecuador

[@polyvance]

Please contact REMSA for information about our products in your area: remsacr.com/

[@judastempestad]

silicone is common?

[@CATA20034]

Polyamide or PA66 should be glued only with polyamide .This is what I saw on my tests.

[@scottb7600]

Its not really "Glued" with polyamide. Polyamide is another name for nylon and its is welded with polyamide, aka nylon. But you are correct, you only use like materials for welding.

[@prabhusinghranabhat730]

Is it available in Abu Dhabi too?

[@scottb7600]

Polyvance can this ship there. Email them for details from their website.

[@Cesar-xy6fd]

Hi. Can you provide amazon link for 230 volt.

[@polyvance]

Hi. We don't have the 230 volt on Amazon. We have a kit that's 230v and has a Euro plug. www.polyvance.com/Airless-Welders-1/5212-230V/ If you need a different plug, you will have to call or email us to place a special order.

[@ernestkills476]

Can this be done with a soldering iron and pvc pipe? As in melt the pvc onto the radiator crack

[@scottb7600]

no. A: A soldering iron is not the correct shape for pushing plastic around without creating pin-holes. B: PVC is not the same material as the radiator, so it will not stick.

[@ernestkills476]

@@scottb7600 would jb weld plasticweld work?

[@scottb7600]

@@ernestkills476 Not as a permanent fix. The bond will not withstand the repeated expansion and contraction of a radiator.

[@denniscurran6823]

Yes it can be done with a soldering iron you just need a flat connecting piece for it.

[@user-qk6yl4le5r]

If so, where do I get these tools?

[@polyvance]

Here is a link to our Radiator Repair Kit: www.polyvance.com/Airless-Welders-1/5212/

[@wilersomoliveiradepaula650]

Comprei

[@leninhaoliveira6220]

eu ja visitei este site mais não entendo nada

[@polyvance]

Lo siento. Llámenos y pregunte por alguien que hable español para ayudarle con su pedido. Gracias!

[@luisalbertoherediaheredia8124]

Amigos de que esta hecha la barra que se derrite con el calor..??

[@polyvance]

Nylon. www.polyvance.com/Nylon-1/

[@user-vs6kz4qt6v]

sir nylon rod is special or normal nylon?

[@polyvance]

These are the nylon welding rods we used: www.polyvance.com/Nylon-1/R06-01-03-NT/

[@walterfalcon4873]

Como se llama esa erramirnta que derrite y la barrita

[@scottb7600]

La herramienta es la soldadora de radiador 5212 y la varilla de soldadura es una varilla de nailon R06-01-03-NT. El kit 5212 viene con el soldador, la varilla y una malla de refuerzo de acero inoxidable.

[@user-qk6yl4le5r]

ومن اين احصل على هذه الأدوات الخاصة

[@polyvance]

Here is a link to our Radiator Repair Kit: www.polyvance.com/Airless-Welders-1/5212/

[@darcywright1806]

You can get a whole new radiator for about $100 and I'll come over and replace for you if you're my neighbor.

[@marufrahman5062]

DARCY WRIGHT where are u from ?

[@fabriciogudino859]

Puedo conseguir este kit en ecuador?

[@scottb7600]

Yes at REMSA

[@fabriciogudino859]

@@scottb7600 amigo no ay remsa

[@joseangeljacobobocardo4393]

Dónde puedo comprar ese kit

[@polyvance]

www.polyvance.com/Airless-Welders-1/5212/

[@scottb7600]

Polyvance.com Número de pieza : 5212 www.polyvance.com/Airless-Welders-1/5212/

[@robertodomiciano8873]

como faço para comprar esse kit?

[@polyvance]

Obrigado por assistir! Você pode encomendar aqui. www.polyvance.com/Radiator-Repair-Kit/

[@robertodomiciano8873]

obrigado, e essa cola sera que encontro aqui no brasil? só vou espera o dólar baixar um pouco pois subiu muito aqui ta inviabilizando a compra 3,25 x 1

[@leninhaoliveira6220]

como posso comprar esse kit

[@polyvance]

Hola, Leninha! Tu comprar esse kit por visitando nuestra sitio web! www.polyvance.com/Radiator-Repair-Kit/5212/ Gracias para ver!

[@leninhaoliveira6220]

eu não entendo para comprar pode ser em portugues

[@alejandromoisesninacenteno9103]

amigo me podrías hablar en castellano y saber si eso es silicona simple o es otro tipo de silicona especial por favor le agradeceré bastante

[@polyvance]

En realidad no es de silicona. Es mucho más rígido. No es para uso en material tan flexible como la silicona.

[@principecristiano]

varilla de soldadura de nylon

[@hamzaammari9031]

عمل جيد جدا لكن لايمكنني الطلب انا من الجزائر 🇩🇿 العالم الثالث للاسف 😢😢😢😭😭😭

[@lizardking8388]

I would have used a wire mesh on both of these repairs.

[@scottb7600]

I wouldn't have hurt as it does help prevent pinholes, but on these examples it wasn't needed.

[@lizardking8388]

@@scottb7600 It also adds stress relief; unless you completely penetrated the plastic all the way to the other side, there is still a fracture there weakening the area.

[@scottb7600]

@@lizardking8388 yes, and that's where making the v-groove deep enough comes in.

[@lizardking8388]

@@scottb7600 Not trying to troll you here. The v-groove is very much needed; I would have done that as well, but unless you see the inside after doing the groove, there is no way of knowing for sure if you went deep enough. My point was just that with an added mesh, you'll be 100% sure that even if you didn't groove it deep enough, it would be at least as strong as if you did. For the small amount of added effort for a job that's relying on holding back some very high pressures; I think it's a no brainer.

[@scottb7600]

@@lizardking8388 No, I understand your argument, no offense taken. But sometimes the extra material added on top of the repair thickens the repair area sufficiently that the stress riser of not quite welding 100% through is more than compensated for. Just two different methods to get to the same result. I did do this repair, but I'm with you, if I did it, i also would use mesh, but I also tend to be one of those more is better types. One person here fixed their radiator about five years ago, no mesh, its still holding fine, but again, if it were me, I put mesh in everything that holds liquids in or out ( Boats, water tanks, fuel tanks, radiators, etc.) unless its crosslinked PE, where you can't embed mesh even if you wanted to.

[@judastempestad]

Es silicona común?

[@scottb7600]

NO, silicon cannot be used to patch a radiator.

[@judastempestad]

@@scottb7600 what material do you put

[@scottb7600]

@@judastempestad Nylon or fiber reinforced nylon welding rods from Polyvance: R06-01-03-NT, R06-01-03-BK, or R21-04-03-BK

[@judastempestad]

@@scottb7600 thak you so much !!!

[@juliancortez3250]

Is that hot glue

[@polyvance]

No. This is a nylon plastic welding rod. Radiators are made out of nylon. We fuse the base plastic and welding rod together by smearing the welding rod into the melted radiator plastic, as seen in the video.

[@scottb7600]

Absolutely not. Its the same plastic the radiator is made of, which is (PA) Nylon.

[@abrahamghannam2137]

By the way change your Music headbangers ball

[@polyvance]

This video is over 3 years old, and unfortunately we cannot do anything about the music. We do have different music on our newer videos.

[@alriston]

Nao vai durar muito

[@polyvance]

The repair will last a long time if it is repaired correctly.

[@voltron979]

I wish I would hav try this before spending $500+ on a stupid new radiator..😡😡😡

[@alancheramie-es4uw]

Wonder if 3m 5200 would repair it after doing some plastic with on it ?

[@socialxperiment3162]

Where are you getting radiators that are $500

[@pawanbairwa4188]

o

[@doncookbc]

to costly to play around with does it cost that much for piece of plastic lololol

[@abrahamghannam2137]

For gods sake buy a new radiator Do you want to take the family out for a long vacation I would not trust that getting stuck in the middle of nowhere

[@scottb7600]

Abraham did you know parts of some plastic radiator housings come welded from the factory? Welding is welding, whether its done by a machine or you at home, both are just as reliable as long as the right filler rod and temperature is used. I wouldn't hesitate taking my family anywhere with a hole or crack that I welded shut on my radiator. My wife's car has an intake that I welded 3 years ago, its just fine...same plastic.

[@abrahamghannam2137]

If that’s the case that’s very good

[@scottb7600]

@@abrahamghannam2137 Yup, its true. :-)

[@michaelwillcutt2619]

Bs music

[@polyvance]

Hi! Thanks for the feedback. This video was posted in 2016, so we can't change the music now. But, we haven't used this music since 2017. Check out our newer tutorials; I'm sure you'd enjoy them! Thankfully, all of our tutorial videos have manually added captions, so you can mute the video and still follow along.

[@pawanbairwa4188]

o