JB Welding Radiator (my conclusion: don't do it lol)

Since you've made the repair, does it leak? That's how you know if it's a workable repair.


But it is definitely not permament. JB weld is a good trail fix, or if you're on an extreme budget.

If it's not leaking, great, but it's still a ticking time bomb. Go to Rock Auto or some other place, spend the $100 and get a new one. Last thing you want is a pink milkshake, which is a distinct possibility with a rad that you already know has failed.

 

No clue I seldom use any of that type of product if it can`t be welded I stay far away .

Most times I am repairing the failed attempt to glue something back together

 

I would not trust that repair nor risk it by any means, but if you do, best of luck to you

 

Bonding non-ferrous materials happens.

 

That just means you don't know what you're doing...

 

interesting thing to say to a person, but hey, it's the internet. There is rudeness everywhere.

 

If it's cracking now and you have sealed it, it's a ticking time bomb before the crack begins to spread further. If you used the putty style JB weld it probably won't hold for incredibly long but if you used the liquid type 2 part resin you may be okay.

Trouble is that since it a system which deals with not only pressurizing things within the cooling system but there is water running through it, it's only a matter of time before it busts and at that point it would leave you stranded since water leaks out quickly. Around town I would probably say okay, it can probably hold you for some time, but long trips, nope. Replace it. Regardless, replace it when you get the chance. Sooner rather than later. As others have mentioned it's a temporary bandaid.

 

Lol, well do you? Do you know how to properly mix and apply jb weld? Have you successfully done it? I did. It held for 3 years. I put 20k miles on my jb weld fix. Have you? Also, the internet has nothing to do with it. I'd say it to your face just as soon as type it.

 

I think there's an opportunity to learn if @ThunderOne , who's not a noobie by any means, wants to give it a try. Obviously heading out into a remote place isn't advisable, but that's probably not what he's thinking of.

Worst that happens is 2 gallons of antifreeze go into a sewer which, as angry mobs of keyboard protesters will say is abhorrent, truly isn't the worst of ecological disasters we already contribute to in America.

Best that can happen is a legitimate experiment that we and others can learn from and possibly save someone's last pennies down the line or get them off a trail on their own power.

Just my 2¢.

 

To the questions asked, yes I used the 2 part resin, and even though I love JB Kwik and use it on all sorts of things, I used the original version knowing that it is far more heat resistant than its "Kwik" counterpart. I don't normally use Steel Stik but it does have a few applications that I have used it for in the past, including my retrofitted headlights.

I looked at a few other threads on the interwebs with similar people throwing hyperbolic arguments about JB weld patching a radiator, only to see the OP come back years later and say the patch still held. There are also several articles on JB welding a radiator crack.

That being said, the point about the radiator being old and thus susceptible to cracking in *other* areas due to its age is completely valid and I do plan to keep a closer eye on the condition of the radiator going forward. I had to add about 1/3 gallon of distilled water to the rad and a little bit to the overflow resi. I haven't driven it yet so I cannot report on the fix yet, but I did apply a little more JB weld over the existing patch just as an extra layer of security since I do know I am dealing with a pressurized system. Even so, JB weld does have a working pressure rating far beyond anything the radiator is designed to withstand, so I am not worried about that at all. I will be keeping an eye out for new cracks and if another pops up in short order, a replacement will be promptly purchased.

 

In case anyone is curious about the applications for JB weld, here's a good video. Project farm has other more crazy videos with JB weld also.
https://youtu.be/XObmZIbHOzY

 

I was modding a grill once and removing cross bars with a sawzall. Turned out the blade was 1/4 longer than I thought it was.

 

I used the liquid, it will flow into cracks and holes a bit.

 

One does what one can to get by.

Myself it would fail in the worst possible place the way my luck goes.

To get off the road I would most likely drive far enough to take out the head gaskets and a few hundred dollar towing bill .

This happened with a failed hose not even a radiator

 

well said Dalandser!!

 

Mine cracked in the same place and I put jb weld all over it. I drove it like that for about 6 months. I wasn’t off roading or towing during that time. I blew a head gasket and jacked my head all up so I put a new engine in. Replaced the radiator while I was swapping engines.

 

I did the same thing, ground out the crack a little, filled it in, sanded down and did a couple more coats. Lasted nearly 3 years

 

I ran jb welded radiator for 8 years
0 leaks and sold the vehicle

 

I think quite a lot of the success has to do with where you live .

How often you see massive thermal changes from lets say 0 degrees F to coolant temp of 180 degrees a few times a day 7 days a week.

It works or it does not .

 

I've always replaced my rads at 200k. I figure the rad needs flushed about that time anyways.

A rad flush is $125 most places.

A new rad is $85 and 2 gallons of coolant is $20.

I figure you are ready for a rad, but am curious to see how long the JB Weld lasts.