soulrupture

Hello guys my question is this.
How many of you have used J.B. Weld to patch a leak in your radiator?
And how was the result?

History:
I discovered a weeping leak on the top of my radiator about an inch in length. I put two bottles of stop leak ( poor product) and it stop the leak for a couple of hours (Drove 39 miles). Then instead of a weeping leak it was a STREAM of HOT coolent comming out. I put some J.B. Weld on the leak and let it sit for 12 hours. It held for about 39 miles then it was a small drip from the top of where I put the weld. I figured I had not put enough so I sanded everything down and reaplied a more complete aplication.
I'm waiting for a full 24 hours too see if this saves me from buying a new radiator.

Thanks for any thoughts.
P.S.
If your are looking for one here is what I found. 4th gen

http://www.carpartswholesale.com $129.95

http://shop.car-engine-parts.com/nis...5034csf_2.html $152.29

http://www.allnissanparts.net/ $347.27

Kopel nissan in Jackson Hights, New York $500

Jatan

iTrader: (3)

http://search.ebay.com/maxima-radiat...fkrZ1QQfromZR8

SmoothMax

iTrader: (2)

I had the same problem and used the same method you're using to make repairs and it just didn't work. Don't waste your time....get a new radiator.

JayMAX22

Had the same problem with a previous car and just like you, the J.B. Weld was a waste of time. I went out and purchased a new radiator and thermostat and all my problems went away.

soulrupture

UPDATE: well all looks ok I will take it out on the high way in an hour or so, to see if the weld holds up.

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/cata...4&partGroup=16

100dolla.

You prob already spent 20-30bucks trying to fix the leak.

soulrupture

update 2:
J.B. Weld did nothing for me. It held for 15 minutes then leaked again. "When it goes it goes" You guys were right. Thanks for the links "JaTaN", "Kevlo911" I am going with with
http://shop.car-engine-parts.com/ni...85034csf_2.html $152.29
because they can have the radiator to me in a day. They have a werehouse right in Jersey about an hour from me. 4th of july weekend is right around the corner and I need the car running.
I'm putting it in myself so I'll post how that goes. Wish me luck and thanks for the feed back.

Jatan

iTrader: (3)

Should be a straight forward job

Check the hoses - if they need replacing, might as well do it now

DA-MAX

iTrader: (10)

are you all letting it cure properly?? I've used JB weld on everything form oil pans to radiators to plugs holes and had it hold for months. though in spots such as the radiator high speed driving for long periods(increased heat) will affect it, normal driving will last for months though.

soulrupture

"DA-MAX" I first let it set for 15 hours and the second set for a full 24 hours with the same results. I think it has to do with our radiatiors being plastic. On the package it said it will not bound to a certain type of plastic. (I can't remember the name) Maybe thats the same plastic used in our radatiors. Also J.B Weld is rated stable at 500 degrees. Much more then I belive is the heat of the fluid in our raditors, I may be wrong if I am let me know.
Update:
Radatior is in my area should have it by the end of the day.

DA-MAX

iTrader: (10)

yeah I forgot they are plastic, I bet that was your problem. I've never used it on plastic before, only metal.

soulrupture

update:
Well all is well the radiator is a perfect fit and went in with out a hassle. I did an oil change while I was at it. I'm filling her up with coolant tomarrow morning and then I'll check for leaks. All my hoses were fine. One thing that I noticed I'll start a thread about is the loosening of the clips that hold the hoses in place.
Other then that I'm glad I did it myself and can't wait to the max on the road. =)

ColdSHO

iTrader: (25)

super glue and a sheet of styreen(spl) plastic, u can fix just about anything that way. i fixed a turtle like that last week, if it can fix a turtle why not a raidator?

jackiss2888

iTrader: (3)

used the jb method, didnt work. got a new rad. and installed it, lol.

upstatemax

iTrader: (15)

Epoxy???? that crap will hold anything and stand up to heat.

msoler29

My Impreza did the same thing. I have this little pin hole leak over the stamp where it says Subaru on top of the radiator, and when I tried JB weld it only lasted about 24 hours, then when I drove back home from work doing 70mph the radiator started smoking and the car started over heating"smoke everywhere coming from that little pin hole leak"..... I had a bad feeling the radiator cap was bad, I had to press hard for it to turn onto the radiator, so I changed the radiator cap and the pressure stopped but of course I still have the pin hole.. I'm going to sand down the radiator get all that Jb weld off and try ceramic mix maybe that'll do it, untill I get my next pay check in another week and a half to order a raidator.. Sometimes it's the radiator cap, so try that when you get a chance, the best thing to do is just buy a new radiator online and have it shippped to you in 24 hours. Advance tried to charge me 280.00 for my radiator!!!! are they on crack! I get it online for 99.00 free shipping!!!! damn advance over pricing people.
Well you all have a great day.

wish2345

holy back from the dead thread.

maximase86

iTrader: (24)

That's so thoughtful. Thank you!

tigersharkdude

iTrader: (20)

Well I had the same problem, used JBweld and it worked

Ghost240SX

Ummm I wouldn't do it just because if you screw up and it ends up in your coolant system you're ****ed.

A33Black

Scuffing the plastic area with steel wool, then cleaning the area 100% w/ water then alcohol, will help when the JB needs to adhere to plastic.

Surface preparation is CRITICAL to having a lasting JB fix.

Haven't used it for a radiator fix yet. But have used it to fix a leaking gas tank and broken master cylinder sight glass on a motorcycle. Both fixes are going on 2+ years w/o leaks.