Re: Is my plastic/aluminum radiator repairable?

[Kevin Baluha <baluha@tpa.cst.titan.com>]

I just repaired this problem. - I used a 1/4 npt fitting & a 1/4 npt tap
and some good epoxy.
1) tap the hole (remember that pipe taps get wider so just tap it enough 
   to get the fitting started.
2) put the fitting on the hose. but do not tighten.
3) insert the fitting into the newly tapped hole and seat the fitting
4) mix some good (long cure) epoxy and apply to the threads and screw in.
   
   I did this and have no problems.

   as an alternative a local radiator shop (tampa,FL) quoted me 
   $90 to replace the ends on my radiator. They also suggested that I try a 
   fitting.

> 
> Hey guys,
> 
> This evening the top plastic pipe on 85' 5000s radiator
> snapped into half so the upper radiator hose came completely
> off and it lost alot of coolant. The engine luckily didn't
> overheated, it happened so suddenly at a stoplight, next
> thing I knew was a cloud of white smoke from underneath the
> hood and the low coolant warning light came on so I just pulled
> over into a parking lot.
> 
> About 1/2" of the plastic pipe on the plastic end cap snapped
> off and lodged inside the hose. I was able to remove the section of
> plastic pipe in the hose and luckily there was a little over
> 1/2" of that pipe is still intact on the radiator so I was able
> to reconnect it back to the hose and refill the radiator and
> limp home on it :)
> 
> My question are 1) Is the end cap replaceable? 2) If the end cap is 
> replaceable then what's the cost? 3) Should I just go and
> get a new brass retrofit radiator? 3) How much are the brass one?
> (I remember someone mentioned that they are about $200, alot cheaper
> than the OEM plastic/aluminum one). 
> 
> Anthony Chan
> Adminstrative System
> Information Service
> Seattle University
> 
> chan@seattleu.edu
> 


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Kevin.Baluha@titan.com
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work phone: 813-979-2417
home phone: 813-985-4522