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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: ussexplorer on March 04, 2005, 06:00:10 PM

Title: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: ussexplorer on March 04, 2005, 06:00:10 PM
I have a small crack on the top of my fiberglass radiator. Can I patch it with like a fiber glass patch kit? It is just along the top. Nothing else is wrong with the raditor. WOuld hate to replace the whole thing and prefer not to use that inline sealer stuff.

Thanks,

Josh
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: mrfuelish on March 04, 2005, 06:15:25 PM
I would ruff it up and use some epxoy or j.b. weld on it,what have you got to loose.
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: prairie_dog on March 04, 2005, 07:37:07 PM
you could try the epoxy but if your rad cap works (keeps pressure) it probably won't hold. Antifreeze/glycol doesn't clean up very well so I doubt you'll get a clean surface for the repair you do what ever product you use.
Try one of those pick your part places I got a rad on one of those half price weekends, took me 1/2 total and cost me 20 bucks.

 good luck :)
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: ussexplorer on March 04, 2005, 08:33:57 PM
I don't know if I'm looking in the wrong spots or not. But in Idaho I can't seem to find anything for a sidekick. There was only one junk yard down in pocatello idaho that finally got a sidekick in. So if any of you guys/gals live up in the boise area and know a good source for used parts. That would be great.

Later,

Josh
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: shilly on March 04, 2005, 09:50:13 PM
I'd agree with fuelish and try the JB weld after a thorough cleaning.  It's pretty amazing stuff and certainly can't hurt. Another idea (if it's a small crack and not a major split) would be the old Bars-Leak. Either way, I'd be searching e-bay and the junkyards for a newer radiator in the meantime.  Best of luck!
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: LawDog on March 05, 2005, 12:04:27 AM
I don't know if any patchwork will hold for long at all, like prarie dog says, you're not just keeping liquid in, your also sustaining pressure.  Try it, but look for a new rad in the mean time.  Try Jalopy Jungle, they show one for $85 but maybe you could bargoon with him a bit.  Or, if the kick has something else you need, and its a U-pull-it yard make yourself what I call a "package deal"
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: tracker8wr on March 05, 2005, 03:40:10 AM
get another radiator and save urself the hassel of trying to find somebody to come get u and ur zuk off the side of the road when it goes the rest of the way. even better save ur self a worped head if u overheat it going down the freeway.
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: Bigzook on March 05, 2005, 06:15:22 AM
For those of you who say epoxy wont work I say youre wrong. Having said that it will probably just fail somewhere else after you patch it. I put a kick radiator in my sammie but couldnt find a drain plug anywhere for it. (it was missing). I used some of that 5 min epoxy and filled the hole. Been holding just fine for me. Best bet is probably to try and find a new one. Most parts stores can get them for a reasonable price.
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: bandit86 on March 05, 2005, 06:34:04 AM
cleanit thoroughly with rubbing alcohol, then roughen it up.  you dont want an antifreese film between two layers of fibreglass.  I would also get a lower pressure cap, like 2 pounds, just to keep the stress off the patch.
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: wildgoody on March 06, 2005, 06:03:21 AM
I used some 2 part epoxy putty, you
kneed it till it's gray and press it in, I
have seen this as gas tank repair also.

I replaced a Radiator with a new, tho
crapily made Brazilian one, only about
$100, but the aluminum crimped part
started to come un crimped  >:(  So I
crimped it back and used the putty on it,
been holding for over a year now, but
get it clean before you start, also take
a little bit of the putty and rub it into the
spot to clean it and make it stick better.
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: cj on March 06, 2005, 08:20:20 AM
My top tank split. No biggy just pulled it and took the radiator to a radiator repair shop and it's like new.
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: SnoFalls on March 07, 2005, 02:03:27 AM
Quote
I have a small crack on the top of my fiberglass radiator.
Josh


"Fiberglass radiator"??? Are you talking about the plastic overflow bottle?

Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: hcgalvin on March 07, 2005, 02:30:13 AM
Quote
I don't know if I'm looking in the wrong spots or not. But in Idaho I can't seem to find anything for a sidekick. There was only one junk yard down in pocatello idaho that finally got a sidekick in. So if any of you guys/gals live up in the boise area and know a good source for used parts. That would be great.

Later,

Josh


Hey, waitaminute

How'd I miss this thread.

I live in Boise. Here's a shot from this weekend even:
(http://www.granitepath.com/friends/kd7hcg/pictures/toyaxles/toyaxles3/DCP_6800.jpg)

So there are a bunch of us suzuki freaks in Boise.

I sent you a PM.. might be nice to meet :)

Heather
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: kansascitytracker on March 07, 2005, 05:30:20 AM
Theres alot of peeps on here from Idaho, that Napoleon Dynamite makes you all look kinda weird you know  :P Don't feel bad, I am originally from Minnesota and after Fargo, everyone thought we talked like a bunch of jerkoffs
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: hcgalvin on March 07, 2005, 05:35:23 AM
Quote
Theres alot of peeps on here from Idaho, that Napoleon Dynamite makes you all look kinda weird you know  :P Don't feel bad, I am originally from Minnesota and after Fargo, everyone thought we talked like a bunch of jerkoffs



Napoleon Dynamite? What's that?

I've heard the term lately around the forums, and on the news.. isn't it a movie?
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: ussexplorer on March 07, 2005, 03:52:07 PM
It isn't that i noticed there isn't suzuki lovers. Just noticed out of the few wrecking yards I called. Nobody had anything. Luckly hcgalvin gave me a small list of people to check with. Perhaps I can finally get a inside door handle. My small check list.

After the fuel pump.
Radiator, Water pump and timing belt.
New Tires. AKA need them soon.
cleaning of fuel injection and what not. Engine vac or whatever they call it.
Slow power windows. - just to lazy to grease them.
Bra/Seat Covers for looks. Seats are getting pretty torn appart.
Windshield
Touch up Paint on roof and hood. Peeling clear coat.

P.S. Looking for a 2.8 or 3.4L (cheap) engine for my wifes dead s-15 jimmy. This is my next expense on my list.

Later,

Josh
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: LawDog on March 08, 2005, 05:39:52 AM
Didn't that place I told you about have one??  Anyway, I might have a 4.3 layin' around for a Jimmy here in Buffalo....Heather, whose black kick is in that pick, that thing's TO THE MOON!
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: Natebert on March 08, 2005, 06:34:40 AM
The black beast is Walt's.
(he doesn't post on here much)

~Nate
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: kansascitytracker on March 08, 2005, 10:59:30 AM
Looks like the house/garage was built around the truck in the garage, that thing must be a hair off scraping.
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: hcgalvin on March 08, 2005, 11:03:49 AM
Quote
Looks like the house/garage was built around the truck in the garage, that thing must be a hair off scraping.


http://www.zukiworld.com/cgi/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=suzuki_talk;action=display;num=1110242240

;)
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: hcgalvin on March 08, 2005, 11:05:09 AM
Quote
Didn't that place I told you about have one??  Anyway, I might have a 4.3 layin' around for a Jimmy here in Buffalo....Heather, whose black kick is in that pick, that thing's TO THE MOON!


http://www.zukiworld.com/cgi/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=suzuki_talk;action=display;num=1109695517

:)
Title: Re: I have a crack on the top of my raditor
Post by: ussexplorer on March 08, 2005, 03:06:03 PM
4.3L for the jimmy won't really work without alot of changes. Including the 5 speed tranny. This is because it was a 2.8L. The 3.4 Bolts right in, same wiring harness, computer, etc, etc.  The 3.4L is the fast,  best replacement for the 2.8. Thanks for the idea though. I get told that lots.  Yes, I also know about the 350 swap. But with the 3.4L you get a 20% power increase while keeping everything else the same and still get good mpg.

P.S. It will be a while before I get to the radiator. About another month. Don't worry about the crack. It has been like that for like 2 years now. I just keep antifreeze and water in the back. Check it almost every day and top it off.  

later,

Josh