[rigpig]

On the drama scale this is a 10+++, my brother decided to give me a hand putting the drive belt on after crank seal change out and when he bent over the radiator he put his hand on the small overflow outlet of the radiator top tank and snapped it off:headwall:. After much name calling and kicking of garage items we are (more me) now in the hurt locker of what to do. The damn thing seems really brittle??
Is this going to cost me a new radiator or can something be done where they can plastic weld something back in place??? What about a brass fitting from ENZED or something??
I live in Perth and any advice is welcome, even where to dispose of my brothers worthless carcass.

 

[Nizzbits]

There is loads of empty space in WA. Put him in his car with a hole in the radiator in the mniddle of nowhere and tell police he is missing and went 4wd ing weeks ago with no water. Don't do it until your car is sorted as you can drive his while yours is off the road.

On the other subject I think you are indeed in trouble. First call would be the local radaitor specialist and ask what they can do for you.

 

[MikeH]

It depends on the plastic, I broke a good radiator exactly the same way.
I'm going to try grinding down a brass fitting to shorten the thread so it doesnt foul on the cap, then drill the hole out to approx 2mm too small, then heat the brass fitting up and melt it into the radiator.
theres no pressure on it and nothing to lose.

I have done the same thing to put breathers on caravan water tanks before. (without the grinding)

Until then carry some coolant in a bottle with you and top it up each time it cools down.
I suggest driving over to your brothers place so your radiator leaves a puddle of coolant on his driveway, keep making him feel guilty.

then once youve fixed it change the coolant, install an extra washer bottle and leave a puddle of coolant on his driveway from the washer bottle every time you visit.

 

[taz2head]

I did the same thing, to fix it I bought a brass barbed hose fitting tapped the hole to suit the thread and then went to supercheap and purchased some glue suitable for gluing this type of plastic.Applied the glue screwed in the fitting all fixed, don't get me wrong I have had to remove the fitting and re-do due to someone leaning on it which caused it to start weeping but it seals fine. This is a common problem with these type of radiators, the alternative is to get a new top tank fitted $$$$$ cheers TAZ

 

[3.0turbob]

Did the same as taz2head. tapped the hole in the radiator (10mm I think), used vaseline on the cutting threads of the tap to catch any swarf,fitted a brass fitting with thread tape, re attached the hose and all good. That was about 2 years ago now and no problem.
Rob

 

[rigpig]

thanks for your comments guys, much appreciated, I'll give the fitting a go and by your accounts it should all be good. Last thing I really want to do is spend a pile of bucks on something like this especially this time of the year.
Cheers.

 

[Frosty1970]

I do the same every time I pull my duel battery out. I use a piece of steel brake line about an inch long and arraldite. Never leaked yet. (except when I drop the battery on it!!!) It's a PERFECT fit. Just don't push it in far enough to foul the cap seal.