97 Camry Radiator leak

On Dec 20, 3:29 pm, "lobo" wrote:
> Hi,
> Smelled radiator coolant and found a small weeping leak on the plastic top
> of the radiator. Not at the place where the plastic top joins the radiator
> but where the top makes a turn upwards. It looks like a cr-ack in the
> plastic and as I said the coolant iis just weeping out. I know that in time
> it will get worse.
> Wonder if epoxy on that area would help.?? Or just bite the bullet and get a
> new radiator.
>
> Carl

I posted a bit ago about cheaping out and trying a patch. I just
offhandly mentioned JB Weld, even though there are lots of other
products that would probably work as well or better. But, being bored
and stuck at home today, I did end up going to the JB Web site. They
have a lot more products than I remember...even one that will work on
gas tanks....

So, with the cavet that I don't know if patching will work. I don't
know if one of JB's products will work. And I have no financial
interest in JB Weld at all...although I wish I did, you might just
look at their Web site and see if you get any ideas. And, just so I
don't sound so much like a "shill for JB," even tho. I deny it, you
might try a local speciality radiator shop and see if they have a
cheap solution they would be able to do for $40...$50....or you might
try a local plumbling supply house and see if they have a sealer they
might recommend.

There is a "Marine Epoxy" that I use on PVC pipes that are in constant
contact with water that is fantastic, but I don't remember the name,
but the guys at the plumb supply warehouse turned me onto it. Anyway,
the JB site is:

http://jbweld.net/products/index.php
 >> Stay informed about: 97 Camry Radiator leak 

I had used Permatex's radiator epoxy once as a temporary fix while
getting a replacement. For things like this, I like to go to the local
NAPA parts store because they can get one the next morning if they
don't have it in stock. And they offer lifetime warranty. rockauto.com
however, offers better prices.

The one I used was the blue one on the left, about $5. Didn't see the
green one at Pep Boys:
http://www.permatex.com/products/automotive/specialized_maintenance_re...r/radia

If you're doing the work, it's a good time to change out all the
cooling system hoses and thermostat. I prefer Gates belts and hoses,
but always go with toyota thermostat and coolant (plus distilled
water).



On Dec 20, 3:29 pm, "lobo" wrote:
> Hi,
> Smelled radiator coolant and found a small weeping leak on the plastic top
> of the radiator. Not at the place where the plastic top joins the radiator
> but where the top makes a turn upwards. It looks like a cr-ack in the
> plastic and as I said the coolant iis just weeping out. I know that in time
> it will get worse.
> Wonder if epoxy on that area would help.?? Or just bite the bullet and get a
> new radiator.
>
> Carl
 >> Stay informed about: 97 Camry Radiator leak 

On Dec 20, 4:51 pm, timb... RemoveThis @mailcity.com wrote:
> On Dec 20, 3:29 pm, "lobo" wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> > Smelled radiator coolant and found a small weeping leak on the plastic top
> > of the radiator. Not at the place where the plastic top joins the radiator
> > but where the top makes a turn upwards. It looks like a cr-ack in the
> > plastic and as I said the coolant iis just weeping out. I know that in time
> > it will get worse.
> > Wonder if epoxy on that area would help.?? Or just bite the bullet and get a
> > new radiator.
>
> > Carl
>
> I posted a bit ago about cheaping out and trying a patch. I just
> offhandly mentioned JB Weld, even though there are lots of other
> products that would probably work as well or better. But, being bored
> and stuck at home today, I did end up going to the JB Web site. They
> have a lot more products than I remember...even one that will work on
> gas tanks....
>
> So, with the cavet that I don't know if patching will work. I don't
> know if one of JB's products will work. And I have no financial
> interest in JB Weld at all...although I wish I did, you might just
> look at their Web site and see if you get any ideas. And, just so I
> don't sound so much like a "shill for JB," even tho. I deny it, you
> might try a local speciality radiator shop and see if they have a
> cheap solution they would be able to do for $40...$50....or you might
> try a local plumbling supply house and see if they have a sealer they
> might recommend.
>
> There is a "Marine Epoxy" that I use on PVC pipes that are in constant
> contact with water that is fantastic, but I don't remember the name,
> but the guys at the plumb supply warehouse turned me onto it. Anyway,
> the JB site is:
>
> http://jbweld.net/products/index.php

Opps, I am running on like an old lady....Just was reading JB Weld
FAQs and they said something about a problem for plastics, which makes
no sense to me, since I HAVE used it on plastics, but just another
caution for you....Can you say "try a radiator shop..."
 >> Stay informed about: 97 Camry Radiator leak 

The Permatex radiator fix worked out well as a temporary fix actually.
I could have left it on there, but the new radiator came so might as
well.



On Dec 20, 3:54 pm, timb... DeleteThis @mailcity.com wrote:
> Some JB WELD would be a lot quicker and considerably cheaper. Not
> saying it will work, not saying it won't, but I'd be tempted to try --
> ask the parts counter folks for an opinion if you have a good parts
> store nearby.
 >> Stay informed about: 97 Camry Radiator leak 

timbirr.TakeThisOut@mailcity.com wrote:
> There is a "Marine Epoxy" that I use on PVC pipes that are in constant
> contact with water that is fantastic, but I don't remember the name,

West System Epoxy. Accept no substitutes.
 >> Stay informed about: 97 Camry Radiator leak 

lobo wrote:
> Hi,
> Smelled radiator coolant and found a small weeping leak on the plastic top
> of the radiator. Not at the place where the plastic top joins the radiator
> but where the top makes a turn upwards. It looks like a cr-ack in the
> plastic and as I said the coolant iis just weeping out. I know that in time
> it will get worse.
> Wonder if epoxy on that area would help.?? Or just bite the bullet and get a
> new radiator.
>
> Carl
>
>
>

Had a very similar situation on 95 Camry LE 4Cyl Auto radiator last
summer at approx 125000 miles.

Never smelled the coolant but noticed level dropping in reservoir.

I won't say that you couldn't epoxy it satisfactorily because I didn't
try, but our mechanic (independent & trustworthy) recommended
replacement and I went with his advice.
 >> Stay informed about: 97 Camry Radiator leak 

lobo wrote:
> Hi,
> Smelled radiator coolant and found a small weeping leak on the plastic top
> of the radiator. Not at the place where the plastic top joins the radiator
> but where the top makes a turn upwards. It looks like a cr-ack in the
> plastic and as I said the coolant iis just weeping out. I know that in time
> it will get worse.
> Wonder if epoxy on that area would help.?? Or just bite the bullet and get a
> new radiator.
>
> Carl
>
>
>
What a coincidence, my 95 just had a 1.5 year old radiator cr-ack in the
same place. I was just going to replace it but after reading this thread
I'm going to try patching it. Even if it only lasts for a couple of
months it will me a bit more freedom as to when I replace it.

Mitch
 >> Stay informed about: 97 Camry Radiator leak 

"lobo" wrote in message

> Hi,
> Smelled radiator coolant and found a small weeping leak on the plastic top
> of the radiator. Not at the place where the plastic top joins the radiator
> but where the top makes a turn upwards. It looks like a cr-ack in the
> plastic and as I said the coolant iis just weeping out. I know that in
> time it will get worse.
> Wonder if epoxy on that area would help.?? Or just bite the bullet and get
> a new radiator.
>
> Carl

Bite the bullet.

Ed
 >> Stay informed about: 97 Camry Radiator leak 

On Dec 21, 9:23 am, "C. E. White" wrote:
> "Mitch" wrote in message
>
>
>
> > What a coincidence, my 95 just had a 1.5 year old radiator cr-ack in the
> > same place. I was just going to replace it but after reading this thread
> > I'm going to try patching it. Even if it only lasts for a couple of months
> > it will me a bit more freedom as to when I replace it.
>
> Or a lot less becasue it failed when you were miles from home.....
>
> Ed

Yep, a failure is possible, but it is the kinda of stuff I used to do
all the time in my 20s, and honestly, never really had any problems. A
small seepage likely won't leave you stranded. Keep an eye on the
coolant level, keep a spare gallon in the trunk and watch the temp
gauge and you can probably go a few years.
 >> Stay informed about: 97 Camry Radiator leak 

On Dec 21, 12:21 pm, timb... DeleteThis @mailcity.com wrote:
> On Dec 21, 9:23 am, "C. E. White" wrote:
>
> > "Mitch" wrote in message
>
> >
>
> > > What a coincidence, my 95 just had a 1.5 year old radiator cr-ack in the
> > > same place. I was just going to replace it but after reading this thread
> > > I'm going to try patching it. Even if it only lasts for a couple of months
> > > it will me a bit more freedom as to when I replace it.
>
> > Or a lot less becasue it failed when you were miles from home.....
>
> > Ed
>
> Yep, a failure is possible, but it is the kinda of stuff I used to do
> all the time in my 20s, and honestly, never really had any problems. A
> small seepage likely won't leave you stranded. Keep an eye on the
> coolant level, keep a spare gallon in the trunk and watch the temp
> gauge and you can probably go a few years.

I used JB Weld it worked, but it took maybe 2 days to cure in the
cold, use the cleaner they recommend.
 >> Stay informed about: 97 Camry Radiator leak 

"Mitch" wrote in message


> What a coincidence, my 95 just had a 1.5 year old radiator cr-ack in the
> same place. I was just going to replace it but after reading this thread
> I'm going to try patching it. Even if it only lasts for a couple of months
> it will me a bit more freedom as to when I replace it.

Or a lot less becasue it failed when you were miles from home.....

Ed
 >> Stay informed about: 97 Camry Radiator leak 

1.5 year old radiator? shouldn't it be under some sort of warranty?
For example NAPA gives you lifetime warranty. (That's why I buy
there).

BTW, if you want to use the epoxy, make sure the area is CLEAN AND
DRY. I did use SAND PAPER to rough up the surface to allow the epoxy
something to grab on to. As I said, it was a case of temporary fix
while waiting for a radiator. (But the fix did look it's going to last
a while).

I'd use Proliance, TransPro, Koyo or ReadyRad (no SpectraPremium for
me) from your local store or:
www.napaonline.com
www.rockauto.com


On Dec 21, 7:23 am, Mitch wrote:
> What a coincidence, my 95 just had a 1.5 year old radiator cr-ack in the
> same place. I was just going to replace it but after reading this thread
> I'm going to try patching it. Even if it only lasts for a couple of
> months it will me a bit more freedom as to when I replace it.
>
> Mitch
 >> Stay informed about: 97 Camry Radiator leak 

Yeah, we all have different threshold of tolerance. So we consider our
own unique circumstance and make our own judgment call.


On Dec 21, 10:21 am, timb....DeleteThis@mailcity.com wrote:
> On Dec 21, 9:23 am, "C. E. White" wrote:
> Yep, a failure is possible, but it is the kinda of stuff I used to do
> all the time in my 20s, and honestly, never really had any problems. A
> small seepage likely won't leave you stranded. Keep an eye on the
> coolant level, keep a spare gallon in the trunk and watch the temp
> gauge and you can probably go a few years.
 >> Stay informed about: 97 Camry Radiator leak