while i was looking around my car, cause i was getting this coolant smell. when i looked ans the back of the radiator i see the aluminum core rows maybe 2 or 3 are dented in and leaking but very little.
if i put JB weld on it, do yall think it will seal it up just for now?
i have no money to get this fixed right now.
what do ya guys think?

 

Do you have money to get it fixed if it blows out and starts dumping coolant?

You could be making a penny rich pound foolish mistake. It should seal, but probably isn't the best idea to monkey-rig it except to get to the radiator shop.

 

 

radiator is cheap, new motor is not

 

Yeah, aftermarket radiators are ridiculously cheap. I would go new over any type of repair on every occasion.

I recall a thread where the guy posted a link to an aftermarket radiator for our TL but is was actually the OEM, just re-branded...same manufacturer.

As was stated, sometimes the cheap quick fixes result in much more expense later.

EDIT - Related JB weld story. Last time I used that stuff was when I was much younger and dumber and was on a brake line (wrench touched battery and brake line), after almost taking out a gas pump you'd think I'd have learned my lesson. So I "re-welded," then a few days later, almost t-boned a semi coming off an Interstate exit ramp. I'm sure it has it's places in jimmy rigging for the short-term, but I'd never use that stuff as a permanent fix for anything.

 

i can get one in 2 and a half weeks...and its a very lite leak, think it would really cause that much of a problem?
i just heard someone say to just use that stuff

 

How long have you been driving with the leak?

 

We can't tell you if it's going to barf up all of its coolant on you. We can only tell you that such an event would end the engine.

You're not stuck in the bush... Get it fixed right.

 

probably since i had the car in may of this year

 

I broke the handle on my BBQ grill. JB Weld'd it back together and it held up great for many years until I tossed the grill. It was a perfect application.

Would I trust my life with a JB Weld repair (brakes?!?)? Nope. Would I fix the radiator with it? Yup, if I was out 4-Wheeling and needed to limp back into town or something. I've heard of guys fixing radiator leaks with raw eggs or crushed cereal, so there's any number of ways to get up and running again.

Could that repair last the life of the car? Maybe. Hard to tell. It all boils down (ha, no pun intended) to how much risk you're willing to take. If the radiator fails, you probably won't die. But you'll probably be inconvenienced and might end up spending a lot more to get back in good shape.

 

I wouldn't drive it if it were me, had a friend recently replace an MR-2 engine from overheating from a leak. He only traveled about 3 miles home and pulled over to wait for it to cool when it did overheat. Doesn't take much.

Recall another recent thread where a guy had a coolant leak, and I'm pretty sure he's looking at major engine repair now:

https://acurazine.com/forums/problem...urgent-938947/

 

If you have a small leak, at least use something like Bar's Leak or something which will temporarily seal the leak from the inside. It won't plug small passages, and is actually included in the factory fill in many cars. They come in pellets and chips. They are made from walnut fibers or something like that, and in the demonstration, they did not plug up a sieve when run through it... It works by expanding when in expelled under pressure when in contact with air, or something like that.... JB Weld won't hold if you seal it from the outside... The coolant pressure will just crack it...

 

JB Weld is a customer of ours and I was actually onsite. Their products are good but I had a good chuckle when I was there and someone called in to ask if JB Weld is good for rad repair. They do not recommend it at all.

Get the rad replaced.

 

That. Is. Awesome.

Guess that settles it pretty conclusively in my book!

 

seriously, if you dont have money for a $74 repair....you might want to consider trading the TL for something more economical...

 

JB Weld has radiator repair listed as one of the items that can be repaired with AutoWeld:
AutoWeld | J-B Weld

 

It might be ok as a short term temporary fix for an end tank or something, but I can't see it working well on the fins. Plus the coolant system is under pressure, so if it isn't perfectly sealed you'll still have a leak after you're done.

 

I dont see why you couldnt try it if youre truly going to replace it in two weeks anyways. But heed the overheating warning seriously. I destroyed an engine about ten years back by overheating it. It only took about one mile of driving and one long red light before I pulled over to let it cool. It was too late and I learned a very expensive lesson about cars that day.

 

Was in the same shoes a few months ago... Rad just had a hairline leak in the front so figured I'll just JB weld to reinforce it a bit and hope for the best... NOPE..


failed two weeks later...


Just go buy a DENSO radiator on Amazon and replace it OP.. don't half ass it.

 

I thought about you OP on my long commute home today.

I don't know where you are in life or where you're going. But, I've come a long way and wouldn't know a silver spoon if it were to hit me in the head.

I'm by no means poor, but, I've been been and lived at rock bottom several years and three degrees ago.

Why not gather something you are comfortable to part with either temporarily or permanently and go to your local pawn shop to gather the money to fix this and give yourself piece of mind.

If you can handle doing a little hard labor, you could offer your services on Craigslist. I've sought out and used Craigslist ads that offered moving assistance. Something to consider.

Sure, it's not fun to do that or deal with, but it's something I'd do again decades ago if I were in a position that would put my only ride on a permanent hiatus.

Just a thought man.

 

I appreciate the word man^^^

That link is a radiator for a Manuel transmission
Would there be any difference between and Manuel and auto, price is different and probably double in pricing

 

Dude please, I'm not even close to being a mechanic...but common sense & logic refers me to tell you...GET THE DAMN RAD REPLACED.


You could prove us wrong and leave it with the JB fix, but why even entertain the risk? WHY?

 

More Information for VARIOUS MFR AC3010144

what do ya think about this 100$n shipped
doesn't show me what kind.
i know its better then nothing,but then again dont want a shitty radiator

 

F it i just bought it from autozone Spectra they gave me a discount and lifetime warranty.

should i do like a tutorial even though its pretty straight forward

 

Good decision!

 

125$ lifetime warranty,
bought o2 sensor
new upper tranny mount
better drive brand new lol

still trying to figure out a shake while driving, hoping its that tranny mount

 

So while doing my radiator I look at the transmission mount and find this, I changed it out, think this can cause some of my shaking?

 

Changing passenger side mount tomorrow, then in a week or 2 changing the front mount, then slowly the rear

 

shake on acceleration only -> Bad axle
Shake at 50+ speeds -> wheel balancing
Shake at all speeds + sloppy steering -> Front control arm bushings

 

Whats the millage on your car?

 

about to hit 120k

 

Not sure if this helps any or not. But I had a good size dent on the radiator of my 1K GSXR early spring of 2013. I had to use JB Weld to patch it up momentarily, it actually held so well that I never bought a replacement radiator. Instead I bought a radiator guard. I ended up selling the bike last July. But it actually held up for several track day weekends and weekend rides.

In the end it's your choice. as everyone has stated, aftermarket radiators are cheap now. Good luck to ya!