cracked rad.

[Touchdown038]

Well somewhere along my quest to fix my A/C, my radiator got damaged. It's a small crack, maybe a half an inch long right next to the cap. Not a big deal, but the coolant manages to go from the full line to the empty line in the overflow reservoir within a week.

My question is, do I need to get this replaced right away? Or can I just put it off for a while and keep topping off the coolant? Now is really not a good time to be pulling the fan shroud / radiator out, because I have no time. I have been watching it since last week, and the crack hasn't grown any, but better safe than sorry I guess.

So can I just get a temporary fix or do I need to replace?

[180fan]

try this stuff called quiksteel. I used that on my intercooler without a problem and another buddy of mine used it on his radiator too, just make sure the area's clean and give it time to harden before going off on it.

[Touchdown038]

Thanks for the reply... so where can I get quiksteel?

[180fan]

I got quiksteel at Kragens. Probably be able to find it at your local autoparts store.

[krazy skwerel]

I assume it's the same as JB weld. Thats what I always use.

[navysnail]

thats what ive used too

i wouldnt recomend that radiator stopleak stuff thoughsomeone put one of those in my mom's van and also mixed the orange (its a pontiac) and green coolant together, for a grand total of a ruined head and radiator

[Touchdown038]

Yup, I've heard bad things about those additives that fix the leaks, so I'm not doing that.

However, this quiksteel stuff sounds like it will do the trick. I'll give it a try.

[180fan]

Yeah quiksteel is a putty, not a liquid like JB weld. I thought about using JB on my intercooler but didn't like the 24 hours dry time and the liquid part so went with the quiksteel. 20 minutes and it dries hard as rock. Trust me I tried to smack it up against some rocks to see what would happen, yeah it's pretty strong.

[hotshot240sx]

yeah anything that seals within the radiator can actually clog it... so id go with JB like everyone else... and change it when you get the chance...

[NISTECH]

The real issue here is what made it crack in the first place? that usually happens due to extreame pressure in the cooling system. like a t-stat stuck closed or a radiator cap seal swollen.

[Touchdown038]

It cracked because I wasn't very careful handling it when I was getting the A/C condenser out.

Long story short, a small battle wound. I applied the quiksteel to it tonight so we'll see how it looks in the morning.

Thanks for all the help.