Repair advice - radiator - daily driver

[NO LIFT]

Daily driver has a small leak in the plastic side tank of the radiator when cold. My guess is that when the car warms up, the tank expands and seals. Car doesn't overheat, a small puddle on the garage floor overnight.

Has anyone had success in repairing? Stop Leak? Epoxy? JB Weld?

Advice appreciated.

[GH85Carrera]

I have heard the only "fix" is the pull the radiator and weld it. That is only if the leak is in a place that the plastic welding can work. I have a copper radiator in my El Camino so I have no first hand experience with plastic tanks.

I would never use stop leak on a car I plan to keep. I can't imagine that any glue will seal the crack permanently.

[Scott R]

Depending on the car the side tank can be replaced quite easily. No "glue" is going to be a long term fix on something like that.

[EarlyPorsche]

My friend JB-Welded a side tank and used it for a really long time...actually it might be in use at the moment. Problem with the JB style repair is that you actually have to get in there and make the crack a little bigger and move vee shaped like you are actually welding - just so the stuff can bond properly. After you do all that you still risk the repair blowing out, overheating your engine, or leaving you stranded where you don't want to be stranded. Rest assured if it is cracked in one area it is likely waiting to crack in another. I would guess the core itself is also probably tired. I would replace her with a new plastic/metal radiator and it will probably be the last one you buy. Repairs just won't give you confidence.

[Head416]

I would replace the leaking unit and be done with it.

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by Head416

I would replace the leaking unit and be done with it.

Yup