Can i use... - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

ToyotaRulez · 12-29-2005, 10:23 PM

Can i use fiberglass to patch my rad?.. Its a 92 V6 Camry.

Its fiberglass to use on body.. but its VERY HARD!

Dave's · 12-29-2005, 11:04 PM

You can use bubblegum and it will work almost as well. Take it to a radiator shop. Had mine replaced for about $150 U.S. And he pulled it, replaced the top and reinstalled it.(That's less than your tow bill.) Radiators pressurize to something like 14-16 pounds per square inch. (Should be on your cap.) Don't think there's anything you can patch it with that will take that kind of pressure at the bond between your patch and the radiator material. Although I have heard of some people with plastic welding skills so I could be wrong.

Tommy · 12-29-2005, 11:14 PM

you can use a patch, but chances are it wont bond very well. Might make it another 20-30 miles before it starts leaking again. Camry Radiators are plastic, so not much bonds well to it. A new radiator is like $100 from whatever parts store, and its like a 45min job to do it yourself, not very hard, its like 2 bolts and 2 hoses.

Digger1 · 12-30-2005, 10:00 AM

Toy,

Like my Daddy says, "If you wanna play, you gotta pay!"

Sometimes you just gotta suck it up.....like the rest of us poor slobs.

Hajoca · 12-30-2005, 10:15 AM

You can use fiberglass patch kit, but those are intended as an emergency fix only... not a permanent repair.

Where in TO are you? there are alot of shops that will fix it right.

The weather is against you right now, and to have the fiberglass and epoxy bond to the rad tank properly it must be very clean (sanded down and roughed up) DRY and kept warm for the epoxy to set and cure properly.