So i need to epoxy some metal reinforcement to my radiator neck as they are known to crack on my car. Anyway i can find tons of posts online about all the types of epoxies people use on their radiator tanks. What i could not find was what the tanks are made of. I would like to know what they are made of or if it varies from vehicle brand or manufacturer. Thanks.
What are the plastic tanks on a radiator made of?
- Thread starter joegreen
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More than likely nylon, maybe polypropylene.
Many are a fiberglass like material
JHZR2
Staff member
I would imagine a glass reinforced polypropylene and/or polyethylene mix.
I'd recommend looking into using scotch-weld 8005 and doing it proper with the flame lick to radicalize the surface.
Refer to my plastic mending thread and read it all the way through.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3352919/all/Mending_plastic
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
I thought old soda bottles were used in the construction too.
when i take one off and it breaks it has layers and sparkels
Originally Posted By: Chris142
when i take one off and it breaks it has layers and sparkels
i found this article. i do agree with everything he says about repairing them.
http://intermountainradiator.blogspot.com/2010/12/fixing-your-cars-plastic-tank-radiator.html?m=1
if you reinforce one area it will eventully break aomewhere else. often where a hose goes on
Originally Posted By: joegreen
i agree chris but their is nothing wrong with my radiator. just some preventative measures. A common problem with a common mod.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: Astro14
Originally Posted By: joegreen
i agree chris but their is nothing wrong with my radiator. just some preventative measures. A common problem with a common mod.
I have the radiator out of my car and the pieces already made. Cost $3.50 total. My radiator is a newer nissens unit. The original behr radiators are known to have thier necks break where the hoses attach, look it up. I would not buy another behr, they are moving or have moved to china while nissens is still made in denmark. Mercedessource sells a kit to reinforce the necks. I made my own because i was replacing my thermostat and took out the radiator to clean it. Its one of those situations where you say while im here i might as well do this. Lets get to the point of the topic and discuss radiator tank material.
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My 1981 240D went over 240,000 miles on the original rad. Neck never broke...so I question the assumption, "are known to have their necks break" that prompted your question. I would say that cars with neglected coolant are known to have their necks break because the PH broke down the plastic.
https://genuinemercedesparts.com/parts/1...iagramCallOut=1
Looks to me like new is cheap and available....and mercedessource recommends that you either reinforce the neck or replace the radiator. So, according to your source, replace is a reasonable option.
Further, since mercedessource sells reinforcing directions, directions, why not just follow those directions? What difference does the material make?
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When I was hauling raw materials to the parts mfg's, they were made of nylon. I can't remember the specific product, but it was definitely nylon.
Polypropylene and polyethylene have melt temperatures near the temperature radiators operate so I doubt they make them from those materials. (Although I've been wrong before)
Nylon has a much higher melt temperature and is often reinforced with glass fibers.
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