practical to fix upper radiator hose neck?

[Erin]

Car in question is a 1999 mercury cougar but I suppose this could go for any car with a mostly plastic radiator.

A while back I replaced the upper radiator hose (oh are they ever fun to mess with on this engine) and the neck on the radiator where it attaches is not completely broke yet but missing some of the plastic.

I am not wanting to replace the radiator if I can avoid it. I do know it is a matter of time before it lets go completely. Is there any way to reinforce this neck and have it work reliably for a while?

Topic

[Chip]

I’ve never done it, but the first thing that comes to mind is J.B. Weld – that’s some pretty tough stuff – I just don’t know how it performs under heat.

[college man]

If I’m being honest With something under pressure I would replace it.
I’ve never seen anything fix something of this nature. Its not if it blows but
when it will blow.

[Chip]

True that. What’s the pressure on the cooling system, under load, at temp?

[Mike]

If, and only if, your radiator core is in absolutely pristine virgin condition, you might get a rad shop to replace the plastic tank for you. But then you’re in the position of deciding whether or not to replace the other tank as a precaution. It’s the same age and made of the same plastic.

A more sensible (and probably more economical) approach would be to replace the entire rad.

[Andrew Phillips]

Don’t take chances, replace the rad. Even though it is only the hose neck right now, the rest of the tank is just as brittle and could fail without warning.

[Cameron]

+1 on replacing the radiator with a new one immediately. It is a no brainer.

Don’t stuff around with some mickey mouse repair job because you are going to have to replace the radiator any way.

Or you can do your little fix and have the whole thing blow out on you and potentially cause 4 times as much cost due to engine damage from overheating. And it will occur at the most inconvenient time and location and most likely result in you having to pay to have your car towed.

Your whole engine depends on the cooling system operating so don’t compromise when it comes to promptly replacing what needs to be replaced with good quality parts.

[Ingvar]

I had very successfully mended plastic hose neck on son’s Eclipse. held solid for over a year till we sold it. But then again same radiator was NEW $40 plus shipping off e-bay. Truly, for that little money, was not worth it.
I used carbon-kevlar braid though and professional grade resin. Car was 95 and at some point, neck started crumbling, literally.

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[Author]

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