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10-10-2013, 11:56 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 142
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Coolant reservoir repair
The coolant reservoir on my '95 has developed a crack and I want to repair it. Has anyone ever done so with fiberglass repair kit? I have tried some various glue/sealers but haven't found anything that bonds well enough to the tank material (plastic).
Thanks,
Dave
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10-10-2013, 12:09 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,324
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They can be plastic welded but you might be time effort money ahead getting an aluminum coolant recovery tank.
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10-10-2013, 12:57 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 142
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Reservoior
I can buy a new one from Ford for $100.00 -- trying to save some money. Do you know if the FRP resin will bond with the plastic the tank is made of? If so, I can do a bang up job in the repair.
Dave
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10-10-2013, 02:06 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 3,384
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Go to harbor Freight and get a plastic welder kit for about $20.....or take a picture of it and head to your local auto junk yard, I'm sure you can find on there that is close...
__________________
2018 Allegro Bus 37AP
2014 Phaeton 40 QBH (sold)
2022 Jeep JLURD
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10-11-2013, 07:30 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 4,283
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I replaced the reservior ($110) because it is part of the system under pressure. Losing all coolant on a hot day... well let's not go there.
__________________
Full Timers.
2015 Fleetwood Discovery 40E on a Freightliner XCS chassis with a Cummins ISL9 pulling 1 and/or 2 motorcycles, '07 Honda Accord OR a 17' Runabout Boat.
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10-11-2013, 07:36 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Pasadena, Md.
Posts: 1,117
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Had success before with a Hot Glue Gun. Used as a quick fix..... I too would replace it.
__________________
CC..... Happy Rving!!
2013 Newmar - Canyon Star 3940
2021 Ford Edge ST
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10-11-2013, 08:31 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FL
Posts: 11,452
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Marine GOOP will stick to just about anything. Look it up. Available at most hardware stores.
__________________
Certified Senior Electronic Technician, Telecommunications Engineer, Telecommunications repair Service Center Owner, Original owner HR 2008
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10-11-2013, 10:42 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Southwest Pa
Posts: 152
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I used fiber glass repair to fix my window washer plastic bottle but the coolant system is pretty darn important. Fix it right ! Cheap fix could be major problems down the road.
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10-11-2013, 12:24 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 80
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coolent recovery container
On my 94 Ford I tossed the old tank and simply put a half gallon container in its place just cut hole for eldover flow hose in top doesnt need to be air tight its not under pressure just make sure the hose is under coolent. at all times.Held in the sam  e location as old tank with bungie cord. try it
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10-11-2013, 12:47 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Auburn, CA, Havasu, AZ & Mulege, BCS
Posts: 5,385
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The correct glue for poly type tanks is Flex Set by Marinetex. It stays flexible. I've used it on multiple types of plastic including some really slick stuff.
For a repair on a pressure tank, I'd clean the thing really well & put the mixed epoxy on the inside spanning over the crack & apply a goodly amount of it. Then I'd reinforce it on the outside with more epoxy & a patch of plastic flexible enough to work a bit. I frequently cut sheets off of blister packs when I buy stuff, some of that blister pack material is tougher'n, well, er, reallllly tough. So a patch made of that reinforces well when spanning over a break in other plastic.
Many of these coolant tanks are in a place they are exposed to sunlight. cover the tank after surgery if yours is like that to arrest UV deterioration.
__________________
Baja-tested '08 2-slide 36'
Alpine: The Ultimate DIY'er Project
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10-13-2013, 02:42 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 142
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coolant reservoir repair
A couple of days ago I decided to try FRP repair. The crack was about 12" to 15" long from top to bottom. I tested it today and it is holding perfectly and the resin appears to have bonded with the plastic extremely well .
I will keep a close eye on it for a while to be sure it doesn't fail.
I believe the tank is made of Poly Propylene (PP) and research did not have any suggested resins or glues, but I have done FRP repairs to several other types of plastics and had a hunch it might work. Time will tell.
Dave
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12-06-2013, 10:50 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 142
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coolant reservoir repair UPDATE
After several weeks and a trip I can report that the FRP repair has done the job.
No leaks, no delamination, just a good strong bond between the FRP and the tank material.
I thoroughly cleaned the area and wire brushed it to obtain a nice non-smooth surface for the polyester to adhere to. I first applied a coat of resin then the woven fiber and then soaked the fiber and removed all air bubbles.
jdr37
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12-06-2013, 11:07 AM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,777
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdr37
The coolant reservoir on my '95 has developed a crack and I want to repair it. Has anyone ever done so with fiberglass repair kit? I have tried some various glue/sealers but haven't found anything that bonds well enough to the tank material (plastic).
Thanks,
Dave
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Those plastic reservoirs degrade over time.
I repaired my a few times, only to have it leak in another spot.
My advice is REPLACE it!
Mel
'96 Safari
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12-06-2013, 01:17 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 142
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reservoir repair
The crack started in the area of one of the three mounting bolts that was putting some stress on the plastic. I believe the crack has reached it's end points but I will watch it and if it spreads beyond the patch I will replace.
This is not a sealed reservoir and any coolant loss from the radiator would be minimal at any one time.
jdr37
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