Hairline crack in plastic header on top of radiator.. NB 2001 LS

[twinbee]

On my way to work this morning white smoke started coming out of the hood. I have a hairline crack on the brown plastic header on top of the radiator.

I know there's gunk you can put on there.. Does this work? How long will it last? (long enough to get a new radiator online ? ) Brand name recommendations?

This is my primary and only vehicle so I depend on it as my daily driver.

Also, I know this isn't the parts forum but if anyone has a radiator for sale, esp an all aluminium one, feel free to PM.

Matt

[ken o]

Anything you try will probably not hold. The combination of heat and moisture will make it separate. They make kits but I would not trust it. Stop driving it and get a replacement asap.

Also, don't try adding any of the stop leak crap as it will also block important passages inside the motor.

This is interesting, melt it back together.

[twinbee]

I wouldn't ever pour anything in. I know there's "plastic weld" kits where you melt some new plastic on and that looked interesting. Not to be confused with JB Weld but I may also consider epoxy. If I do the epoxy that means I can't do the plastic weld.

I am planning on replacing the radiator, but in the mean time, I need to get to work!

[OZMDD]

You can try some jb weld, but it is better to just order a radiator from amazon or locally and get it changed asap. You can keep adding water in the meantime, as you probably aren't losing too much.

[POS Racing]

I've tried jb weld never worked all that well... YMMV

Call Track Dog and I'd bet they have a radiator in Stock.

Link - http://trackdogracing.com/

[Labora]

You can try and put some JB weld on it, might hold for a little while before the crack splits more.

[OZMDD]

Also, you can run with the radiator cap loosened one notch, which will keep the system form pressurizing. Might overflow at the cap at times, but will avoid making the crack worse. Good enough for a couple days in this weather.

[Rogue]

I have actually used JB Quik and it will get you by until you can get a new radiator, but the joint must be Clean/Dry and 180 sanded.

I blew a radiator in our '92 in LaGrange at 11.45 on Sat of 4th July weekend.
NAPA was open for 15 min and couldn't get a radiator for 4-5 days.
I bought all the JB they had and coolant. used a tube to fix the 6in split with vicegrips.
was back on the road in .45 and crossed the coastal plain to Rockport in 103* heat.
I intended to leave the cap loose, but when I checked at RKP it was tight.
Barbara drove it for 2 weeks like that, no issues.
I patched a brass radiator in my MGB w/JB and it lasted for years, until I sold it.

Clean and sanded!

Radiators in stock at 1-800-Radiator for $108
just south of 35E and 635

[gabkwong]

If the plastic is brownish/greenish color, the entire plastic piece is toasted! The new plastic piece should be drak brown color. Under pressure the plastic that you have may disintegrate and blow. You will lose all the coolant with little notice. I won't drive it much longer w/o a replacement.

[sammm]

I have one of these new in the box if you're interested...$80 is what I paid this past July.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Rogue]

I have one of these new in the box if you're interested...$80 is what I paid this past July.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Smoking deal and <30min to swap….Done!

You Save:

$371.38 (83%)

[POS Racing]

I have one of these new in the box if you're interested...$80 is what I paid this past July.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Is that an NB Radiator?? Amazon shows it will not fit my 2002 Miata??

OP's car is a 2001.

[OZMDD]

The one pictured is NA. All NB should be the same.

[sammm]

It's technically for an automatic, but one-size-fits-all. (NA, NB, standard, auto)

[POS Racing]

It's technically for an automatic, but one-size-fits-all. (NA, NB, standard, auto)

I don't think that is true NA and NB's Radiators are slightly different.

http://www.miata.net/garage/compatibility.html

[sammm]

^Maybe so, I always thought they were all the same.

[black roadster]

That radiator will not fit a NB 99-05. It is a NA 90-97 radiator only. We do have a stock style NB radiator in stock at TDR.

[Rogue]

Radiators are generation specific…..I'm sure Amazon has one for a 2000 for the same price but w/ shipping you likely can beat that by buying local with no wait.
All aftermarket replacements cool better for automatics, just disregard the brass cooling tubes.

I'll take that NA radiator Sammm, since NA's are better.

[sammm]

I'll take that NA radiator Sammm, since NA's are better.

It's yours.

PS-
Here's the NB version of that one...
http://www.amazon.com/TYC-2268-Alumi...Amazda%3Amiata

[wrx74]

I don't think that is true NA and NB's Radiators are slightly different.

http://www.miata.net/garage/compatibility.html

But he could use that spiffy double row radiator like you put in ViViD?