I was just finishing up a final few things after replacing the headgaskets,....as I was moving the A/C compressor back to its mount I bumped the small tube/hose that goes to the top of the radiator from the recovery tank,.............and just like that...........the damn thing broke off.

There is a very short remnant of the plastic nipple that the short hose slips over remaining.................wondering if anyone has had success plastic welding, epoxy-ing, bonding, gluing, a replacement tube in its place.

Anyone else encountered this and come up with a reliable work around?

BC in Cedar Park.

 

Just get a length of 3/8" heater hose and cut the plastic tube back as far as you need to find a good section. But chances are good that there are no more good sections....the whole thing is probably brittle.

I've replaced all of mine. I originally had replaced a broken one with all 3/8" heater hose, but decided that I wasn't entirely happy with that solution (worried about routing, vibration and rubbing making it fail) and ponied up to AB for all new ones. If you're careful and mount/attach the heater hose well, you would probably be fine. I just had slightly more money than patience and was already placing an order.

 

Daryl, again, please read before responding. The nipple broke off the radiator!

 

There is no fix for that. The plastic on your radiator has become brittle with age and even if you could do a short term fix, it will blow again and you don't want to torch your engine.
Go to British Parts of Utah and buy one of their radiaror, also replace the t/stat and coolant pressure cap at the same time while flushing out all the old Dexcool and replacing it with Peak or some other god quailty coolant.

 

Bcollins, again, your tone is not appreciated.

Feel free to point out your own solution or that I missed something in context. But **** off with attitude.