I have a small radiator leak at the metal screw on the drivers side that holds the bottom shroud down. Is there any way to fix that short of a new radiator?
I have read in the past that this screw will crack or puncture the plastic tank so I guess that's what happened.

 

Yeah the screw can easily puncture the top of the radiator. I had to replace mine for a leak in the same spot. The mechanic at British4x4 here in SA told me to use 3 small washers on each screw to keep it from being screwed in to far. That does little to help you now but for future reference.

As for how you can mend it. I drove with it like that for a while. I used Teflon tape around the threads of the screw and it almost completely stopped the leak until I could get the new radiator. I put the tape on and screwed it in most of the way then started the truck and let in fully warm up. Then I slowly tightened the screw down until the leak stopped. I have also heard of people using epoxy and other methods but Teflon tape won't harden and lock the screw in place and you can still remove it without damage if you ever need to.

 

Ok thanks jared. I have another radiator that I think is good but, I will try the teflon tape trick tomorrow and see what I get.
I will remember the 3 washer thing for the future. thanks for the tip.
I'm glad it's coming from there since I did my head gaskets a few months ago and didn't want to do that over.

 

I fixed a leak there with permatex orange rtv.

I just removed the screw.
Filled the hole with rtv.
Gently screwed the screw back in and let it dry.

I ran it 3-4 months (4-6k miles) like that before I replaced the radiator. It completely fixed the leak I just replaced it for that peace of mind. I like Jared's comment about the washers. Maybe a combo off washers and rtv would hold for a good while.

 

great thanks, I may squirt some rtv in there and put some teflon tape on and grind the tip off of the screw and use washers.

 

ok, I moped the hole out with q-tips, dryed the hole with a heat gun, filled it with orange rtv, ground the tip of the screw off about 1/8", wrapped the screw in teflon tape and put a couple thick washers on it and since I put the rtv in I'm gonna let it dry till tomorrow before I run it and then see what I get.

thanks for the tips! I'll follow up in a few days.

I check under my hood everyday since I did my head gaskets a few months ago and all was good till about 3 days ago when I noticed I was about an inch low on coolant, I feared it was the HG again, but after climbing under and finding a drip up front below the radiator, I then went up top, pulled the top shroud and there it was. Glad I found it and glad it wasn't the HG. Hope it holds... I'm trying to buy parts for the other one right now and didn't want to have to buy a radiator for this one.

 

I grabbed a plastic welding kit. Has he'd together so far.

 

Fill the hole with RTV sealer
or Aviation gasket sealer.
Then put the bolt back in.