First of all, my car is a ’95 XJS with the AJ16, 6 cylinder.

Long story short: My hands were oily and I dropped the plastic power steering reservoir (p/n CAC6853). The large hose nipple (for supply hose to pump) broke off clean and luckily in one piece. Rather than spend $150-$200 on a used part, I would rather try to fix it. Has anyone else been as stupid or clumsy as I and then successful at repairing one of these reservoirs?

I contacted Permatex and asked for an epoxy recommendation. Their reply was “Since this is mostly likely made of HDPE plastic, we do not have adhesives as well as epoxies that will bond to this plastic”.

I asked my local auto parts store owner, a very knowledgeable man, and he recommends a product called RAPIDFIX. Has anyone tried to this product or had great success with another product?

Thanks

 

Is this yours ?

Power Steering Reservoir

You may struggle - even if you get it stuck keeping it stuck and leak free is just a hassle I wouldn't want, I prefer peace of mind.

I've had some success with a product called UHU Plus Acrylit, it is designed specifically for plastics, works incredibly well on ABS and such, I used it re attach some new brackets to my XF headlights (which love to break) and 2 years on they're still stuck. I had a look but it's looking like it isn't produced any more, you may get lucky and find some.

 

Yes, that is the same as mine. I tend to agree with you. Thanks for your input.

 

https://www.permabond.com/materials_...lar%20solvents.

 

Hmm
There are a LOT of great 2part epoxies to choose from. Lots.

Just so I understand. This is the bottle (essentially) that holds the excess fluid? Not under pressure with a drastic flow...?

If you get two large tubes of quick set epoxy and take some 40 or 60 grit sand paper and rough the surrounding area. After, clean the surface with a solvent and get it VERY clean,,, I'd bet you can build up a patch that will be as strong or stronger than the existing and surrounding material. That's what I would do, especially if it's just the neck and especially x2 if the alternative is shelling out $150 bucks.

But that's just me. My coolant reservoir is sured up with high temp quick dry epoxy to close 2 pin hole leaks and for 2yrs, knock on wood, completely sealed.

 

The epoxy linked below is specified for shop oils. The substrate for any expoxy must be super clean and oil free. Jayjagjay offers up good advice and I would suggest you degrease before and after skuffing as to not create micro channels for the oil to hide while sanding.

The best way to fully degrease a resevoir like this after cleaning is to bake it in a trashed toaster oven. Power steering fluid will vaporize at 300f. ABS plastic melts at 392f but may soften a bit sooner. Its a narrow window in some respects and will need to bake a while. You would know it's done when it stops gassing off. Lot easier to do with an alu reservoir which melts at 700f or more.

I don't think its HPDE. It melts at 250F and power steering fluid can get to that temp in extreme cases.

https://www.loctiteproducts.com/en/p...ticbonder.html

 

Thank you, gentlemen. Based on your input, I feel more confident with a repair solution. If it doesn't work, just follow the little red trail on the ground to find me. LOL

Thanks again.

 

Yup yup yup

 

Give it your best, Either way you win. If you fail then you will learn something perhaps 5x more useful becuase it was impactful. If you succeed you learned a new skill and saved a few bucks. I know it's cliché but you learn way more from failing that from success provided you have the ability, time to reflect and impetus to endeavor again. I fail daily.

 

Do it properly. Drill it out and put a brass fitting in it.