Pro tip: My buddy's 'just use JB Weld' advice turned my engine into a lawn ornament

So my buddy Dave from work said I could patch a hairline crack in my intake manifold with JB Weld and it'd be fine for daily driving. I did it last Saturday in my driveway here in Phoenix, figured it'd hold for at least a few weeks. Well, I drove about 12 miles to get groceries and the whole thing split open right near the thermostat housing, coolant spewing everywhere. Had to get towed back home, cost me 150 bucks for the tow and another 40 for a new manifold from the junkyard. Dave just laughed when I told him, said I should've sanded it better and let it cure for 48 hours instead of the 6 I gave it. Anyone else ever get burned by someone's overconfident quick fix advice, or am I the only one dumb enough to trust a guy who drives a beat-up Civic with zip ties holding his bumper?

2 comments

2 Comments

oliviabennett27d ago

Well, I drove about 12 miles to get groceries and the whole thing split open" - that is my new catchphrase for describing my entire life decisions. I'm the queen of trusting the wrong guy with car advice. One time my neighbor said I could patch a radiator hose with a tube sock and a hose clamp, I actually tried it. Got three blocks before the sock melted and I had steam shooting out like a cartoon train. Dave sounds like a real gem, at least mine just felt bad and helped me push the truck into the driveway while crying from laughter.

nelson.gavin27d ago

My cousin tried Gorilla Tape on an exhaust leak and his truck sounded like a dying chainsaw for a week.