How to repair broken washer or coolant bottle-like plastics?

Krzysztof

Krzysztof

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Have anyone tried to repair broken washer bottle?

I mean to fill the cracks or fill the missing material (e.g. mounting brackets).

It is not only for E9 but also other BMWs as it was widely used plastic for washer and coolant reservoirs.
 
I've plastic welded one with a crack. Material is PE type plastic. You need a plastic welder to do it effectively, and get it watertight and nice looking.

Some hacks do exist, google stitch welding with a soldering iron.
Give it a try if you do not have access to a professional plastic welder.

If it is leaking, then you have not much to loose.
 
Sometimes I prefer to ask for tested solution as going into YT is really time consuming.

I'm wondering it can be done in a way the repair is barely noticeable?

"PE" probably stands for polyethylene?
 
So cheap and available why repair? 37 bucks.

P/N: 61661350871 URO Parts
Cross References:
  • 61661350871E
BMW 2002, 2002tii, 3.0CS, 1600, 3.0 Bavaria, 2800CS, 2800, 3.0S, 2002 Turbo, 2002 Cabriolet & more

$37.99
Reg
$39.57

in this case the Uro brand is better than the German ones that all arrive defective.
 
sfdon said:
So cheap and available why repair? 37 bucks.

P/N: 61661350871 URO Parts
Cross References:
  • 61661350871E
BMW 2002, 2002tii, 3.0CS, 1600, 3.0 Bavaria, 2800CS, 2800, 3.0S, 2002 Turbo, 2002 Cabriolet & more

$37.99
Reg
$39.57

in this case the Uro brand is better than the German ones that all arrive defective.
Click to expand...

I'm with you totally in case we're talking about usual parts.

I'm about very rare, barely available bottles.

I'm curious if it is possible to make them nice and usable if they have cut or crack due to accident or poor storage.
 
Indeed PE stands for Polyethylene. it's the material still used for many blow moulded fluid bottles; shampoo, milk etc, blow moulding is also the technique used to make the E9 washer bottle, and although I have never seen one, probably also the head light wiper fluid bottle.

As we have at our company one of these; i used this one with my washer bottle.

Benefit of this machine (others may do the same) is that it preheats the material with the tip, before inserting a molten strip of material in there, and then smoothing it out with the side of the tip. This bonds the material quite effectively. Be sure to use PE material filler rod for a good bond.
 
eriknetherlands said:
Indeed PE stands for Polyethylene. it's the material still used for many blow moulded fluid bottles; shampoo, milk etc, blow moulding is also the technique used to make the E9 washer bottle, and although I have never seen one, probably also the head light wiper fluid bottle.

Benefit of this machine (others may do the same) is that it preheats the material with the tip, before inserting a molten strip of material in there, and then smoothing it out with the side of the tip. This bonds the material quite effectively. Be sure to use PE material filler rod for a good bond.
Click to expand...

Good to know this is still thermoplastic material ("weldable").

Stevehose said:
I used slices from a trashed donor tank and filled/welded the crack with a soldering iron then smoothed it with a blow torch
Click to expand...

The hint to have a donor bottle (popular one) is very good in my eyes. IT give some level of certainty the material will be very similar in regards to temperature and mechanical properties to the repaired one.


Not sure if this is a good point to ask, but how to make PE to be white and clean as many of the bottles are yellow or even brown.

I watched some instructions to use a sand or rise with the dish washer machine pills and how waters. In the past I used different detergents and chemistry (e.g. engine bay cleaners) but the effect wasn't as good as I would like to.
 
The reason I went to great lengths to repair mine was that I like the slightly yellowed look vs a brand new bright white one, the latter would stick out in my "aged" engine compartment. Brake cleaner can be used ot get out the oil stains, I suppose sanding could be done to take the yellow layer off but not sure how the smooth finish would be affected?
 
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Stevehose said:
I like the slightly yellowed look vs a brand new bright white one, the latter would stick out in my "aged" engine compartment...
Click to expand...
I agree... ;-)

DSCN3026.JPG
 
Stevehose said:
The reason I went to great lengths to repair mine was that I like the slightly yellowed look vs a brand new bright white one, the latter would stick out in my "aged" engine compartment. Brake cleaner can be used ot get out the oil stains, I suppose sanding could be done to take the yellow layer off but not sure how the smooth finish would be affected?
Click to expand...

Agreed that the new bottles are obnoxiously white. I plan to soak my new one in a little turmeric water. Should be yellow for life. Just ask my food processor.
 
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