Expert: Octavio Torres - 1/4/2010

Question
The rear A/C housing on my Dodge/MB Sprinter passenger van is made of a rigid, gray unpainted and unlabeled plastic which appears to be PS or ABS. It cracked cleanly and I am tempted to use Oatey all purpose plumbing cement to melt the pieces back together, then reinforce on the back with epoxy, fiberglass, or a thin sheet of plastic. Is this a good plan, or should I try to weld it with a soldering iron as you suggest for mirror housings? Thanks.

Answer
Hi Doug, I have repaired many AC housings  and found ALL were made of Polypropylene. I think your's must be  of this polymer and somewhere marked >PP< if made after 1995. My suggestion for you is using the iron any way. If the iron works, no adhesive will work. Is the housing broken in mounting tabs? you need to reinforce with metal mesh. Is the housing broken in a place not subject to load. just weld and complete any missing part, no reinforcement required. Thank you