tc 29d rear hood question

[dqdave1]

My TC 29D rear hood ( housing that holds instrument panel) has a crack in it. It is made out of plastic. Anyone know what kind of plastic it is made out of? I need to get some type of repair product to fix it. I thought I could drill a hole at the end of the crack to stop it, but it continued by the hole.

[jbrumberg]

dqdave1:

I am sorry that I can not answer your question, but I would like to know how/why the hood cracked. The reason for my inquiry is that I had an old Honda CRX Si and it developed a crack in the front cowling. Almost all the Hondas of that make and year also had similar cracks in the same area. Do you think it is a design issue? Jay

[Boomerboy]

dqdave1:

I, too, am currious as to why the crack appeared. I purchased my Boomer TC29D in 2000, endure the same summers/winters as you, but have not seen such an occurance on my blue baby. I have a neighbor that has a TC29DA purchased in 2004 and also shows no such problem.

I have seen on ebay various hoods and cowlings up for auction from the Boomer series. This may be a good source for you to resolve your disappointing problem.

Keep us informed when you work out the problem.

[Redneck_Randy]

Originally Posted by dqdave1

My TC 29D rear hood ( housing that holds instrument panel) has a crack in it.

There's one listed on Ebay.

eBay: Cowl for New Holland TC33DA or TC29DA Hood. No Reserve (item 190047455527 end time Nov-12-06 06:19:43 PST)

[dqdave1]

My tc is a 1999 model. Crack appeared about 2 years ago. Was not hit by anything. I assumed it was stessed do to improper tightening of the panel, but not sure this is reason. The crack is about 3 inches long now and growing. I look at many TC models when I have a chance and have not seen another unit with a crack as mine. Probably a rare problem. At first, I thought the rear hood was fiberglass like main hood. I have noticed that this rear hood is no longer available from CNH. It has been replaced by new part number. I wonder if CNH has changed material being used on rear hood?
Also thanks for ebay source, will look at it. I looked at the ebay part; it has been damaged from an accident. I noted that the rear hood shown looks as if it is made of fiberglass, unless the main hood left particles from it. My rear hood is black plastic and one shown in picture on ebay shows white/gray scracthes.

[daTeacha]

That cowl is from Corriher, a dealer with a good reputation here. I'm sure you could contact them via email and get details and maybe a fix for your problem.

[Boomerang1]

It is probably made from SMC (sheet molded compund). Kind of like mixing fiberglass strands with plastic and formed in a pressure mold. It can not be repaired with fiberglass, but it can be repaired with the proper materials. If done correctly, the repair will be as strong as new and undetectable. Auto makers started using it sometime in the late 70's. It was used on some of the body panels on the Pontiac Fiero.

[HeavyToy]

I do not believe that the rear cowl is "fiberglass" ("fiberglass" being a generic term for glass reinforced polyester resin and mostly a fabrication process) but rather an injection-molded part. Though glass fiber is used extensively for structural reinforcement in injection-molded parts, molded in all types of plastics, it is not typically used for parts requiring a good surface finish such as the cowling. The part is most likely what they call a "structural foam" (process of molding) part, which can be molded in many different plastics but is either a high impact ABS or Polycarbonate. They inject this plastic into a mold with a thick wall/cavity and then cycle an inert gas into the cavity so that it generates a core of bubbles through the walls of the part. These bubbles create a webbing of plastic that gives you the structural walls, but when it cracks the bubbles (voids) make it difficult for repairs as it not a solid surface to solvent bond together. You should be able to determine the type of plastic that the part is made from by removing the part and looking on the back/inside surface for mold codes, which typically will convey the mold cavity number, date-molded wheel and material (PVC, PP, PC, ABS, PE, PET, etc.) With this information you should be able to determine the solvent that will work to repair the crack. If you are not sure, post the codes and I will see if I can help you decipher the information.

[Boomerang1]

Originally Posted by HeavyToy

Though glass fiber is used extensively for structural reinforcement in injection-molded parts, molded in all types of plastics, it is not typically used for parts requiring a good surface finish such as the cowling.

So, the finished body panels on automobiles that are made from SMC (Fiberglass reinforced thermosetting compound), do not have a good enough surface to be refinished?

You should let the automobile makers know about this problem. They have been misinformed for almost 30 years!

[dqdave1]

After disassembly of hood I found that during assembly at the factory, the hood bolts that attach to cowl area were over tightened and this stress cracked the rear cowl. It is cracked all the way around the molded fastening nut. It is actually cracked on both sides , right side worse than left side.
The following numbers/ letters could be seen from with in instrument panel

SAE _ ABS - PC
CPC 670 Rev B

Also had part number on it.

I asked a body shop about it and they told me to use a Permatex product called Plastic Weld item # 84115 to repair it. Grind a "vee" along crack and fill.