Is JB Weld Strong Enough to Repair a Broken Connecting Rod? Let's Find Out!

JB Weld Original is a terrific epoxy. However, every product has its limits. So, is JB Weld strong enough to repair a connecting rod that broke into 5 pieces? Let's find out!

Products Tested In This Video (in no particular order):

Videography Equipment:

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This video is only for entertainment purposes. If you rely on the information portrayed in this video, you assume the responsibility for the results. Project Farm LLC

[grantw.whitwam]

When I was young, the first time I saw a mower engine, I was and still am amazed at how the art of metallurgy has evolved to make things stand the forces involved in any engine. Engines are a miracle.

[hipstarchild]

if JB weld actually worked, I'd be damn scared of buying used cars.

[dustijones]

I repaired a radiator leaks on my truck over 5 years ago using jb weld. Haven’t thought about it in a long time until I watched this video yep still holding water hahaha

[michaelmichalski]

A trick to increase the strength of epoxies like JB weld is to bake them for a few hours. I usually do JB weld at 200-250F for 8 hours in high strength applications where it is appropriate. Often times I will clamp the parts, and cure it completely in the oven. Where clamping is not practical, I let if cure overnight, then bake. Ive also simply left them in a hot car in the summer. The nice (and sometimes bad) thing about complete curing in the oven is that the epoxy gets very thin. That lets it flow into all the microscopic pores scratches and imperfections, allowing better surface contact and helps eliminate microscopic and macroscopic voids. Ive considered curing it in a vacuum oven to eliminate the voids, at least for the first 30 minutes or so, but no longer have access to one. Heat curing can work well with other epoxies too. I used JB quick to put a threaded bushing into an Edelbrock carburetor and heat cured it and it has held up for many years in contact with gasoline. (its said that heat curing can also improve chemical resistance) For other epoxies however you want to change the cure temperature. I use the service temperatures as a hint. I dont want to go hot enough to degrade it, but hot enough to push the chemical reactions to completion.

[pcfred]

I'm surprised the engine could even cycle. Great attempt!

[cockasorrus]

You always do a great job and we realize the time you put into these videos!! Really appreciate you!

[RickaramaTrama-lcys]

As you said this was a little over the top but I have used it for over 50 yrs. for many different things and for what I used it for always seemed to work fine. A friend of mine stripped out his alternator tensioning bolt on his ford van and I filled the damaged threaded hole with JB and inserted the new bolt and hand tightened it and after drying all night he drove it this way for years until the van wore out.
Thanks for going the extra mile to show us this extreme and for always having a quality video~!!

[kennethh]

This is definitely one of the best YouTube channels on YouTube. 👍

[bearcat]

I (think I) remember any old MacGyver episode where he repaired a connecting rod with a silver coin, using a car battery as a welder. Try that.

[mwjdr]

I think brake cleaner would be better suited to really clean the surfaces because of its properties, it is not petroleum based and so it actually draws the oils out of the metals that are "soaked' into it. Brake cleaner is usually more of an alcohol based cleaner.The carb cleaner tends to leave a bit of (oily) residue on the surface of the metals and oils may tend to weep from inside the metal over time. That's why I always use carb cleaner when working internally and brake cleaner when external of the engine. Over time it will tend to continually break down the lubricating properties of any lubricant like grease, motor oils and such. I try and leave those qualities "in" the metal. That's just my personal findings over the nearly 30 years of wrench turning. Check it out n you may be surprised of your findings... Great vids. Have a good 1.

[servicemanager]

This video brought back memories of me and my Dad repairing a horizontal shaft Briggs. It was on a 1970's mini-bike. I ran it low on oil, the bearing went dry, the connecting rod broke and went through the side of the engine case. Although we didn't repair the rod, we bought a new one (small engine parts stores were more common back then) we did however repair the hole in the case using a piece of sheet metal, rivets, and a product that I think was called Aluminum Mender Magic. It worked and didn't leak oil. Oh to be a kid again. As always Project Farm, thank you for the great video and the work you do.

[McMinnManiac]

See it lasted 4 seconds, told you it would work!

[cohunterch]

This channel defiantly inspired me to get back to small engines. That and the need for something to kill time. Now I have 2 free mowers and counting.
Great content keep it up.

[geremychubbuck]

I once used JB weld to repair the broken spline on an output shaft for a 3hp outboard. It ran for years without trouble after the repair. I was impressed.

[BushcraftingBogan]

I’ve used JB for some crazy things, but this was a fun experiment! I love these videos.

[Corinthians-]

Lol. Heck no that ain't holding up. Now time to watch it.

[alexanderv]

Could you try running a two stroke engine with different fuel oil mixes like vegetable oil or canola oil and see If there's any damage

[bret_Lambky]

JB weld is really good, I have a 95 crown line boat that because of my own stupidity. I cracked an exhaust manifold. I cut a small V groove in the crack and filled it with JB. It worked great, I kept the boat for another two years and several trips to the lake with no issues!
I am sure it isn’t the solve all do all but it works pretty good!
Devcon works great as well!

[ctvxl]

It actually did better than I expected. I really thought it wouldn't last more than maybe 2 or 3 revolutions. Looks like it lasted many dozens of revolutions before it failed, which I think is quite good all things considered. Thanks for this. I found it quite interesting....

[michaelpaese]

Not trying to nuthug but, your test are some of the best tests I see I youtube. Complete and true tests simulating real life scenarios and the durability of products you demonstrate.