Why is my radiator cracking?

I replaced the radiator two days ago because coolant was leaking through the fins. Now there's coolant leaking through the fins on the new one. My cars not overheating so why would this happen?

 

Crazy question, but have you wrecked the truck and tweaked the front clip?

 

I haven't wrecked it and I don't know what the front clip is. Can you elaborate? I did get the AC compressor replaced recently if that has anything to do with it.

 

Pics?

 

Excessive Pressure ?

 

That's what I'm thinking. Maybe the new AC compressor is causing too much pressure.

I'll make a detailed video explaining things I noticed.

 

https://youtu.be/Hel2-1JbXpo




Here's a picture of it after a four hour drive from Vegas. Had no choice but to drive it back like this. The video is the new radiator but I cleaned the fins this morning so I can see where the coolant is coming from. It didn't start leaking coolant from the fins until after getting the AC compressor replaced.

 

The AC condenser and radiator are separate coolers.

If you had no engine overheating issues, than I see no way the ac compressor can be related.

Any chance the engine radiator expansion reservoir was over filled?

 

I believe it may have been the first time the radiator leaked. This time it is not.

 

where exactly is it leaking?

 

The aluminum fins on the top of the radiator

 

Ive had brand new radiators that have been damaged in the box...by fins you mean the tabs bent over that secure the top tank?

 

Is your radiator cap new as well? Maybe cap is not venting pressure when engine warms up

 

So funny thing the old radiator cap actually failed too. I had to get a new one because the old one had cracks on the rubber part of the radiator cap that creates a seal

 

I guess, the only option is a cooling pressure test. This will tell you if you have a bad rad or a bad head gasket.

 

it may have been bad luck. Parts now are shyte.

 

You said it started leaking after AC Compressor replaced...was this the 2nd radiator? Getting the compressor out is tough, maybe it banged into the radiator on removal/install and damaged the radiator

 

I had a shop change the compressor because I was in Vegas and I couldn't do it myself. It was replaced when the first radiator was still in. After replacement, that same day or the day after was when the leak in the picture above started in the first radiator.

 

Yeah that's true. There's ATF leaking from the valve where you connect the transmission fluid hose on the radiator so maybe the whole thing is a dud. Do you think I should get the cooling system pressure tested and engine compression tested before installing the new new radiator, just to be sure?

 

Please look up " pink milkshake"

I'm worried that the transmission cooler part of the rad has failed and is now leaking trans fluid into the rad or vis/versa.