Should I replace this ?

Hey all, I'm assuming I have a crack in my radiator but wanted to get some opinions from here. It doesnt leak constantly and I'm not overheating. There is a small amount of coolant in my overflow tank still and I only notice it every now and then (mostly after it has ran and it's been parked for a short time. Any info would be helpful. Thanks a bunch !

 

Replace your radiator, cheap insurance.

I'm about to replace mine just cause, but I hate the varying heights listed everywhere.

 

You can get insurance on them huh? Havent seem that offered but I'm just looking to order online somewhere. Also, do I need the exact size or will any work ? I think there are 3 different sizes but apparently they all fit my truck it says

 

Check your cap first, make sure it's got a good seal and the coolant overflow hose. otherwise, Its the seal between the top tank and the core, it's going to fail eventually on you. maybe not now, but always at the most inconvenient time, right?

Also, your cooling system is supposedly a sealed system. if coolant is getting out, air could be getting in. only small amounts now, but what about down the road? the seal could gradually allow more coolant out or air in, causing larger air pockets to get in or evem cavitate and overheat. or on some random hot ass day, completly fail on you.

 

Lol

What I meant is, replacing the radiator is a cheap and easy way to ensure you don't have any issues that may arise from your slowly leaking radiator.

As for the different sizes, it's the height that had me concerned. I've yet to measure the radiator in my truck seeing as how I only drive it when it rains, and it hasn't rained in awhile.

 

Where is it leaking from? There are lots of places coolant can leak from. Just throwing parts at it isn't the most efficient way of finding fixing a problem.

 

Radiators are cheap and easy to replace on the older trucks. Few bolts and it slides right out. Watch out though if you have transmission cooler also built into the radiator. You’ll need to cap those lines so that you don’t get coolant intrusion into your transmission. (Ask me how I know)

 

This too.

 

radiators are cheap...

 

Or you could pressure test the cap and the cooling system. You can pick up a cooling system pressure tester for approx. $60 new, or half that used (E-Bay). Obviously a coolant leak is not good. If the system leaks it is not able to pressurize. When you pressurize coolant you raise the boiling point. This is a good thing. Test (or have tested) your system before purchasing parts to fix it.

 

So I’m confused. You say there is a “small amount of coolant in the overflow still”. Are you thinking you should have more or none? There is suppose to be some to the low line when cold and top line or past when hot. I would replace the cap ($15) after doing a check on the hoses and heater core. Are you getting fluid on the interior floor? While possible there is a higher probability of a leaking hose or fitting. Good luck.

 

There are no leaks in the system anywhere . I got a pressure test done. Just leaking at the top of the radiator and no other signs of coolant anywhere else

 

if it passed a pressure test, that's great. clean off that coolant, check/replace the cap and hose and see if the coolant reappears after driving it for a while at operating temp. who knows, it could be old from a top off or a little leak from the cap.

 

??

 

No leaks in hoses, etc just the actual radiator itself

 

It could be that pressure tests don't exactly reproduce conditions while actually running.
heat it up to 170-220 degrees, everything expands, and it may start leaking only then, while running.
or like i said before it could be old from the last top off.

 

have you had it in the shop recently? My truck was at the shop a few weeks ago and when i drove it home and parked it there was all kinds of steam coming from the engine compartment. I've never had any issues with this before so I was a bit surprised to see coolant all over the top of the radiator just like in your picture. I called the shop and asked them if they had topped it off and they did and must have spilled some in the process.

I cleaned it off and it hasn't come back.

 

As mentioned earlier, replacing the radiator is easy and cheap. Plus, having the peace of mind is well worth the time and money spent.

 

I patched my friend's t100 radiator with plastic resin or epoxy a few months ago because he was low on funds. It seems to have worked so far. I advised him to replace it as soon as he gets enough money.

 

Thanks everyone for the help. I have one more question. Does anyone have a picture of a transmission cooler thag would be built into the radiator. Pretty sure I dont have one but just want to confirm lol