2 Radiators w/in the past 2 yrs, & 2 Leaks?

[a_alyte]

I just noticed a small leak coming from the lower half of my radiator, the drips are falling from the bottom of the bumper! I've only had this radiator for 7 months now!

The radiator prior to the one currently installed sprung the same type of leak after about 5-8 months!

Any ideas on what could be causing these persistent leaks? Also, has anyone had any experience with those alumiseal radiator products (the ones that claim to seal leaks w/out clogging the sytem). I hate to have to keep spending $500 plus for new radiators!

[dksob81]

The leak you are getting is coming from where the Rad Core and side tanks meet. I had the same problem, if you got it from radiator expresss, it is under warranty, I would exchange it and upgrade for the all metal 3 row. Thats what I did and I haven't had no leaks. Or you could get some BAR'S LEAK STOP LEAK (with the rhizo pellets, I think thats how it is spelled) it will take car of the leak, I did that before getting the new all metal raditor. It stopped the leak, but then it made it look like the was oil in the Coolant...lol but not to worry it's just the bars leak.

[a_alyte]

If I end up purchasing another radiator I'll get it from rad express! The original radiator was plastic & I replaced it with a metal one. The metal one sprung a leak after a few months so I then replaced it with a plastic one which is currently leaking! Does the all metal 3 row radiator somehow prevent the Rad Core (where the side tank meet) from leaking, or is just a long shot?

I appreciate the info, I'm going through Rads way too soon!!

[dksob81]

No, all the 3-row does is allow better cooling, The all metal version should be enough to keep it from leaking, I have had my all metal rad for about 2 months now and have not had any leaks yet. The old plastic side tank rad I had started slowly leaking right off the bat, couldn't see it leaking but I had to add coolant about once every week (about a quart of coolant).

[Biigpuker]

You can use a pair of channel locks and squeeze the tabs where the side tank meets the core and tighten those up. Also have your cap tested and make sure it`s not building up too much pressure. Let us know what you do.

[a_alyte]

I replaced my Radiator cap first to see if it solved the problem, it didn't! I'll see about having the cap tested for the correct pressure, I've been using the caps from autozone. I also noticed that after a few months of using the caps from autozone, the inside of the cap looks a little rusted! Could this just be a sign of quality?

Right now the leak is not that bad (I know this will change w/time), it's not even leaking onto the ground yet, but what I'm seeing is a small trail on the very bottom of the bumper with a drip that looks like it won't fall!


I will continue to update on this!

[dksob81]

Have you checked to make sure the petcock (drain plug) was tight?

5.2L engines, the petcock is on the driverside bottum corner of the radiator,facing the engine.

On 4.0L engines is on the oposite side (passenger) facing the engine.

[a_alyte]

I spent all this money on new radiators when the problem was a leaky water pump! The pump was leaking from the seal (near the top) and not the weep hole, and the fan pulled the leaking fluid toward the front where it dripped off the bumper. I didn't consider the water pump because of the location of the leaking fluid! Now that my coolant is no longer leaking, I'm getting a small leak from the lower tranny line, I bought my newest radiator from radiator express & the threaded tranny fitting ended up getting stripped so I had a shop weld it togeter (not on the threaded portion). I tried getting a new fitting from the radiator express near my location but they couldn't produce one?