Radiator Question

[93Stocker]

My '93 K1500 5.7L pickup is slowly leaking antifreeze from the top of the radiator. It comes out from under the fan shroud and drips down the same side of the radiator that the top hose connects to (hose is not leaking). The pictures I've seen of replacement radiators all show what looks like one or two machined holes in the top of the radiator. Can anyone tell me if these holes exist and if so, what purpose they serve? Thanks for your help!

[fondupot]

Shouldn't be any holes in the radiator, since it's a pressurized system.

 

Can you link a picture you are referencing?

[93Stocker]

Shouldn't be any holes in the radiator, since it's a pressurized system.

 

Can you link a picture you are referencing?

The second picture down shows the top of the radiator.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Spectra-Premium-CU624-Complete-Chevrolet/dp/B000C7VZGY/ref=au_as_r?_encoding=UTF8&Make=Chevrolet|47&Model=K1500|454&Year=1993|1993&ie=UTF8&n=15684181&newVehicle=1&s=automotive&vehicleId=1&vehicleType=automotive

[fondupot]

Hmm. idk what the hole would be for. But it shouldn't affect the actual piping that the coolant runs thru. You can see the cooling fins below the hole. So its not a weep hole or anything.

[txab]

That top piece is a brace. The hole is for some fastener to attach to, I'd think. Your leak may be tank gasket(s) which can be repaired at any qualified radiator shop. Or you may have a tube leaking.

[93Stocker]

That top piece is a brace. The hole is for some fastener to attach to, I'd think. Your leak may be tank gasket(s) which can be repaired at any qualified radiator shop. Or you may have a tube leaking.

Thanks for mentioning the tank gasket, I'll try to follow up on that .... not much in the way of radiator shops in my area.

[joepres10]

Photos for ads most likely are just stock photos, it saves time for the seller when posting their web site. When looking things up they could be showing a ford radiator and your looking for GM. I would call who ever you were looking at

[barry G]

check the front mounts underneath, as those can scrub the side tank gaskets to leaks.

front rad support rides them, wiggles bounces and twists every move of the truck.

 

92.. I would expect it needing some freshening up underneath.

[rwhite]

Don't know if you got a new radiator yet or not but that one you linked to is correct if you have oil and tranny cooler lines. Not sure what the other outlet is for below the cap but the new one I just got from NAPA is the same. Came with a plug and hose clamp already on it. Works fine. BTW the NAPA price is the same as amazon and is the same spectra radiator. You can buy local and return if it's wrong.

[Cody Hall]

the two holes on driver side are for oil cooling the two on the other side are for trans fluid cooling and theres a vent under the cap that goes back to the external water box and the very bottom is the drain