Leaking radiator

97C1500&84Z28 · May 18, 2005

My radiator is now leaking at both tanks where it attached to the cores. Can this be repaired or do I need to buy another radiator. This is in a '97 C1500 5.7L. 107K miles. I've been pricing around and the best price I got for an OEM drop in replacement was $235 including shipping.

Hotwire · May 18, 2005

My radiator is now leaking at both tanks where it attached to the cores. Can this be repaired or do I need to buy another radiator. This is in a '97 C1500 5.7L. 107K miles. I've been pricing around and the best price I got for an OEM drop in replacement was $235 including shipping.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

you can take it to a radiator shop for repair, they can install new tanks w/ gaskets and repair the leak fairly easy.

i don't recommend it, but you could try fixing it yourself by gently squeezing the aluminum tabs that hold the tank to the rad w/ a pair of pliers or something to better seal the gasket.

Norseman · May 18, 2005

For couple hundred bucks buy a new one.

97C1500&84Z28 · May 18, 2005

Does anybody know if it's okay to use a stop leak additive with Dexcool? I'd like to buy some time before replacing the radiator if possible.

Hotwire · May 18, 2005

yes, stop leak is completely compatible.

Norseman · May 18, 2005

Does anybody know if it's okay to use a stop leak additive with Dexcool? I'd like to buy some time before replacing the radiator if possible.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you use that crap you are gonna end up needing a new heater core as well. Just get a new radiator.

Hotwire · May 18, 2005

Does anybody know if it's okay to use a stop leak additive with Dexcool? I'd like to buy some time before replacing the radiator if possible.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you use that crap you are gonna end up needing a new heater core as well. Just get a new radiator.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

help me understand how stop leak makes you need a new heater core. is it designed to specifically attack heater cores? are the producers of stop leak working in conjunction with heater core manufacturers to help sell product?

I thought heater cores were aluminum cored/finned mini radiators just like what is on the radiator itself, how does the stop leak affect it differently than the radiator?

Did you have a bad experience with the product and just turn everyone off to a product based on your experience? Cause I'd like to know if so.

I've been under the impression that it's safe for your whole cooling system. Someone should notify the manufacturer of stop leak, namely Bar's stop leak that is popular around the world and tell them they need to start supplying heater core bypasses to all their customers to alleviate this issue. oh wait, they've been in business since 1947!! dayum, that's a helluva time to carry on a conspiracy against heater cores everywhere! Someone, quick, notify the press!!!

maybe there are stop leak employees situated throughout the world dressed to blend in waiting at parts houses for people to buy their products, follow them home, then come back late at night and tinker w/ their customers vehicles!! watch your back!!!

Autumn · May 18, 2005

Just my two cents worth, but here goes.

It may be just as simple as buying a new cap. When is the last time you replace the cap? When the cap fails, the pressure builds up and the fluid seeks the point of least resistance. A lot of times that place is the radiator, or the water pump or one of the hoses. A new cap is only a few bucks, but most people forget to replace them on a regular basis.

Autumn

Norseman · May 18, 2005

Does anybody know if it's okay to use a stop leak additive with Dexcool? I'd like to buy some time before replacing the radiator if possible.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you use that crap you are gonna end up needing a new heater core as well. Just get a new radiator.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

help me understand how stop leak makes you need a new heater core. is it designed to specifically attack heater cores? are the producers of stop leak working in conjunction with heater core manufacturers to help sell product?

I thought heater cores were aluminum cored/finned mini radiators just like what is on the radiator itself, how does the stop leak affect it differently than the radiator?

Did you have a bad experience with the product and just turn everyone off to a product based on your experience? Cause I'd like to know if so.

I've been under the impression that it's safe for your whole cooling system. Someone should notify the manufacturer of stop leak, namely Bar's stop leak that is popular around the world and tell them they need to start supplying heater core bypasses to all their customers to alleviate this issue. oh wait, they've been in business since 1947!! dayum, that's a helluva time to carry on a conspiracy against heater cores everywhere! Someone, quick, notify the press!!!

maybe there are stop leak employees situated throughout the world dressed to blend in waiting at parts houses for people to buy their products, follow them home, then come back late at night and tinker w/ their customers vehicles!! watch your back!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ok, have you visually inspected the "interior" of your cooling system after use of this type product? While these products do stop leaks, the system's I've seen after use of "stop leak" products are coated in a brown "sludge" which tend to clog heater cores.

I would definitely steer clear of is this stuff.

Your best bet is to fix it properly rather than load your cooling system with crap. I know it's not what you wanted to hear but it's true.

Raymond Lowe · May 19, 2005

Pull the upper shroud - a 5 minute job. Remove the two bolts holding the lower shroud on underneath but don't bother removing it out of the vehicle. You can just move it around enough to get access.

Carefully use a big pair of channel-lock pliers to tighten the large stamped-steel nuts where your engine oil and transmission oil lines go through the side tanks. You would be surprised how many GM rads leak here. Without pulling the shrouds it looks like the side tanks are leaking at the core seams. And frequently, you will find that those that are leaking are always the looser ones.

After that, add two GM cooling system sealing tabs into the radiator. You know; the ones that the manual says on every second page that you HAVE to add into the system whenever it's flushed, or any component replaced. They are made of an organic material and are harmless to your system. Any dealer carries them.

jhm · May 19, 2005

Does anybody know if it's okay to use a stop leak additive with Dexcool? I'd like to buy some time before replacing the radiator if possible.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you use that crap you are gonna end up needing a new heater core as well. Just get a new radiator.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

help me understand how stop leak makes you need a new heater core. is it designed to specifically attack heater cores? are the producers of stop leak working in conjunction with heater core manufacturers to help sell product?

I thought heater cores were aluminum cored/finned mini radiators just like what is on the radiator itself, how does the stop leak affect it differently than the radiator?

Did you have a bad experience with the product and just turn everyone off to a product based on your experience? Cause I'd like to know if so.

I've been under the impression that it's safe for your whole cooling system. Someone should notify the manufacturer of stop leak, namely Bar's stop leak that is popular around the world and tell them they need to start supplying heater core bypasses to all their customers to alleviate this issue. oh wait, they've been in business since 1947!! dayum, that's a helluva time to carry on a conspiracy against heater cores everywhere! Someone, quick, notify the press!!!

maybe there are stop leak employees situated throughout the world dressed to blend in waiting at parts houses for people to buy their products, follow them home, then come back late at night and tinker w/ their customers vehicles!! watch your back!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ok, have you visually inspected the "interior" of your cooling system after use of this type product? While these products do stop leaks, the system's I've seen after use of "stop leak" products are coated in a brown "sludge" which tend to clog heater cores.

I would definitely steer clear of is this stuff.

Your best bet is to fix it properly rather than load your cooling system with crap. I know it's not what you wanted to hear but it's true.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

All those stop leak products are for TEMPORARY use until you can get the radiator repaired or replaced. The stuff will definately plug up the heater core over time. Can't fix everything with a can of goo.

toyotatech · May 20, 2005

Don't use stop leak. Fix the leak. Get a new radiator. Don't fix the old one. If you put stop leak in a cooling system, it will end up in the heater core.

97C1500&84Z28 · May 20, 2005

Pull the upper shroud - a 5 minute job. Remove the two bolts holding the lower shroud on underneath but don't bother removing it out of the vehicle. You can just move it around enough to get access.

Carefully use a big pair of channel-lock pliers to tighten the large stamped-steel nuts where your engine oil and transmission oil lines go through the side tanks. You would be surprised how many GM rads leak here. Without pulling the shrouds it looks like the side tanks are leaking at the core seams. And frequently, you will find that those that are leaking are always the looser ones.

After that, add two GM cooling system sealing tabs into the radiator. You know; the ones that the manual says on every second page that you HAVE to add into the system whenever it's flushed, or any component replaced. They are made of an organic material and are harmless to your system. Any dealer carries them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After all the researching I've been doing, your suggestion is the best one I've seen. I'll look into it this weekend and hopefully that'll cure the problem.