Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Radiator leak

[Tom W]

I have been noticing a slight coolant loss for a couple of months. Last night I saw some antifreeze on the left side near the washer fluid bottle. I haven't been able to see just where the leak is but I'm sure it's in that vicinity. It has been leaking about a pint a week.



And before you ask - I'm sure it's not washer fluid and it's not leaking into the oil.





Anybody have any opinions about stopleak additives or should I go ahead and pull the radiator and get it fixed.



Thanks, Tom

 

[BDMiller]

Tom,



In my opinion you should do it right & fix the radiator, or wherever the leak is. Stop leak is at best a temporary fix & I have heard that it can cause damage to water pumps. I haven't personally experienced this- radiators are easy enough to replace so I've never bothered with stop leak.

Next time you stop the engine take a look & see if you can see where the leak is. Immediately after stopping the pressure builds a little bit due to lack of circulation. Listen for a hissing bubbling sound. It might just be a leaking hose.

Good luck,

Brian in NH

 

[Tom W]

Thanks Brian. That's the way I am leaning. I have to do a little more looking when I get a chance. I am going to pull the washer bottle to get a better look. It could be somewhere around the drain valve.

 

[JFinke]

They usually seem to crack where the tank is clamped to the core. I have replaced 5 or 6 that the flange on the tank cracked. If it is the flange you will have to buy a whole new radiator.

 

[Tom W]

JFinke, I hope that is not what's wrong with mine. What's the going price for a new radiator?

 

[Xgunfighter]

Check the plastic drain plug. Mine has leaked twice. Put in oversize 0-ring and cured problum.

 

[JFinke]

I get them at whosale price from a local radiator shop for about 310. 00. These are US made liftime warantee ones.

 

[CumminsPower98]

I would agree that there is a good chance the flange it cracked. Mine did this and I know of others who had the same problem (always on the driver side). I got my new aftermarket 4 row radiator from a big warehouse in Salt Lake City for $265.

 

[Tom W]

It looks like the flange. :{



Now to get the best deal.



Cumminspower98, can you give me name of that place you got yours?

Thanks

 

[CumminsPower98]

J-Mac Radiator

3520 S State St

Salt Lake City, UT 84115-4709 Phone: (801) 268-0919



I got the price I got through a company so I'm not sure you can get the same price I got or not. Retail was well over $300.





Mark

 

[Tom W]

I just ordered one from ( autoradiatorsdirect.com ) Price including shipping $242. I'll let you know what I get.

 

[Crazy Horse]

I just had a new radiator put in my wife's 99 Sport 1500. The truck has 22,000 miles on it. This is the 2nd late model Dodge that leaks coolant if it gets below zero. They said it is a common problem with Dodge design radiators. The 99 dumped a fair

amount out Sunday, all ove the steering linkage and into the fan shroud. It leaked at the r lower part of the rad where the side tank is joined to the core. Yesterday it got replaced under the extended contract.



This is the exact thing that happened to my 2000 2500 when it was brand new. Any time it would drop below zero the rad would leak at the l lower corner where the tank joins the core. If the leaking is slight it would just pool up where the lower mount is, or where it sits in the core support frame.



A NOTE TO DODGE,

I think it a pi$$ poor design myself. But it's a way for Dodge to keep cheapening up the product line. IT'S A SORRY STATE OF AFFAIRS WHEN A RADIATOR DOESN'T LAST LONGER THAN 3 YEARS, OR 22,000 MILES. These are the reasons I quit buying Fords in 99 due to "PP" quality. What next do I go to??? Chev, Toyota, Nissan .

 

[Big-D]

Same Feelings Here

I'm with you CrazyHorse for I feel the same way about the lift pump problems we all have encountered. It continually makes me wonder why (at the tune of 40 thousand dollars for our vehicles) our automobile engineers cannot design a product which will stand the test of time. No wonder Honda took over the market from our US auto makers. Now Toyota has seen the trees from the forest, but Chysler executives refuse to market the best possible machine money can buy. Our own economy will suffer in the long run.

Dave

 

[Tom W]

I got the radiator, ( autoradiatorsdirect.com - $242. 70 - free shipping ) looks just like the original. Installed in about two hours. Very satisfied with product, would recommend them, don't think you can beat the price.



Tom

 

[Foxtrotter]

fluid leak

I have a 1998. 5 and had a similar problem. Turned out it wasn't the radiator but a cracked engine block. There are some engines out there with a series #53 casting ID on them (located on the right side above and in front of the oil pain) that were prone to this due to bad casting at manufacture. Not to scare you but if the radiator checks out this may be worth investigating. BTW, dealer replaced with new short block at 86k, no questions asked.



Good luck!

 

[Chipstien]

Funny..... just tonight I noticed antifreeze all over the front end and my overflow bottle was empty. Radiator was down about a half gallon too. However it is on the passengers side that that it seems to be coming from. If I didn't know better I would say the puke bottle is leaking but I can't seem to find the leak. Looks like I will watch it this weekend and have a pressure test done on Monday.