2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Radiator Problems... HELP!

[C. Harlan]

Ok, the past couple of days, when the engine gets a little over normal temp, such as pulling or stop and start, I notice water leaking at the bottom driver side of the Radiator... I put a little stop leak in it for the time being, but do not know what it is. Can y'all chime in?? I know these radiators are quite expensive to replace, and believe the sides are made out of plastic. Are these known to seperate, or can ya slap a little JB Weld on there to cure it?



-Chris-

 

[markdixon]

In your post you said it was over heating in stop and go traffic and when you are towing. I would listen to see if I could here the clutch fan coming on and working properly.

 

[bmoeller]

Is the water coming from around the drain petcock and not the core?

 

[TKemper]

I just replaced one on the work truck. It was leaking from the drivers side end cap like yours. Took it to the radiator shop and they said the plastic ends can't be repaired. A new Modine radiator was just under 500. I think you probably could repair one if you took it out, cleaned it real good, scuffed up the plastic and metal and cover it in epoxy, JB weld or something similar. At 500 bucks it might be worth a try, but the company truck has to be relaible, so I went with a new one. Good luck, Todd

 

[C. Harlan]

It is not overheating, rather when under a load, like today when pulling the cow wagon to the other property, I stopped to get a soda, and looked to see the water dripping out. When left to cool down about 5-10°, it stops. . I am guessing it is a pinhole, and may get worse.

 

[Bill Lins]

Driver's side header cracked on mine also. The guys @ Four Seasons Radiator (they have a S. A. branch, too) told me that it is common on the old copper/brass radiators but hardly ever happens on the newer aluminum ones. I got a new one & no more problems.

 

[Silver]

Stop leak

A few weeks ago, I was changing the thermostat in my cj-5. When I opened it up, this nast jello-like stuff came out. Some of it was almost as hard as plastic. After seeing that, I decided I will never put any kind of leak fixer in my radiators again. I'm not an expert on whether or not it hurts your water pump, etc, but I know I didn't like what I saw.

 

[illflem]

The ground up aluminum Bars-Leak brand anti leak works excellent without gumming things up.

Check your radiator cap and make sure the line to your overflow bottle isn't clogged, these can cause the cooling system to over pressurize and leak.