2020 Tahoe PPV radiator leak fix

[20PPV]

Just thought I’d share my experience. Just purchased a 2020 Tahoe ppv (ex Texas Highway Patrol Tahoe) 142k miles. So far I have replaced both motor mounts, spark plugs, Wires, trans fluid and filter change, oil change. Good to go… or so I thought. I noticed a drip drip drip after a drive and the smell of coolant. I found the drip coming from the plastic tank on the driver side of the radiator. I assumed it was cracked so I ordered a replacement plastic tank from a company in Dallas for $30 dollars. Upon further inspection a few days later I noticed the leak was coming from the top of the radiator core where one of the passageways meets the end cap (slash circled in red). I decided to pry the plastic tank off and used a MAP pro torch and a low temp aluminum brazing rod to “weld” the gash up. I was going to also replace the plastic tank with the new one however I ended up ordering the wrong size (2 1/8in wide) and my radiator tank was 2 3/4im wide. So I used some permatex water pump and thermostat etc silicone to dress the old gasket and reused the old plastic tank. This is my first time trying to fix a radiator. I am leaving it over night so the permatex will dry properly and tomorrow I will apply vacuum to see if it is all sealed up. Will update. I briefly considered buying a new radiator. And then I saw that an oem one cost $600 at the dealer. $450 at rock auto and while that is less than at the dealer. That is STILL $450. so if this works I will have cost me about $20 for the fix. Fingers crossed

 

[HughW]

I have 2013 Tahoe with 200,000 . A small radiator keak developed and losing several ounces a week. I got some Bar’s stop leak and poured in the plastic tank and that did not work at all . Next I got. K-seal ans removed lower hise and drained the radiator then removed upper hose and put k- seal in radiator mixed with antifreeze That seemed to work but after a 1000 Mike round trip , there is a very small leak . Are there any recommendations : try another product or replace the radiator ?

 

[Sparksalot]

Just thought I’d share my experience. Just purchased a 2020 Tahoe ppv (ex Texas Highway Patrol Tahoe) 142k miles. So far I have replaced both motor mounts, spark plugs, Wires, trans fluid and filter change, oil change. Good to go… or so I thought. I noticed a drip drip drip after a drive and the smell of coolant. I found the drip coming from the plastic tank on the driver side of the radiator. I assumed it was cracked so I ordered a replacement plastic tank from a company in Dallas for $30 dollars. Upon further inspection a few days later I noticed the leak was coming from the top of the radiator core where one of the passageways meets the end cap (slash circled in red). I decided to pry the plastic tank off and used a MAP pro torch and a low temp aluminum brazing rod to “weld” the gash up. I was going to also replace the plastic tank with the new one however I ended up ordering the wrong size (2 1/8in wide) and my radiator tank was 2 3/4im wide. So I used some permatex water pump and thermostat etc silicone to dress the old gasket and reused the old plastic tank. This is my first time trying to fix a radiator. I am leaving it over night so the permatex will dry properly and tomorrow I will apply vacuum to see if it is all sealed up. Will update. I briefly considered buying a new radiator. And then I saw that an oem one cost $600 at the dealer. $450 at rock auto and while that is less than at the dealer. That is STILL $450. so if this works I will have cost me about $20 for the fix. Fingers crossed

Back in the mean old days, before the lava cooled…
We used to desolder the end tanks to rod them out and repair tank leaks. Tubes were resoldered much the way you did.

Fingers crossed your tank and tube hold pressure.

 

[Doubeleive]

good luck, if the repair fails you can always call 1800radiator or visit 1800radiator.com , they deliver and have a lifetime warranty.