Aluminum radiator woes - fresh problem

[Charlie207]

Fix one problem, five pop up....

while trying to trace a new noise under the hood during startup:

https://imgur.com/a/ygo2Ewa

I noticed a fresh and very evident coolant leak coming out of the end-tank to core weld.

And also the other is spraying more out via the cooling fan:

Cooling System - Radiators - Aluminum Radiators

Cooling System - Radiators - Aluminum Radiators

bigdogauto.com

That's the one I bought, and to their credit, Big Dog's c/s emailed me back in like 15 minutes with an RMA to Champion.

But, I have to send mine in first, which is a problem, as I need a daily driver for kids pickups/drop-offs.

 

[89Suburban]

Glad I just went with OEM.

 

[Charlie207]

Glad I just went with OEM.

Gloating is not allowed.

But seriously, where did you find yours?

I'm starting to look for AC Delco (that's the OEM, right?)

Or.... Buy literally the cheapest unit that works as a temporary part, and RMA the Champion.

 

[OR VietVet]

How old is the aftermarket all aluminum radiator?

 

[Charlie207]

How old is the aftermarket all aluminum radiator?

Ordered 2/16/2022, but I probably didn't install it for a week or two after receiving it because of winter weather. I could check my post history....

But, it's less than 18 months old.

 

[j91z28d1]

honestly, unless you tow or hot rod around and worried about needing the extra cooling. I'd grab a cheap auto parts store one, toss it in and return that and get your money back. that's pretty bad build quality to be leaking out of welds.

I can't remember ever having a auto parts store no name replacement fail any more often than anything else. plus I've found the air flow from quality fans makes more difference in cooling than a 1/4in thicker radiator core. I've got a 99$ autozone replacing in front of a decent camed 406 sbc that's notorious for overheating. never has an issue.

 

[Charlie207]

I just ordered a new radiator (will probably sell the Champion unit after RMA), water pump, pulleys, valve cover gaskets, thermostat.

Will be ordering more parts when my piggy bank refreshes.

 

[ScottyBoy]

I'm not saying this caused your issue, but did you use pre-diluted coolant? Or buy the concentrated stuff. I used the concentrated/undiluted stuff one time and I didn't mix it 50/50. I had probably 60-70% coolant and 30-40% distilled water. But then I developed 2 leaks less than a year or so later. Several people asked about the coolant ratio, and when I fessed up I was told that could be my issue. Something about the coolant being too acidic or something, so it ends up destroying gaskets, seals, and even aluminum if it is not properly diluted.

 

[Charlie207]

I'm not saying this caused your issue, but did you use pre-diluted coolant? Or buy the concentrated stuff. I used the concentrated/undiluted stuff one time and I didn't mix it 50/50. I had probably 60-70% coolant and 30-40% distilled water. But then I developed 2 leaks less than a year or so later. Several people asked about the coolant ratio, and when I fessed up I was told that could be my issue. Something about the coolant being too acidic or something, so it ends up destroying gaskets, seals, and even aluminum if it is not properly diluted.

I use the pre-dilluted 50/50 mix, but good question.

 

[89Suburban]

Gloating is not allowed.

But seriously, where did you find yours?

I'm starting to look for AC Delco (that's the OEM, right?)

Or.... Buy literally the cheapest unit that works as a temporary part, and RMA the Champion.

I got this one:

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-21725-Original-Equipment-Radiator/dp/B001SGY91G

 

[89Suburban]

Something about the coolant being too acidic or something,

I never heard of that.

 

[donjetman]

At the bottom of page 1 off the following pdf it states if the ph is too high u will get severe aluminum corrosion:
http://labcheckresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Coolant-System-Maintenance-Guide-FINAL1.pdf

 

[Doubeleive]

doubtful the radiator shop that has been here in town since forever (literally) and that repairs radaitors (all kinds) was pretty astute in stating that the aluminum radiators ALL brands, makes, models will leak in a year, if not shortly after. based on numerous reports on the forum and elsewhere online this appears to be the case with few exceptions.
I was going to have mine repaired but the leak was in a unrepairable location. (corner edge between where the flutes and tank meet)

 

[Foggy]

I've been running aluminum radiator for years and have never had any problems
like described.. I'm also a stickler for maint and which/what products I run in
my cooling systems. Most vehicles come from the factory with alum radiators
even though the side tanks are plastic of some sort these days..
I've had my all alum radiator in my stepside truck for over 12 years and and
all alum radiator in my Monte Carlo SS for longer than that..

 

[Just Fishing]

Ordered 2/16/2022, but I probably didn't install it for a week or two after receiving it because of winter weather. I could check my post history....

But, it's less than 18 months old.

ColdCase radiator?

 

[Just Fishing]

and i heard that pure undilluted coolant lacks the antifreeze properties until it's mixed with water.
I don't recall where i heard that, but it made sense.
I always buy that stuff and mix i with distilled water, I understand that the premix stuff is just plain water so eww etc.

 

[randeez]

I've been running aluminum radiator for years and have never had any problems
like described.. I'm also a stickler for maint and which/what products I run in
my cooling systems. Most vehicles come from the factory with alum radiators
even though the side tanks are plastic of some sort these days..
I've had my all alum radiator in my stepside truck for over 12 years and and
all alum radiator in my Monte Carlo SS for longer than that..

mishimoto here with no problems lol
can prob go check and see when i bought it been its been a few years easily
plain ol 50/50 yellow prestone probably premix

 

[j91z28d1]

doubtful the radiator shop that has been here in town since forever (literally) and that repairs radaitors (all kinds) was pretty astute in stating that the aluminum radiators ALL brands, makes, models will leak in a year, if not shortly after. based on numerous reports on the forum and elsewhere online this appears to be the case with few exceptions.
I was going to have mine repaired but the leak was in a unrepairable location. (corner edge between where the flutes and tank meet)

that's absolutely untrue.. I have run alum radiators in industrial equipment for years and years.. the well made ones never give a problem and these things literally never get a coolent flush till something leaks haha. and the fluid used is random, no one even checks it matches what's already in there when topped off. we've got red mixed with green here for some reason. one shop did finally get some attention when whatever they added turned the whole thing to gell inside a big one that cost a lot of down time removing and repairing.

the corvette boards are full of guys running DeWitt aluminum radiators. you let one of those fail in their lifetime and you'll never hear the end of it on the boards if a 800$ radiator fails. haha. I've got a used one off ebay from a front end wrecked car in mine,
it was packed horribly, looked like it fell off a cliff and actually broke off one of the small hose ends and the big ones weren't round anymore. beat those back round with a ball peen hammer, dropped it off at a radiator shop to have them weld the small nipple back on, pressure tested it and threw it in the car. it's been good 2 years in there, no clue on the miles but a decent amount, track day and mountain runs.


just because a radiator is aluminum is no excuse for it to fail any sooner than anything else. this is just shooty build quality.

 

[Charlie207]

ColdCase radiator?

Champion

 

[Doubeleive]

that's absolutely untrue.. I have run alum radiators in industrial equipment for years and years.. the well made ones never give a problem and these things literally never get a coolent flush till something leaks haha. and the fluid used is random, no one even checks it matches what's already in there when topped off. we've got red mixed with green here for some reason. one shop did finally get some attention when whatever they added turned the whole thing to gell inside a big one that cost a lot of down time removing and repairing.

the corvette boards are full of guys running DeWitt aluminum radiators. you let one of those fail in their lifetime and you'll never hear the end of it on the boards if a 800$ radiator fails. haha. I've got a used one off ebay from a front end wrecked car in mine,
it was packed horribly, looked like it fell off a cliff and actually broke off one of the small hose ends and the big ones weren't round anymore. beat those back round with a ball peen hammer, dropped it off at a radiator shop to have them weld the small nipple back on, pressure tested it and threw it in the car. it's been good 2 years in there, no clue on the miles but a decent amount, track day and mountain runs.


just because a radiator is aluminum is no excuse for it to fail any sooner than anything else. this is just shooty build quality.

may be the case for certain brands or use, and ya I'm sure not every single one breaks, but this shop has like 8 stations in there going repairing guess what? aluminum radiators
they could have fixed mine if it had broken pretty much anywhere else than the tank seam. they do a lot of industrial and farm equipment work