Need support. Just found out my radiator is leaking

[iboughtatahoe23]

My 09 is leaking too. My Indi diesel buddy said he didn’t pressure check to find the leak because that blows the crack open. Then the customer is stuck with the fix right there, with parts sourced locally at sky high prices.

These radiators are susceptible to cracked plastic headers from chassis flex. Now, the OEM radiators are guaranteed for life though.

Ordered my GM radiator before the pressure test. Amazon had a torn box special for $187.11 for the 6.2L. Immediately after ordering it a notice popped up they could no longer deliver them to SoCal!?! A Quick Look online shows radiators just jumped 1-$2h this month. WTF?

View attachment 450677

It pays to shop around. If you’re in need of one fast, shipping time can make or break your budget and force you to buy an overseas special.

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[iboughtatahoe23]

Alright y’all here’s some pics. Can’t tell exactly where the leaks coming from I added coolant up to the fill line last night after letting it cool down and it looks like it went down a little bit(coolant level). If I squeeze the hoses, the fluid in the reservoir goes up and down, and I don’t see it gushing out anywhere when I squeeze the hoses either so I think that’s a good sign? I’m also curious if I have an oil and trans cooler it looks like I have a trans cooler running directly to the radiator itself. I don’t think I have an oil cooler I could be wrong. I didn’t see any lines running from the engine.

 

[Fless]

I'm not familiar with that brand of radiator but be careful what you buy. Some of the aftermarket rads don't have the correct port reduction in the port that connects to the small hose that goes to the surge tank. Measure your old one (with a drill bit?) and compare when you get your new rad. They should be very close in size. If the hole in the new one is larger than the OE one the engine may not warm up correctly. It's been documented in several threads on here.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

it looks like my pictures posted in another thread for some reason?

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

Here’s a link to the radiator photos:

https://imgur.com/a/1EqrXKS

uploading pics on here is kind of a pain in the butt. Anyway, I refilled the tank after letting the engine cooled down last night came back out in the morning and it looks like it went down just a tiny hair. If I squeeze the lines, the fluid in the reservoir will go up and down. So I think that’s a good sign that hopefully the leak is not too big. I was gonna start it up and see if the leak goes out anywhere.

 

[petethepug]

The leak will likely be on the coolant reservoir or plastic portions of the radiator. When they leak it’s typically through a crack.

As the pressure in the system rises and temp heats up the pressurized coolant escapes and vaporizes leaving behind a whitish residue.

Run the truck with a/c on full, lights on and allow it to get hot, but not overheat. You’ll likely find your leak as the temp is creeping up.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

The leak will likely be on the coolant reservoir or plastic portions of the radiator. When they leak it’s typically through a crack.

As the pressure in the system rises and temp heats up the pressurized coolant escapes and vaporizes leaving behind a whitish residue.

Run the truck with a/c on full, lights on and allow it to get hot, but not overheat. You’ll likely find your leak as the temp is creeping up.

That’s the plan, but I’m just really nervous about accidentally overheating it. Thinking about grabbing a buddy and just having him sit in the driver seat and watch the temp. It hasn’t overheated yet.

 

[petethepug]

Yup, better safe than sorry.

 

[Doubeleive]

That’s the plan, but I’m just really nervous about accidentally overheating it. Thinking about grabbing a buddy and just having him sit in the driver seat and watch the temp. It hasn’t overheated yet.

these trucks don't overheat from a small leak, the coolant has to be fairly low like none in the reservoir
if you are trying to find the leak then you need to pull the cover off the top of the radiator support and get a flashlight and start looking around over, under, to the side, etc, etc.
might have to pull the lower splash guard off as well in order to see up in there.
if you suspect the radiator then check the sides really closely, the black plastic end caps are prone to getting a small fracture if there is nothing there then you need to check the metal fins and look for a redish-orange color tint spot, the front can be hard to see so you may have to unbolt the top supports and tilt it back.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

these trucks don't overheat from a small leak, the coolant has to be fairly low like none in the reservoir
if you are trying to find the leak then you need to pull the cover off the top of the radiator support and get a flashlight and start looking around over, under, to the side, etc, etc.
might have to pull the lower splash guard off as well in order to see up in there.
if you suspect the radiator then check the sides really closely, the black plastic end caps are prone to getting a small fracture if there is nothing there then you need to check the metal fins and look for a redish-orange color tint spot, the front can be hard to see so you may have to unbolt the top supports and tilt it back.

Yes, I’ve been watching some videos, but I allotted Saturday to address my gas issue, not being able to pump gas.

Tomorrow though… I’ll have a friend available to sit in the driver seat and then we can figure out where this leak is. He’s pretty good with cars and he can help me get that support off the top of the radiator and what not.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

So does anyone know if I can start this thing up without the EVAP system on? That is the charcoal canister in the vent valve. I would like to see if I turn the heat on full blast. If it will make the coolant leak wherever it’s leaking from. This morning I filled it up to the fill line on a cold engine.

 

[Fless]

There's no charcoal canister IN the vent valve. The vent valve on yours will have a remote filter but it's just a small breather case with filter media in it. Usually hangs up on the fuel filler tube behind the quarter panel.

You don't need the evap system to run the engine, so go for it.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

There's no charcoal canister IN the vent valve. The vent valve on yours will have a remote filter but it's just a small breather case with filter media in it. Usually hangs up on the fuel filler tube behind the quarter panel.

You don't need the evap system to run the engine, so go for it.

Yea I meant that is the charcoal canister and the vent valve not in the canister lol

 

[DodDel5-3-6L80e]

So I posted earlier about some gurgling noises under the dash and I figured it didn’t sound right because it was with the rev of the engine it would gargle. I got home and started inspecting the cooling system, and I found all my coolant all over my splash shield, and next to the radiator orange fluid everywhere in my coolant is nearly gone. I don’t know how this would happen. I thought I took really good care of my truck. I just got the radiator flushed and coolant a year ago not even

I just feel really defeated right now like I don’t know the most about cars like I just do what I can and now my coolant is leaking everywhere

My raiator leak was invisible and I could see leaked fluid. Replaced the radiator. Working as intended.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

My raiator leak was invisible and I could see leaked fluid. Replaced the radiator. Working as intended.

Yea if i can’t find it wouldn’t hurt to just go ahead and replace it I’m sure. They aren’t to expensive

 

[DodDel5-3-6L80e]

Yeah just replace it. Its not too hard to do. There are good videos on YouTube on how to change it. Lucky it is an easy fix.

 

[petethepug]

Yea if i can’t find it wouldn’t hurt to just go ahead and replace it I’m sure. They aren’t to expensive

They just jumped up in price 1-$2h. If you can order one off Amazon and they’ll ship it to you, they’re the least expensive for OEM, guaranteed for life.

 

[DodDel5-3-6L80e]

My Tahoe has the enhanced cooling package. I could only find it at the dealership for $700. I could have cut that cost almost in half if I ordered on line. Your radiator will cost far less if you do not have the enhanced cooling package. I do know that PPV and SSV models have the cooling package and not the LT, ect.

 

[Doubeleive]

So does anyone know if I can start this thing up without the EVAP system on? That is the charcoal canister in the vent valve. I would like to see if I turn the heat on full blast. If it will make the coolant leak wherever it’s leaking from. This morning I filled it up to the fill line on a cold engine.

yes you can all the fuel evap system is, is a system for smog/fumes, worse case you get a cel because it detects a large vacuum leak.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

They just jumped up in price 1-$2h. If you can order one off Amazon and they’ll ship it to you, they’re the least expensive for OEM, guaranteed for life.

Link??