Need support. Just found out my radiator is leaking

[iboughtatahoe23]

im reading the most common point of failure are the plastic end tanks however i didnt see any cracks

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

Only place I can see liquid or coolant is under the radiator in the little tray (think that’s what it is) and than some on the splash guard

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

I think I found it? Seeping through the side tank.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

The shop I go to is thinking the same thing. But we just looked around while it was running and noticed it was seeping. Now I’m deciding if I should order the radiaotor or not

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

Yes. Every hose and line. Match it with your year and model but verify number of ports.

Do you know what core thickness I am supposed to get.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

I squeeze the hose and there no pressure in system and coolant still drops after a drive, and after it cools down… those seep spots look the same. Not really justifying that much coolant loss (an inch or so under the full when cold line)

I’m kind of waiting to order because I wanna make 100% sure this is the right decision to make

 

[DodDel5-3-6L80e]

Do you know what core thickness I am supposed to get.

Negative

 

[EddieC]

I had a three year old Acura radiator spring a leak. It was nothing to drain and take it out and to a radiator repair shop. It was no big deal and didn't cost much *at the time). They boiled it out, soldered the leak and pressure tested it.
Honestly the hardest part was draining and containing the fluid avoiding contaminating the area but it worked out well.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

Negative

grabbed the thicker core.... now wondering if i should do my water pump as well.

 

[donjetman]

grabbed the thicker core.... now wondering if i should do my water pump as well.

and every coolant carrying hose on the vehicle if they are old.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

and every coolant carrying hose on the vehicle if they are old.

currently just the radaiator and got some metal t connetors


the hoses look and feel good.

 

[DodDel5-3-6L80e]

Good idea on the water pump. Now would be the perfect opportunity. I was surprised how easy this water pump is to install vs other makes. The 5.3l is super mechanic friendly- thank you Chevrolet.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

So Is watching a video for a 2014-2018 Silverado gonna work cause I can’t find a decent video that isn’t an hour long for my year Tahoe

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

Good idea on the water pump. Now would be the perfect opportunity. I was surprised how easy this water pump is to install vs other makes. The 5.3l is super mechanic friendly- thank you Chevrolet.

I hear that’s a little more difficult than the radiator because you have to torque down the bolts to a certain spec and there’s a certain pattern they go on I was told? And use paper gasket

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

watch it be the head gasket lol #totaled

 

[Doubeleive]

watch it be the head gasket lol #totaled

as far as options on radiators as long as it has a transmission cooling option the oil cooling option does not matter the lines would just not be used. so you can use it with or without oil cooling.
water pump I wouldn't even blink a eye at unless it has over 160k on it, then it's a matter if it is leaking or not. when they go out they tend to start leaking from the bearing seal which you will only see from the bottom with a flashlight and tilt mirror. Otherwise when they fail they do so in dramatic fashion like blowing out the gasket. seeing one with worn out fins (internal) is pretty rare unless you have been running straight water for a long period of time with corrosion eating away at it.

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

as far as options on radiators as long as it has a transmission cooling option the oil cooling option does not matter the lines would just not be used. so you can use it with or without oil cooling.
water pump I wouldn't even blink a eye at unless it has over 160k on it, then it's a matter if it is leaking or not. when they go out they tend to start leaking from the bearing seal which you will only see from the bottom with a flashlight and tilt mirror. Otherwise when they fail they do so in dramatic fashion like blowing out the gasket. seeing one with worn out fins (internal) is pretty rare unless you have been running straight water for a long period of time with corrosion eating away at it.

I got 178k on my odometer. No clue if it has been changed before. Doubt it

 

[iboughtatahoe23]

Soooo pressure test and some UV dye?

 

[Doubeleive]

Soooo pressure test and some UV dye?

naah, just look harder with a flashlight, take that splash guard off and look up.
and/or drive it and then park it over some cardboard, let it sit for a good while/overnight and then look up from the wet spot on the cardboard.